Mashikokan Satoyama Resort Hotel

The food was very good, and the public bath was a nice treat. The pool water doesn’t come directly from a natural spring. The place needs renovating, though it was clean. English support was limited, and I wouldn’t recommend the traditional rooms on the ground floor. They didn’t have much advice about getting around the nearby towns, so you need to take taxis. English speaking visitors would benefit from a help guide in the rooms. There are some printouts at reception.

The staff’s farewell left a strong impression on us. After we checked out at 10:00 am and shopped for souvenirs, including ceramics, at the store by the exit, a group of staff waited while we used the toilets before getting back on the road. We were the store’s last customers that morning, and their service was lovely. We checked in on April 9, 2024, and had to carry our luggage up several staircases to a series of escalators one floor above, then take a lift to our room upstairs. The old furnishings showed wear, which disappointed me. Dinner was decent, and the public baths were fairly spacious. The next morning we saw waterfalls periodically flowing over the rock facade in the bath, a first for us after visiting dozens of onsens in Japan. Breakfast was simple but nice, and there was free self-service coffee near reception. We enjoyed our stay after all.

A young staff member made our two-night stay especially pleasant. She took the time to explain the hotel facilities in English, and we really appreciated the effort. The hospitality was warm throughout. We had lovely weather and enjoyed a peaceful, authentic stay in a traditional Japanese room. It was a pleasant and memorable visit.

I loved taking an E-bike out from Mashikokan for two hours, riding past rice paddies and along the river. There are also more than 50 cafes in nearby Mashiko, along with lots of pottery shops. For a ride, take the bus from Utsunomiya St. to Mashiko St., then a taxi for just five minutes. The staff were the kindest and most hospitable I’ve ever encountered. I booked a room with a private bath, where a little frog joined me in the outdoor shower. The public bath was lovely too, with its waterfall and boulders. Dinner and breakfast were amazing, so I’d add both at least once. For an authentic stay, choose Mashikokan.