Yujin Chiyonoyu

The staff were so kind and accommodating! My room was very spacious, and you can rent a private onsen for a good price. I hope to come back in winter.

Meals were elaborate and delicious, though mostly vegetables, so I would have liked a little more meat. The room had a lovely view through its large, slightly old window. The spring water was quite hot but left my skin feeling very smooth. I also tried the private bath, Ichinoyu. It was spacious, clean on the walls and floor, and comfortable to relax in. The 40-minute limit felt about right. All in all, I was very satisfied with the stay.

We came as a three-generation family with our one-year-old, choosing this place because it’s described as a baby-friendly inn. The staff were incredibly welcoming, and we had a very pleasant stay with a child. The traditional, homey building seemed to have thin walls in places, so we worried about our child’s crying and running echoing. We appreciated being given a corner room, and the room next door was occupied by other parents, so we didn’t worry too much about disturbing anyone. It was our child’s first hot spring visit, and we used the private baths every day. There are three kinds, and the inn provided a baby bath and children’s body soap, which helped a lot. The 40-minute limit felt a bit short, though, and there was only one hairdryer in the changing area. There wasn’t one in the room. I spent so long drying my child’s hair that I couldn’t fully dry my own long hair. Another dryer, or one with stronger airflow, would make things easier. The bathroom floor was also a little slippery, and my child fell despite our care, so families with small children should watch out. Whether we ate in our room or in the dining area, the staff were attentive to our child, and we had a wonderful time together. The inn is near the center of Tamatsukuri Onsen town, which made it easy to walk to the shrine and enjoy the footbaths.

My first overnight stay in Tamatsukuri Onsen, even though I’ve visited many times. After choosing a colored yukata, I was shown to my room. It showed its age, but it was clean and the air conditioning was set comfortably. I’d booked a private hot spring and went before dinner. The water felt good, and I could relax. Dinner was particularly tasty, with lots of local ingredients and regional dishes. The little Iwami pork hot pot with sake lees and the mixed-grain zenzai stood out. I also enjoyed eating in the dining venue without worrying too much about people around me. Breakfast had plenty of choices too. Coffee after breakfast would have been a nice addition.