Senzan Norikura

We only stayed one night, but really enjoyed the whole experience. The ryokan is a little dated, though the rooms were clean and the food was really good. Definitely try the A5 sirloin. There are four hot spring rooms to enjoy between the men and women. The tub is small, but three people fit easily. We’ll definitely come back.

The open-air bath was the best part of our stay. Great food, lovely hospitality, and a good place to stay too. Five stars, full marks. One of my best experiences in Japan.

The room (komakusa) was clean and comfortable, and I thought the food was top-notch. The bath reservation system was simple and clear, and I loved being able to soak quietly with just my family. I also noticed the board hiding the shutter rails in the open-air bath. It showed how much thought had gone into keeping the view clear. The owner, I think, and the landlady were incredibly kind, and I really liked the atmosphere. I visit a ryokan I’m curious about every month. I’ve been to Norikura, Shirahone Onsen on the hilltop, and almost all the milky hot springs around the country, but this ryokan was a real hit. It reminded me there are still plenty of great inns to find. I almost don’t want to tell anyone about it. Thank you very much.

I couldn’t stay because the smell was unavoidable. Even though the place has a no-smoking policy, I smelled cigarettes at the front desk and in my room. The building is quite old, so maybe smoke from years ago had soaked into the walls and other surfaces. Or perhaps someone was secretly smoking. There could be various reasons, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone sensitive to smells. I also think it could be hard to adjust if you’re used to ryokans with toilets and sinks. Norikura seems to have a lot of traditional inns, so choosing one can be tricky. If you want a really inn-like experience, I recommend Shirahone Onsen. I’d spent two nights at Shirahone Onsen and Norikura, then chose this reasonably priced inn for my final day. Senzan Norikura is a ryokan on the Norikura Plateau.