Minakami Onsen Bettei Yaeno

The cooking is so refined that every dish is a surprise, and the food alone makes the stay worthwhile. This small inn has a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, just right for relaxing away from things. It's nice that children are welcome, and with the rooms separated, you don't need to worry about children in other rooms. There's no large public bath, only an open-air bath in each room, but you can still enjoy a soak. It was just the right place for a treat.

We came as a family and enjoyed the delicious food and welcome dessert. Service was polite. There are only four rooms, and check-in and check-out both happen in your room. With a private hot spring bath and meals served there, you can stay in without going out at all. The rooms are separated by a corridor with a decent amount of space, so you won't hear other guests unless they're making a lot of noise. There are hardly any shops near the inn, so it's a good idea to pick up anything you need at a convenience store beforehand. Recommended if you want to relax.

Beer in the fridge was free, which was a nice touch. I wanted somewhere I could be left alone without anyone disturbing me, and this place was perfect. Check-in, meals, and even the bath in my room all came with a view of the garden. I could nap on the sofa facing it too, in the sunlight coming through the trees. Check-out was handled in the room as well.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of November 2021, I stayed in the "Hanamomo" room. I'm posting this late because the inn was so wonderful that it stayed with me. The female staff member looking after my room was extremely kind, and I felt comfortable leaving the meal arrangements and everything else to her. With only four rooms, each with its own hot spring, we rarely crossed paths with other guests and could relax privately. I visited in early winter. The traditional Japanese-style room was clean, spacious, and warm. The large changing room was exceptionally well ventilated, and I was surprised by how fresh and dry my skin felt after bathing. The meals were excellent, and the chef's skill really came through in the distinct flavors of the meat, fish, and vegetables. One dish with burdock was the most refined and delicious burdock I'd ever tasted. Both meals were filling, especially breakfast, which included freshly cooked rice, side dishes, and dessert, even though the image showed only a small portion. I mentioned ahead of time that some seasonings make me feel nauseous and that I don't like them. They were considerate, and everyone enjoyed the meals. The beer and plum wine were delicious too. They apparently stock alcoholic drinks that pair well with the food. I'm no beer expert, but it's the best I've ever had. The price was quite high, lol, but I still vividly remember feeling that the warm service from pickup through farewell was worth more than the cost. A truly wonderful inn.