Guesthouse Natoriya

I was looking for a solo stay with a hot spring and dinner only, and came across this place. I stayed on a weekend in early February 2026 and checked in around 4 PM. The private bath needs a reservation, and they explained how the bathing schedule works when I arrived. With only a few groups accepted per day, there wasn't much competition for space. The water was quite hot, so I managed about 10 minutes at a time. I went back twice more, late at night and early in the morning, even though those times weren't written on the reservation board. My room was Japanese-style with a kotatsu. There's a shared refrigerator at the end of the hall. At this time of year, drinks could also go between the glass window and shoji screen, which worked like a natural fridge. Dinner is served separately in a dining room with its own entrance. The toilet is shared, but every room has a designated space, so there was no overlap. You do hear a fair amount from the hallway in this guesthouse-style place, but I suppose that's to be expected. Dinner was very satisfying. I began with a medium-sized bottle of Sapporo Lager, then had horse sashimi, grilled salted amago trout, and chicken offal, all irresistible snacks for someone who likes a drink. After the beer, I switched to cold sake. The seasonal vegetable tempura included unusual grape tempura, which was delicious. It reminded me of apple tempura in Nagano Prefecture. The soba noodles at the end were delicious too.

We had a packed schedule on our first trip to Yamanashi, but the friendly owner made time for a great chat, and both my friend and I found the room comfortable and were very satisfied. Our plan included dinner only, and it was delicious. Next time we'd like to add breakfast. Thanks for helping make the trip so lovely. We'll definitely stay here again!

After dinner on our second evening, the owner came over to greet us and shared stories despite having limited time. They talked about inheriting the inn and their thoughts on running it. To me, the people who run Natoriya, especially the owner, are its greatest charm, even beyond the food. That close connection with the staff is lovely for children too. My child went to tell the owner, "The [dish name] was delicious," and they chatted kindly. My child was very happy. We used the inn as a base for sightseeing this time, and hope to return when my child is old enough to hike. We stayed two nights from August 16th (Saturday) with our 6-year-old. I'd read plenty of positive reviews, and the stay lived up to them. I don't usually write reviews, but wanted to leave one as a memento. The building was very clean, which made it feel comfortable and safe. I usually care more about the "soft" than the "hard" aspects of a trip. Other reviews describe the facilities in more detail. Our child especially loved the private bath. It had been a long time since we'd relaxed in a bath together as a family, and it became a cherished memory. The cuisine prepared by the third-generation owner is a big part of the inn's appeal. Since we stayed two nights, they thoughtfully served a different menu on the second night. That flexibility and attention to detail feel like a special benefit of a small guesthouse. We tried almost all of Yamanashi's local and specialty dishes here, which also saved us time looking for specialty restaurants when we went out. If you're after impeccable service and luxurious facilities, another inn may suit you better. This one gives a glimpse of everyday life in Japan, something that may feel nostalgic to people of the Showa generation. I'd recommend it to travelers who enjoy that kind of experience.

I just stopped in on a whim and wasn't expecting much, but the chicken offal and soba were so good I went back. The place has an easygoing, homey feel.