Fujiya

The food was a real high point at Fujiya Ryokan: delicious, high-quality, authentic dishes. I also loved the beautiful interiors, especially the tatami-covered dining room, and the well-kept indoor onsen with its nostalgic Showa feel. There’s a small outdoor standing area by the river that leads to the sauna, a peaceful spot to unwind. The central location in Kurokawa Onsen made it easy to visit nearby onsens, and I had a good stay. Still, for this price, Fujiya felt a little behind other ryokan in the area. Our Western-style room with two beds was notably larger, but had no view. It would have helped to know that when choosing a room. Fujiya doesn’t have its own rotenburo. Guests are directed to Noshiyu, about a five-minute walk away. The rotenburo there is atmospheric, but small and has no shower facilities. Staff hadn’t told us about the lack of showers in advance, which would have been useful. The staff member who served us was polite, but seemed short on enthusiasm. The non-Japanese staff attending other guests came across as more genuinely welcoming. Pre-arrival communication also felt less attentive than at other ryokan nearby, which matters for arranging transport or special requests. At check-in, they couldn’t arrange a drop-off at the bus station for the next day because we hadn’t asked in advance. That was fine, but they didn’t offer to arrange a taxi either. We had to ask ourselves, whereas most ryokan would offer that alternative. They could perhaps have asked about transport in their pre-arrival message. The design and location were appealing, but more consistent support and attention to detail would make the amenities and service feel more worth the price.

I’ve never stayed at a better inn in Japan. Fujiya offers single-room reservations, which aren’t common in kurokawa onsen. It isn’t cheap, but I thought it was well worth it. Dinner was luxurious and steeped in Japanese culture, more like artwork than a meal. The service was five-star, with nothing to complain about, and the rooms were beautifully decorated in Japanese style. The onsen is at their sister hotel, about a 10-minute walk away. Fujiya is a true gem, and I won’t forget my stay.

The house was beautiful and comfortable, and both the Japanese-style dinner and breakfast were delicious. I accidentally showed an order for another hotel that said I didn’t eat beef but my wife did. The staff kindly offered to change the menu for me. What kind service!

The meals were amazing, and I’d make sure to use the onsen at Noshiyu too. Guests at this hotel can use it, and I thought those baths were better than the one in-house. Our room was really comfortable and two stories, with space for up to 10 people. The upstairs beds were great, though watch your head around the low ceiling and beams. Next time I’d choose a regular room. At check-in I found out they were renovating, so the outside looked rough with scaffolding, and it partly blocked our river view. The river is where you can find the river stars this area is famous for.