Kurokawa Onsen Ikoi Ryokan

The staff were lovely and friendly. I didn’t have time to visit the onsen, but there’s a free footbath out front, and you can buy eggs for 100¥.

The onsen works well for a day trip, and I spent an hour there. Towels are for sale, and they have shampoo, soap, and a hairdryer. The man at reception wasn’t very kind. I understand cultural differences, but a little more gentleness when speaking with visitors would make a big difference. Just something to keep in mind.

I only went to the public onsen and sauna, not the accommodation. This was my favorite onsen in town. The outdoor bath was the highlight, with four or five hot waterfalls you can sit under. They weren’t too hot, and you can see the Tanoharu River and its waterfalls while bathing. The indoor area also has hot and cold pools and a 90C sauna. Unlike most public onsen, this one had showers so you could rinse off before bathing. 10/10, highly recommend.

I stayed in room type Kokonoe, which was surprisingly good, and there are parking spaces for guests staying at the inn. The atmosphere around the several onsen pools was pleasant, though the pools felt a little small and the public bathing facilities weren’t enough. You notice that when outside guests arrive to use the onsen with their bath pass. The food was good, but meal times aren’t flexible. You have to follow the inn’s schedule for both dinner and breakfast.