Ryokan Nanjoen

It’s right in the middle of town beside the information center, where you can get an onsen hopping pass. They picked me up and dropped me off at the bus stop, and everything was coordinated perfectly. I traveled alone and mainly speak English, but had no issues. The onsen was serene and lovely, and the staff were all warm and kind. Service, food, and location were perfect. I’d highly recommend it.

There was a family with a loud toddler and a screaming baby in the shared women’s bath, and staff didn’t insist they use a private family bath. The onsen itself wasn’t nice, and the kaiseki dinner was very average. Staff spoke virtually no English, which led to some miscommunication. It was a poor experience overall, although the town is really nice. I’d stay somewhere else.

Dinner was quite delicious, and there’s free parking next to the hotel. The staff are friendly, and some can communicate in English. Our room was a bit smaller than most other onsen ryokans we’ve stayed in, and the bath water had a metallic, rusty smell. Some English notices on cupboards in the room came across as rather rude. They basically tell guests not to touch the futons, pillows, duvets, and other things stored inside. Maybe the cupboards should just be locked. There’s also a notice asking you to take your shoes off before entering, but it isn’t phrased politely. Maybe it’s just a poor translation.

The location is central and right beside a large parking area, which is handy for onsen hopping. That’s the only plus for us. Service was very poor and made us feel like they only cared about taking payment and getting us out. The baths were a big disappointment, not very clean, with no view or sense of tranquility. Rooms with an onsen have only outdoor showers, so be aware if you’re going in winter. I think literally any other ryokan in Kurokawa has better baths. Our first-floor room near the onsen was extremely noisy, so I’d avoid that floor. The food was absolutely terrible, with very low-quality ingredients. It was the worst we’ve had in Japan, despite having visited many times and stayed across all kinds of places. Totally not recommended. There are plenty of nice options around.