Hotel Iyaonsen

We only stayed one night and left wishing we could have stayed longer. Both hot springs were beautiful, and the food was a lovely way to try local and seasonal dishes. The staff were so helpful and went out of their way for us despite the language barrier. It was a really serene, almost magical stay. Highly recommended.

The meals were delicious and showed off the range of local dishes. The river-side onsen down at the bottom of the Iya valley left my skin feeling as smooth as silk, and the cable car ride to it is famous in Shikoku. This is a wonderful Ryokan high up in the Iya valley. Getting there is the main difficulty, though that’s no fault of the Ryokan. Travel is hard because it’s so remote, especially if you’re coming from the north. The valley roads are very narrow, so take care driving in low light.

Paying a little extra for the private onsen by the river was a good call. We could enjoy the view at our own pace and have some privacy. The indoor onsen is also worth visiting in the daytime, the view through the window is amazing. The valley setting is beautiful, the food was great, and the service lived up to Japan’s reputation for hospitality. The hotel was being renovated, but it didn’t inconvenience us at all. In retrospect, I should have booked a better room: ours was on Level 3 right below the cable car. It was winter and got dark early, so the view wasn’t much of an issue.

The bedroom felt brand new and was very comfortable, and the outdoor onsen with its cable car ride was a real highlight. Breakfast and dinner were among the best we’ve had in Japan. The staff were welcoming, friendly, and a pleasure to meet. Thanks for your kindness and for making us feel welcome. We’re very grateful to Iya Valley.