SOIL Nagatoyumoto - Hostel

The location and facilities were both wonderful, and everything was exceptionally clean with a consistent, thoughtful design. The staff were friendly and accommodating. I liked it so much that I considered cancelling my other plans to spend more time here.

The hotel sits in a peaceful spot beside a river, and its sound made the setting especially lovely. Our room won us over as soon as we walked in: elegant, refined decor, a calm feel, and everything we needed to relax. The bed looked out over the river, so we didn’t miss having a TV. There was also a patio facing another view, a lovely place to sit and listen to the water. Everyone welcomed us warmly and was keen to help us make the most of our stay, with advice and research. The hotel also offers electric bikes, an internal sauna, access to the public Osen in the neighboring building, and yukata for the three-minute walk there. We had lunch at the Italian restaurant, an unexpectedly interesting experience with Japanese-made Italian food. For European guests, the dishes are small portions, which I suppose reflects the custom of sharing several plates and tasting them. That worked well for us, and the food was very good. We were so glad to find this hotel and discover the region’s charm. We highly recommend it and will definitely come back.

The room was spacious, the view was beautiful, and the staff were really friendly. The lot in front of the hotel was full, so one staff member came out to direct us to another parking area and helped bring in our bags. We may have parked incorrectly, since we had to pay ¥650 at checkout. I’d ask staff about parking before leaving. The hotel accepts tattoos as long as you follow its rules and guidelines, which is a nice perk. I’d come back for the lovely setting, but I’d skip the onsen next time. There were little boys in the women’s bath. The other people didn’t seem bothered, so perhaps it’s a cultural difference. In my culture, the most I’d expect is younger boys in the women’s bathroom, so I found it a little odd and left when they got in. People were also quite noisy, shouting in the bath. I left early and didn’t get to finish my skincare or dry my hair. Maybe that’s normal at an onsen, but the ones I’ve visited before were all respectful.

The room was immaculate and thoughtfully laid out, with a cozy nook looking over the river. The shower room had a high ceiling, too. The town is beautiful, with red bridges over the river that light up at night. The hotel gives you free entry to an onsen with above-average sulfuric water at 39°C. The staff were incredibly kind, patient, and helpful. I don’t speak Japanese, but they explained things in excellent English, including details about the hotel, town, onsen, and restaurants. They even researched specific public transport connections for me in this remote area. It takes some effort to get here from the next Shinkansen station, but that adds to its charm and hidden-gem feel. I loved my stay and hope to return.