Miyataya Ryokan

We had meals in private rooms, so my husband and I could talk freely. Even with all 10 rooms booked on a weekend, we didn’t run into other guests. There’s a large public bath, family baths, and private open-air baths, plus an elevator that makes getting around easy. This traditional inn was more than enough for us. We’d stayed at Sawado Onsen, ♨️Ryumeikan, and ♨️Maruhon Ryokan before coming to our third place, ♨️Miyata-ya Ryokan. A stay at ♨️Shima Onsen of a similar level would probably cost ¥10,000 more. It reminds me of ♨️Shima Onsen 30 years ago, when there was “nothing” there. I really hope it keeps its rustic charm.

The rooms have good amenities, the food was delicious and generous, and the spring water is a little lukewarm. Since the bath stays open all day and night, you can soak for a long time. The inn is right in front of the Sawando Onsen bus stop, and it’s a great place to relax. I recommend the private open-air bath, though you need to reserve it and only get 40 minutes. My one letdown was the open-air bath beside the large communal bath. It had a strong petroleum smell, perhaps from a nearby boiler, so I couldn’t fully enjoy the sulfate spring scent. The private open-air bath didn’t have that issue.

2025.11.20. The food I’d been looking forward to was really good. I finished all the tasty broth from the simmered dishes and hot pot, and ate the whole baked dish made with one entire apple. I was so full it hurt. Breakfast came with rice and, for some reason, porridge too. I ate both and was stuffed again. I’m giving five stars to show my support. The inn faces the road and looks like a two-story building from outside, but the guest facilities extend across three floors, with the entrance on the second. Rooms are on the first and second floors, and there are more than 10 in total, though about half are currently unused due to staff shortages. The baths are in the basement, and there’s an elevator. They kindly let me park my motorcycle beside the covered entrance, which was a big help. My room had eight tatami mats, a washbasin, shower toilet, and a sunroom. It was well cared for, but the fraying, worn tatami really bothered me. Judging from the frayed surface, I think it may be paper tatami, and I’d prefer igusa matting if possible. The bathing options include a large bath, a reservable private bath booked at reception for 40 minutes, and a family bath that doesn’t need a reservation. I used the large bath and had it to myself both in the evening and morning, haha. It also has an outdoor section, but at this time of year it was cooler than the indoor bath from the outside air. There was a faint smell of burning kerosene from a boiler somewhere near the outdoor bath, which I noticed. Sawado Onsen’s source water is very hot, but the inn’s water, including the indoor bath, seemed temperature-adjusted and was comfortable, almost surprisingly so. I was also disappointed that the bath had rinse-in shampoo.

The food was nicely prepared and tasty, and I thought the price was good value. It was a quiet stay even though the inn seemed nearly full. The bath was clean, a little on the warm side, and I enjoyed a slow soak while looking at the autumn leaves. There was an empty room. My room had just a bed and looked fairly clean after renovation. The air conditioner was old, so winter might feel cold, though there was a kotatsu that could help. I’d stay again if I get the chance.