Irori No Yado Hisago

At night, the stars are beautiful. The landlady was warm and welcoming, and breakfast, the only meal we ordered, was delicious. I'm trying to limit my salt intake, so it was especially welcome. I'd like to try dinner next time. We made our own beds. The bathroom had room for two people at the washing area, and we booked it for private use. The four of us slept comfortably, two in the loft bed and two on futons downstairs. We relaxed around the kotatsu on the first floor, and there was a free hot drink corner in the hallway. A DeLonghi coffee machine near the dining area served cups for 100 yen.

The food was the highlight for me. This is a real auberge, and it's hard to believe the couple prepare such elaborate meals on their own. There were about six other guests, which was fortunate since I would've felt awkward if they'd done all that just for me. The two meals alone were worth the lodging price. The ingredients and cooking were exquisite: edamame tofu, burdock and green tea soba, vegetable gratin with large shrimp, and a perfectly cooked boneless steak. Every dish was clever and skillfully made, and the new rice was glossy and a treat on its own. The building shows its age, with a few minor repairs needed, weak water pressure, and a wait for hot water. Still, I found its charm outweighed those issues. It has a full second floor, more than a loft, with a bed, plus a comfortable sofa downstairs. The location is peaceful in the Nasu Highlands and conveniently right by the road. I was on my way to Sendai and stopped in Nasu since I was nearby. I didn't expect Nasu to be so big, and couldn't see everything in one day. I'd definitely like to come back and stay here again.

We stayed without meals, and it was cheap. There weren't many rooms, so it was quiet, with rice fields all around and only frogs and birds calling. Having a microwave was convenient, and they let us book the bath for private use for a while.

The owners were kind and welcoming, and we spent a peaceful, relaxing time there. We were happy to have the bath to ourselves, where the three of us could soak and warm up. They told us they'd been in business for 30 years. The place has a comfortable feel, like visiting a relative's home, even though times have changed. We were especially grateful for the elaborate kaiseki-style dinner made with local ingredients. It made our time with friends even better, and we were very satisfied. We'd love to visit again.