Nasu Ichiya Hotel

The shabu-shabu dinner with locally grown vegetables was really tasty, and drinks with dinner were all you can drink. There are public and private baths on the terrace, free massage chairs, and a welcome snack.

This was one of my two favorite experiences in Japan. The rooftop onsen was great, and so was the shabu-shabu dinner with all-you-can-drink. The traditional Japanese room was really comfortable and had its own toilet. Everything was perfect. I’ll definitely come back and stay longer.

The room was clean, the futons were neatly made, and I slept well. I could hear some hallway noise, though it wasn’t a big problem since the Japanese-style rooms were farther away. There are also free massage chairs and an evening all-you-can-drink bar, which I didn’t use. I liked the place enough that I’d like to come back next month, this time with my husband. I stayed alone on this visit. The service made a very good first impression. A Thai female intern greeted me cheerfully, then another staff member checked me in while I sat down. They carefully showed me around and offered tea and sweets. The intern walked me to my room, with excellent manners and attention to detail. The whole team seemed well trained. At that point, I thought the stay would be well worth the price. I skipped the 5:00-5:30 PM welcome drink and locally grown vegetable event, but did go to the 7:00-7:30 PM dessert event. The crème brûlée was delicious. There are four private outdoor baths, two on the rooftop and two on the sixth floor. I used one on the roof at night. The stars were beautiful, and I was glad I’d come. The area in front is uncovered and subdued, which may make it easier for people worried about being seen, though it’s dark, so watch that you don’t leave anything behind. The baths are close together, so you may hear other guests talking if both are occupied. For a quieter soak, a less busy time might be better. Dinner was in a semi-private room, where I could eat without worrying about other guests. The food looked beautiful and tasted great, but the portions were large enough that some women might not finish. Staff came around and took a commemorative photo in each room; they printed it and gave it to us at checkout, a nice keepsake.

The open-air bath was very nice, and there were a few thoughtful extras: all-you-can-drink mineral water, heated rooms and hallways, spare towels in the bathroom, and small complimentary desserts before and after meals. The food portions were generous. Still, the stay was a mixed bag, about half good and half bad. Front desk staff didn’t always give the same information, and some were unfriendly. The dining staff seemed undertrained, attentive but not especially pleasant. Bar staff had unpleasant conversations with customers. The room was somewhat dusty, with stains on the floor and some hair, and the toilet smelled all the time. The reviews had led me to expect more, so I’d rate it average.