SANU 2nd Home Nasu 3rd

Rain against the forest outside made for a really unusual, lovely stay, and I'd like to come back. The building was clean and comfortable, with a big, soft sofa and two large beds. I think it's a good fit for up to two adults. The private hot spring bath is a rare feature, with a slight sulfur smell. It's out on the veranda, though, so watch for insects in summer. Filling it is pretty noisy, which makes doing so in the middle of the night difficult. The villa and hotel area is about a 20-minute drive from the Nasu Interchange. There aren't many supermarkets nearby, so stock up at the roadside station or the 7-Eleven about five minutes away by car.

The road leading up to SANU is very steep. After rain the day before, it had frozen, and my car started sliding about 50 meters from the top. I couldn't get up the slope, even on studless tires, so I called the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAF) and turned back. JAF told me I couldn't make the climb without studless tires and chains. The manager wasn't nearby, but the SANU customer center was very polite and helped me get home safely. I wish they'd put antifreeze on that slope. I thought studless tires would be enough, and it was a frightening experience. I hope this helps anyone planning a visit.

The footsteps from upstairs carried loudly, and there are furniture corners and other spots that seem dangerous for children around one or two years old. I also wouldn't recommend using the open-air bath at night, when hordes of insects fly in. Even though there's a cleaning fee, guests have to wash the dishes and take out the trash. Then the dishes need to be put back, which left me wondering whether the previous guest had washed them properly and whether the cleaners check. I found myself questioning the cleanliness in every corner. All in all, I felt a hotel would be a better choice.

The user guide and instructions for the equipment were clear both in the room and on the website, so I never felt unsure about how things worked. They'd also thought of the small details, like providing plenty of towels for two people and a net to scoop debris from the bath. There wasn't a TV, but the projector had clear picture quality and great sound, so we watched YouTube and other subscriptions. We stayed at the end of September and didn't have any trouble with insects. From the open-air bath, I could watch the sunset and sunrise through the trees and hear birds. I used it and the sauna whenever I wanted, which made the whole place feel wonderfully relaxing. There's a dry sauna and loyly, and the bath can be filled with hot water, cold water, or sulfur-smelling hot spring water, so I could choose the temperature I wanted. The facilities were excellent. I booked a twin room with a sauna and open-air bath. There are lots of tourist sights nearby, and restaurants and convenience stores were easy to get to. On the way from Nasu Garden Outlet, we passed a large roadside station and GOODNEWS, where you can buy the popular souvenir "Butter's Cousin." Picking places to eat and souvenirs was easy. The drive in is hilly, so snow tires and chains are a must in winter. I was really happy with the thought put into the facilities and service. I'd love to work hard and come back for another special break. Thanks so much, I'd definitely stay again. ☺