Akari No Yado Villa Revage

Nikko gets very quiet at night since many visitors only come for the day, which made staying here feel especially peaceful. The owner was friendly and reminded us a few times that dinner isn't served. There are packaged meals you can heat in the microwave, which helps since many restaurants close before 5, though some remain open. Fresh pastries are served in the morning. A lovely spot for a quiet overnight stay.

Traveling with my mother, who has an artificial leg, I was grateful to find a place where she could use a proper private bath. That's been hard to arrange in many countries, and this was a rare highlight on our trip. The two private baths alone made the journey to Nikko worthwhile. The comfortable, relaxed feel and real communal space made it a great base for seeing the area. One of my top five stays, easily. I can't say enough good things about it.

The host was kind, helpful, and spoke good English, and having private parking on-site was handy. Breakfast came with the stay: seven small pastries chosen ahead of time, plus hot drinks and juice. The beds and cozy linens were comfortable, and the spacious common room and two relaxing private onsen baths were available without booking. There were also chilled and frozen meals and drinks for sale, useful if you arrive without dinner, and guests can use the microwave, fridge, and hot water for free. The bathroom was a basic Japanese unit, with a tiny sink and barely any hot water. The toilet had no bidet. I also wish there had been a way to join the two beds.

We spent two nights here and loved the cozy, welcoming feel. There are two private onsen and a roomy shared area with tea and coffee. The owners were some of the kindest people we've met. There's a beautiful walk by the river just behind the hotel, well worth doing.