Iwai Yado Ju-an

The onsen was relaxing, and the area around the hotel was quiet and peaceful. Staff were kind and very helpful despite the language barrier, though only some spoke English. The service was wonderful, and the food was amazing. We came from Tokyo Asakusa station and had to make a couple of transfers, so it wasn’t the easiest trip, but the scenery was beautiful and well worth it. I’d definitely recommend spending time here!

The meals were made with lots of local ingredients, delicious, and served beautifully. The onsen has an outdoor area in a bamboo grove, and there’s a small onsen shire a short walk uphill behind the hotel. The ryokan sits in a quiet, forested valley, a short distance from the local station. Inside, it has classic Japanese decor, with tatami mats, wood and Japanese art. The atmosphere is serene, and the polite, helpful staff are friendly. Most guests wear the hotel yukata, which adds to the traditional feel. It was a nearly flawless stay from start to finish, and I’ll definitely return. Jyuan is a great choice for a peaceful Japanese getaway with traditional food and an onsen.

The kaiseki dinner was amazingly good, and my wife and I both got a peaceful, restful stay. The place may lack a few things, but the personalized service made up for it.

The staff were amazing, and the location is beautiful. It’s also a nice poket. Still, it felt like the area was losing its tourist boom. We saw huge abandoned hotels on the train ride in. Not having Wi-Fi in the rooms was a bummer.