Nanaeyae

Our room was fantastic, with plenty of space, its own hot tub, and sliding panels to close off the bed area. Dinner was exceptional, and the bathing and toilet areas were well laid out and, like most places in Japan, super clean. We wished we’d booked more time in Nikko. We only had one night, arranged by our tour company. From outside, the hotel didn’t impress us, and the surrounding riverside area looked as if it had seen better days. It must once have been a real mecca for onsen devotees. We passed some nice big hotels and several that looked abandoned or poorly kept. The hotel approach turned out to be on the fourth of five floors, with rooms below street level overlooking the river.

The Onsen had a beautiful view. It wasn’t very big, but it never felt crowded. I think they limit the number of guests each day, which made the stay feel relaxed and private. Every staff member was kind. This is the sort of Ryokan we wanted to experience, with a warm welcome, real hospitality, and delicious food. The “Okami-San” came by during dinner and tried to communicate kindly even though we don’t speak Japanese. She remembered that one of my family members had a birthday just two days earlier, wished him a happy birthday, and gave him a gift at checkout. Such a heartwarming place. We’ve already thought about visiting again.

The quiet, private onsen in our room was a highlight: clean, just the right temperature, and wonderfully relaxing. The room had lots of thoughtful extras, including a fully automatic toilet lid, two mini POLA skincare sets, one for men and one for women, tea sets, four kinds of snacks, and a capsule tea machine. We didn’t have time to try everything, so that’s a reason to stay at least two nights next time. We spent two days and one night at Kinugawa Nanaeyae Onsen Ryokan, and from check-in to checkout everything felt smooth and thoughtful. A kind female staff member, who seemed to be from Thailand or Vietnam, explained the room patiently. Dinner was in a private dining room, with around 20 beautifully presented dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The flavors were delicate and refined, though the portions might be too generous for some women. The woman who owns the hotel (?) came to greet us during dinner, which made things feel personal. Later we had fun in the karaoke room. There was a songbook, but choosing songs from the screen was just as easy. Singing in that cozy space after dinner and a bath was great. The same owner came to say goodbye at checkout and gave us two beautifully crafted wooden 🥢 🥢 as a farewell gift. A sweet surprise that left us smiling all the way home. The service, food, and facilities were all top-notch. I’d wholeheartedly recommend it for a peaceful, luxurious stay, and I’m already looking forward to returning for longer.

The excellent food looked as good as it tasted, and the room’s indoor hot spring was amazing for easing our fatigue. The whole hotel was well maintained and felt like a lovely place to unwind away from everyday life. We stayed with family on New Year’s Day during the holidays and would definitely like to come back.