LiVEMAX RESORT KAWAJI

I especially loved the two public onsens, particularly the outdoor one surrounded by bamboo. Soft music played there, making the atmosphere really tranquil and relaxing. The private onsen in our room was piping hot, and we had to add quite a lot of cold water to get the temperature right. My family of four stayed on a Saturday in late January. I’d read a number of Google reviews before arriving, so my expectations weren’t high, but we were amazed and everyone was more than happy with the resort. The buffet had a good variety of food, drinks, and desserts. Staff kept adding dishes and were still cooking fresh steaks half an hour before closing. Someone even called to remind us to go to the buffet. Two women at the front desk spoke Japanese and very good English. Some facilities are old and worn, though the staff worked hard to keep things clean given their condition. From what we saw, the resort seemed to have addressed issues mentioned in earlier reviews. I’m not saying everything was perfect, but given what we paid, I don’t think a 3.2-star rating is fair. Based on our stay, I’m happy to give it five stars.

Dinner is available only for guests who check in before 6:00 PM. Late arrivals may not be served and won’t get a refund. The resort has one restaurant, which also serves breakfast, as well as a sauna, karaoke, and other recreational options. It dates from 1970, is a comfortable 3-star property in Nikko’s Kawaji Onsen district, and has 62 air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen satellite TVs. Some rooms have fireplaces, spa bathtubs, and bidets, and many look out at the mountains. It’s about 4.5 km from Nijimi Bridge, and roughly a 10-minute drive from both Edelweiss Ski Resort and Ryuokyo Canyon. Fukushima Airport is 115 km away. There’s limited historical information available, but the hotel may be able to provide more if contacted.

I’ve stayed here often in winter over several years, though it had been a while since my last visit. The room was cold, and the thin walls let sounds and vibrations from neighboring rooms through. The facilities have deteriorated, and the customer service seems worse. I feel the staff’s efforts can’t do much about the building’s condition. Food may fill you up, but I’m not sure it will satisfy you. I used to be content with the hot springs, but now they’re colder. There are no nets to keep wild animals out, and several triangular pylons warn of aging hazards like a construction site, which ruins the atmosphere. In the past, I accepted the defects because the travel support system made stays very cheap. Now that the coronavirus pandemic has passed and more foreign tourists are coming to Japan, prices have become more aggressive while the poor equipment keeps getting worse. On my last visit, I went for one final bath before checkout and found feces floating in the outdoor bath. I was shocked, angry, and sad. Was it some kind of protest? I don’t know what country that customer was from, but to me this was clearly an act of terrorism. I told the staff, but I don’t know what happened afterward. It’s mortifying, and I no longer want to stay here. Has it become a place for people with those inclinations or for people who like ruins? The property is getting old and could become a ruin before long.

The onsen was great, and the staff were really friendly and helpful. The room was in pretty run-down shape, though, and the whole hotel seems like it could start falling apart if it isn’t renovated soon.