Minshuku Ichinoya

The people were so kind, and we even got to watch the fireworks. The food cooked around the hearth was delicious, and everything looked gorgeous too. I'd love to come back 😁

We’ve been back every year, and this was our fifth stay. Our children love eating around the irori, and the guesthouse has the feeling of visiting a friend’s home. The landlady’s smile is so soothing, and chatting with her was a lot of fun. She also served us homemade dofukuro sake cups. Dinner was far too much for us to finish: vegetables from the inn’s garden, grown by the grandmother, showed up in the tempura, simmered dishes, salads, yuba, tofu, and more. Around the hearth we grilled miso-marinated venison, mountain pheasant, and bear, along with sweetfish skewers and sweet rice cakes topped with sweet miso. Depending on the course, a night with two meals costs ¥7,500 per adult and ¥5,200 per child. I’d encourage anyone to try a meal over the irori.

The hot springs and the food alone make this a great place, and the sacred object of Toshogu Shrine is right in front of you. It’s a historic guesthouse, and I definitely recommend a visit. At dinner, you sit around a hearth and grill skewers over charcoal, with beef, chicken, river fish, and salamander among the choices. There’s also a tray loaded with wild vegetables and lots of other things to pick from. Everything was just so delicious!! 😊

I came all the way to this remote part of Nikko for the irori cooking, and it lived up to what I’d hoped. The charcoal sits in the middle of an elegant hearth, with skewers of chicken, pork, beef, char, and salamander around it. I even went back for two extra bowls of rice, lol. The building and rooms were spotless, with a nostalgic feel, and the hostess was pleasant and welcoming. The futon was fluffy, and having a drink in my room under the kotatsu was lovely. I’d stay here again.