TAOYA Nikko Kirifuri

We’d highly recommend this hotel if you’re driving in Nikko. It’s so relaxing to chat with your loved ones by the fire, with free nuts and beer to warm you up. If you’re still hungry after dinner, there’s curry udon in the lobby. We went to the onsen before each meal, and the outdoor area was the highlight. At night you can soak under a sky full of clear stars, and in the morning you can enjoy the rising sun from the hot spring. Afterwards, there’s a massage chair to unwind, and a table tennis room right beside it if you still have energy. The breakfast and dinner buffets have lots of high-quality food and drinks, all included. Amazing!

The rooms were okay, though they could use some renovation. The location is good for a relaxing stay, but keep in mind the bus from Nikko Tobu stops running around 17:30. The hotel has a shuttle for 110¥ per person, but we weren’t told how to get it from the train station. We took a taxi instead, which cost 3000¥. The onsen was great, and the food had plenty of variety. All-you-can-drink is included in the room price.

For an affordable all-inclusive stay, I was pleasantly surprised by the spacious room and the quality of the food, even though the room felt a little dated. The open-air public bath had fantastic views of the sunrise and stars. There was a private bath, too, along with karaoke rooms, table tennis, nature trails, and more.

We had a great time at Tayao. The onsen was clean and had lovely views, and both the breakfast and dinner buffets were included, along with unlimited alcohol. Highly recommended!