Yumoto Ryokan

The room was spacious and modern, and the in-room dining was excellent. The reception team helped us store our luggage when we arrived early, and the parking staff were attentive and parked the car for us. The onsen area is large, with four different types of baths. Breakfast could use more options, especially Western food. There was no semi-automatic coffee machine, just coffee in a can, and the dining room air conditioning was weak. Room 803 was uncomfortably hot even after I tried lowering the temperature, which was especially frustrating after a hot onsen bath. The room needs stronger air conditioning for its size. The vent by the window also kept moving the blind when cold air came out. I don't know if the system is centrally controlled, but the hotel should account for different temperature preferences. The shower head was small and the water pressure very low. Most guests may use the onsen to wash, but there are times when a room shower matters, such as during menstruation or for someone with long hair. That weak flow was really annoying. I hope they replace the small shower heads soon.

We had a great stay, with lovely food and service. Our room had two beds and a futon area, so there was plenty of space for our extended family. In-room dinner worked especially well with young kids: they could finish eating and go play while the adults took their time. We arranged a delicious vegan meal for one guest well ahead of time, which we really appreciated. It would also help to mark vegetarian and vegan dishes on the breakfast labels with V and Vg. I wasn't sure whether any staff spoke English, so don't count on that, though Google Translate should get you by. Thank you!

The food made a lovely impression on us. Dinner was brought to our room as a four-course meal for two, and the woman serving it took care to explain how we should eat each dish. We really enjoyed it. Wherever we've gone in Japan, we've felt that people bring a lot of enthusiasm and responsibility to their work. We love Japan! We stayed in a traditional tatami room, just as we'd hoped, and the room was cozy. Staff came in to lay out the futon before bedtime when we requested the turn-down service. The location was handy too. The hotel is across the street from the bus station, with Black Bear Park and Hell Valley within easy walking distance and plenty of shops nearby. A great place for a couple.

We ended up here because we booked at the last minute and the fancier places were already unavailable. It turned out better than expected. The hot spring area wasn't as crowded as at some other places, so my shy son didn't feel awkward. Australia doesn't have public baths like this, and it was his first time. I went with him around dinner time to avoid the crowds. The hotel is old, though the dinner was fabulous and the older woman who brought it to our room was nice and efficient. Our room was bigger than average by Japanese standards. The bus stop is directly across the road, and both 7/11 and seicomart are about 50 metres away.