Hijiori Onsen Ebisuya

I was thankful they arranged my meal even though I needed to catch the first bus in the morning. I'm so glad I visited Hijiori Onsen. The private bath is free to use, and I recommend it. I've always had the women's bath to myself, too. The springs helped me sleep well, and the inn was so quiet I even worried my TV might be too loud. I booked a hot spring meal plan and a room with a toilet but no amenities. The room had a bed in a mountain hut-style bedroom and a ceiling fan. This inn is closest to the last bus stop, so you can have coffee in the lobby in the morning and watch the bus arrive before you leave. It's a wonderful place for people looking for comfort on a very cheap hot spring plan, or a Japanese-style room without a toilet. People who complain about those things should keep avoiding it.

The hospitality at Ebisuya Ryokan, owned by Ishidaki Onsen, felt genuinely warm, never artificial. It's a hidden hot spring in Yamagata, Hijiori Onsen ♨️. I only visited for the day, but I'd like to come back. I felt so cozy on the way home that I skipped any other hot springs and went straight back 😂👍

Dinner was served in my room and had lots of wild vegetables. It even included locusts, an unusual dish that I personally loved. The building felt sturdier than I expected, and the inn was just right for me. There are private baths as well as a large mixed bath. Maybe I caught it at a lucky time, but the private bath had a crunchy limestone deposit. You can really enjoy the Hijiori hot springs here. This is based on memories from several years ago, so things may have changed since then.

The hot spring cuisine was far tastier than I expected from a typical resort meal. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the price felt like good value. I'd stay again. This is an old, historic inn with a retro feel. The inside is decorated in detail, and the jazz playing there creates a lovely atmosphere. The springs are high quality and a real pleasure. The men's bath, which is mixed-gender, seems spacious, while the women's bath is a little small. Private baths are available too.