Yuzukushi Salon Ichinobo

We chose this place for our honeymoon, and it made us so happy. Paying once when we booked and then being able to eat and drink as much as we liked, with everything still feeling high quality, was a real comfort. A year later, we still talk about the trip, and we'd like to try another Ichinobo Group property for our fifth anniversary. The baths were a big part of the stay. The larger outdoor bath has an incredible view of the river bending through the rocks in a U shape, and there’s a sauna there too. The outdoor baths switch between men and women in the morning and evening. The other bath is smaller, and the indoor baths are simple but very clean. The spring water is clear and natural, though not especially rich in minerals, and it’s kept in excellent condition. After a soak, we enjoyed simmered radish and sweet amazake at the Daikon Café. In a higher-end “Satoyama Retreat” room, there’s also a private cypress bath. I loved being able to relax in it while looking outside. If you like a drink, there’s plenty to enjoy. Beer and sparkling wine are available from self-serve dispensers at any time, with Japanese sake, wine, and spirits offered at meals. The Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery is nearby, and sometimes the resort serves single-malt Miyagikyo or Date whiskies during dinner or evening shows. Nikka whisky highballs are also available from a dispenser whenever you want. Dinner was among the best I’ve had. It’s set up more like a food court than a buffet, with chefs making dishes to order, so there’s no need to rush through the meal. We had Sendai beef steak, local grilled beef tongue, fresh tempura, and other dishes. The desserts looked lovely and could be customized. I especially liked the apple pie. Breakfast was just as satisfying, with freshly made French toast and plenty of other choices. There was hand-drip coffee and tea in the morning, plus light afternoon snacks for guests staying multiple nights. We also had fun together playing table tennis. There are two tables, but they’re popular, so booking ahead is a good idea. The outdoor hot spring, surrounded by beautiful nature, was truly moving.

We really loved this onsen hotel. The staff were kind and helpful, even though they didn’t speak much English. Our buffet meals were full of thoughtful dishes, at breakfast as well as dinner. We booked a room without a private onsen and regretted it. We’ll definitely come back and try one of the rooms with a private onsen.

My favorite hotel stay so far. We had a deluxe king room with a private onsen, and both the view and the bath were amazing. The outdoor onsen by the river is another highlight, and well worth going to.

The meals were a highlight for me. It didn’t feel like a Western-style buffet at all, more like having chefs prepare thoughtful, delicate dishes for us. Every course looked like a little work of art. Our Hammock Room at Ichinobe Salon Hotel was cozy and so different from a usual room. After a day out, gently swaying in the hammock was a lovely way to unwind. The river bank view onsen was one of my best bathing experiences in Japan, and the shaved ice afterward was the trip’s best surprise. The evenings had their own special feel. One night there was an 80’s night with a live DJ, and the next we watched a beautiful piano and violin concert. It all felt intimate. A peaceful stay with a lot of culture and its own character, and one I won’t forget.