Koensou

I came just to use the hot spring for the day, and the bath was good. It looks like a wonderful hotel to stay at, so I’d like to try staying here sometime.

The courtyard is well cared for and gives you a peaceful place to unwind. Inside, the Showa-era retro decor feels nostalgic, and there’s a warm, museum-like collection of toys with plenty of thoughtful details to enjoy. You can also use the hot springs for the day, which makes them easy to visit. A nice place for a break from everyday life.

With only about 15 guest rooms, including the detached cottages, it felt like we had the place to ourselves, which made the stay even more satisfying. The peaceful garden and retro displays, along with the delicious Japanese food, made it a lovely spot to relax. The nearby Benzaiten shrine and fishing grounds also make a little family outing possible. We stayed on September 26th, and it really worked well for families with children. The exterior looks a bit dated, but inside there’s a spacious feel and deep corridors. The parking lot is large and shared with the fishing park. Toys and decorations from the front desk through the hallway kept both adults and kids entertained. The free coffee and mochi-like sweets in the room were delicious. The bathroom has a standard bathtub, and there were candies and other treats in the changing room. In the courtyard, you can get fish food from a 200 yen gacha machine and feed the carp as they gather around. Dinner and breakfast were served in private rooms, which felt special and relaxing. We enjoyed the Tochigi beef, grilled trout, earthenware pot soup, and local Sano potato fries. The serving staff were incredibly kind at both meals. One concern was that the courtyard’s automatic doors were easy to use even at night, so I worried my child might fall into the pond. Having only one room key was also a little inconvenient.

A great pick for families with kids. The building is quite old, though it seems well maintained. I was more excited about the museum-level collection than the children were. Anyone born in the Showa era would probably love it.