Hotel Seira Shimanto

The welcome snacks were delicious, and dinner tasted good, though the portions felt a bit small. I stayed one night as a layover. The rooms and facilities looked dated and could use better upkeep. The onsen was mediocre compared with others I've visited, and I wasn't keen on it being open to the public.

Dinner was a lovely surprise, with fresh bonito and ayu fish cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Breakfast was just as satisfying. We chose full board at Hotel Seira Shimanto Hotel Seira Shimanto, and the food was a real highlight. The hotel's minimalist industrial design sits beautifully in the serene surroundings. Between the architecture, warm hospitality, and great meals, it deserves its 5 stars. Highly recommended for a visit to the area.

It's a very peaceful place, and room rates are below average, so it's good value if quiet is what you're after. I was the only foreigner there. The building has unusual architecture, with natural light used to great effect, and the staff were polite and attentive. My room was lovely, with a fantastic view over the river and the town in the distance. The onsen was nice, though small, as the hotel has only 14 rooms. There isn't much to do beyond that. The Planetarium, the main attraction, was closed on the Wednesday we were there, and kayaking is only available in summer. The renowned " rail less bridges" can only be reached on foot or by bicycle, with the nearest 4km away. There are no local taxis or buses. Meals were typical Japanese country-style food, but not very imaginative.

The hotel and food were decent for the price, which was low for an Onsen hotel. The staff were really friendly and helpful. After I accidentally damaged the Toyota rental car, they called and spoke with the police for us, since we couldn't speak Japanese and Toyota required a record for the insurance. I also want to thank the staff who sent the rental car documents I'd left in the room back to the rental store by express postage. They arrived in time for me to return the car, which helped a lot.