Yumuraonsen Midoriya

It felt like a hidden gem, with hardly any crowds in the area. We could walk all over town, take in the beautiful scenery, and enjoy the outdoor footbaths. The facilities are beautiful, the baths were amazing, and the rooms are gorgeous. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful, and many spoke English very well. This is definitely the nicest place I've stayed in Japan or anywhere. I didn't want to leave, and I can't wait to come back in winter.

We loved the stay so much that we added an extra night. The Japanese-style breakfast was delicious, and although dinner is available to book, we didn't try it. The hotel is new, having opened just three months ago, and has a relaxing atmosphere with beautiful decor. The manager spoke English and was very helpful, sharing local recommendations. Ask about the sea fireflies experience if you go, we all really enjoyed it. The hotel has a small number of rooms, which are spacious and very nice. You can book one with a wooden tub, use the separate men's and women's onsens downstairs, or reserve a private one there. There is free parking and laundry, plus a kids zone. Japanese pears were being harvested nearby while we were there, and they were delicious.

We stayed two nights with my wife and our seven-month-old, and this is easily the best onsen hotel we've visited. The playroom has plenty of toys, books, and space for kids, a welcome change from what some older, more traditional hotels in the district offer. The staff were unbelievably friendly and helpful. The company president studied hospitality in Australia for a few years, and I believe good culture starts at the top. He is one of the best hotel managers I've met. The hotel opened in 2023, so the interiors and facilities are beautiful. We also liked the digital room keys, accessed with a QR code, so we didn't have to carry another key or card. We can't recommend it enough. It's worth the trip, and we'll be back.

The three large private onsens each have an attached bathroom. If one is free, you can go in, lock the door, and use it. The water was mild and warm, with no sulfur smell. I'm not sure what kind of water or minerals it contained. The manager was very helpful and friendly, spoke excellent English, and was there to greet us when we arrived late on the first night. He even brought our luggage to the room, then served a delicious dinner. Each dish was beautifully arranged and plated, and you could tell a lot of time and effort had gone into it. Breakfast the next morning included onsen-steamed dishes. The modern decor made it a great place to stay for a few nights. We stayed two nights and had a chat with the manager, who said the owner is also the owner of the famous Ghibli studio.