Yuya Onsen Ryokan Suimei

The owners made us feel welcome and were really kind, even with the language barrier. We enjoyed the onsen and the food, and left with lovely memories of our stay. The building is a bit old, but it has a rustic, homey feel that I think is underrated.

The room was roomy, clean, and a good place to unwind. The building does show its age, and there were times the water was off while the pipes were being repaired. Still, it has a lot of warmth and old-fashioned character, so people who enjoy that kind of place may love it. I’ve visited plenty of hot springs, and the water here was especially good. My facial skin even looked a shade brighter afterward. We stayed on a weekday when there weren’t many other guests. At different times, I had the large bath to myself, and I was grateful to relax alone in both that bath and the open-air one. The open-air bath is private and needs to be reserved, so I could take commemorative photos there. The inn is the closest ryokan to the source of Yuya Onsen, and the spring water quality is excellent. Dinner used local vegetables and wild plants. It was healthy, went nicely with alcohol, and warmed me up after bathing. They apparently use little seasoning, so the meal felt easy on my stomach and didn’t leave me bloated. The hermit grilled sardines were a particular favorite, and trying wild vegetables was new for me. Breakfast at the venue was delicious too. Staying here felt a bit like time travel, in a refreshing and fun way. I ate well and could properly relax after long soaks. Thank you, I’ll come again.

The hot spring water suited me very well. I soaked until I was thoroughly warm and came away relaxed. The open-air bath is a reservable family bath, which could work well for couples. There’s a river right in front, running fast enough that its loud rush is easy to hear (lol). The facilities show significant signs of age, and the whole Yuasa Onsen area is quiet, so it may suit people who prefer to avoid crowds. The meal was disappointing for the Golden Week price. I’d weigh the price against what you get before choosing to stay.

My partner and I stayed here once, about 30 years ago, and we both got food poisoning. It caused us a huge amount of trouble. My earlier post was deleted, so I’m putting this up again.