Futamata Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan

For lunch during our longer stay, they brought a bento to our room. We were also shown the dining area, the separate indoor and outdoor baths for men and women, and how to reserve the rock bath. The front desk is on the fourth floor, so I first took the elevator down to the first floor. I arrived about 15 minutes before check-in, but the staff member guided me to the parking lot and, since we were staying several nights, helped me check in smoothly. We had room Kiku on the second floor, and it was beautiful and clean. I was tired and had booked the rock bath right away, so I changed into my yukata and went straight there. It felt like a semi-open-air bath, with water bubbling up from several places below. Big bubbles popped up now and then, and a few spots felt slightly warm when I held my hand close. At first the water seemed hot, but it soon felt just right. Listening to the river was wonderful. The indoor bath was good too, with plenty of natural hot spring water. The outdoor bath is shallow, so it feels a bit like lying down in it, which is part of its charm. The meals were carefully prepared and delicious, and the sake explanation was clear and easy to follow. Thanks to the gentleman with the lovely smile. Is this the best inn in every way? At checkout, a large tour bus arrived and a man told us his group was touring from Kansai. We chatted, and he gave us his card. It turned out he was the chairman of the Pure Hot Spring Association. I think Yamagataya inn in Yugi Onsen, where we were going next, was also part of the association. My wife had finished paying, so I drove off, but I felt like I'd spoken with someone amazing. Thank you for a wonderful trip.

We came as a family of five, including an elementary school student. It seems a lot of snow had fallen just two days before our arrival. Our car navigation led us onto roads with deep, uncleared snow. The main roads had been plowed thoroughly, so in winter it's best to avoid the forest roads around the inn. The building feels old, but it was clean and comfortable. Our family loved that each room could use the private open-air bath as often as it was available. It's a luxurious rock bath beside a clear stream, shaped around the natural terrain, with hot spring water flowing out from between the rocks. The bath alone makes the trip worthwhile.

The service was courteous, and we'd definitely like to visit again. We stayed in two rooms as a group of four after golf on Friday, August 8th. The rooms were spacious and clean, with attached toilets and washlets, and the high altitude kept things pleasantly cool. The hot springs were excellent. There was a waterfall bath and a cypress bath, both with their own open-air baths, which men and women took turns using according to the time of day. We could also reserve the free-flowing rock bath privately by room for a relaxing soak. Dinner and breakfast were both delicious, made mostly with local ingredients. The rate was 15,500 yen including tax. We had quite a bit of beer and sake, bringing the total to 17,550 yen per person including tax.

The portions were just right, so I didn't have leftovers, and the food was delicious. I tried fig tempura for the first time and was surprised by how good it was. There was a good range of alcohol at reasonable prices, which made me very happy. The room felt a little lonely, but I like traditional inns and enjoyed its old-fashioned atmosphere. We could book the rock bath privately for as many time slots as we wanted. I did wish it had a place to wash up or a shower for washing my hair.