Matsuno Onsen Suikoen

The spring water was excellent, and the tempura and soba served in the room were delicious too. We were a family of six, and the autumn leaves here were unlike those in nearby areas. I'd love to save up and bring my parents here sometime.

I had a relaxing stay in a detached room during the fresh greenery season. The park has so many maple trees that I imagine it must look gorgeous when the autumn colors arrive. There are quite a few slopes around the grounds, though, which might be hard for older visitors with mobility problems.

All the rooms are detached, and the place has a nostalgic Showa era feel, like a little hideaway in another world despite being just one train ride from the city center. People say the Crown Prince had dinner in this room. There's no open-air bath, just an indoor one, but the slightly slippery alkaline hot spring lets you soak while looking out at the Tama River. You can relax here so deeply it feels like roots are growing out of your buttocks.

The view of the river from the dining room and hot springs is lovely. Each accommodation feels like its own secluded retreat, making it a nice spot for a discreet escape. It's a peaceful place unlike what you'd expect in Tokyo.