Yakushiyu Shinseikan

The building isn't new, but its unusual, tasteful design really appealed to me. The toilets and sinks are shared, though very clean and clearly well cared for. Not having a toilet in the room didn't bother me at all. Dinner was more than satisfying, especially the duck hotpot course, and the food had that comforting, home-cooked taste. It really felt like staying at a welcoming auntie's house. The inn is charming and reasonably priced, the bath water is lovely, and the proprietress seemed friendly. She also explained that the men's and women's baths switch at midnight. I'd like to come back.

There are no locks on the room doors, so that cost it a star, though there is a safe. Otherwise, I found this Showa-era inn peaceful and uncrowded, a relaxing place to stay during a tour. The hot springs, food, building, and people were all great, with a Japanese feel throughout.

It's an old inn, but a relaxing place to stay. The food is delicious and there’s plenty of it. They also serve some stylish dishes that feel a little out of place with the inn's atmosphere, but those are tasty too.

This ancient hot spring is said to have opened about 1,000 years ago. It first flourished as a resort for the lord of the Ikeda domain, and princesses often visited as well. It's said to help with skin diseases and neuralgia, and seems well suited to hot spring therapy after surgery.