Suigou

The included pass for Kinosaki's seven onsens, plus a borrowed yukata and geta, made this an especially fun stay. My room had adjustable climate control, tea, a sink, and a table with chairs. It was clean, the staff were welcoming, and the price is great for Kinosaki. The building is about a ten-minute walk from the station and nearest onsen. There are no meals, so plan dinner early since many places in town close early. I ended up eating from the 24/7 kobini, which was actually pretty tasty. I was asked to keep the blinds closed because of stinkbugs, but it didn't bother me. I was out most of the day and never saw one in the room. The bathroom was clean, with a Japanese-style toilet only, so bear that in mind. I'd happily stay here again.

The front desk staff were friendly, and there's a nice sentō on the first floor. The Japanese-style room was comfortable, too. It's a little away from central Kinosaki Onsen, but the station is under ten minutes away on foot and the town center takes less than fifteen. Since it's an older inn, there's no breakfast and no WiFi in the rooms, though the lobby has WiFi. That's good to know ahead of time, especially if you travel with a pocket WiFi.

The garden was a real highlight, and I could see it from my room. I also appreciated being able to leave my luggage a little early while I visited some onsens before check-in. The staff were accommodating, though nobody spoke English, so I got by with my basic Japanese. It's a quiet spot, about a 5-10 minute walk from the station and in the direction away from the public onsen and shops. The building is old and has shared Japanese-style toilets. I only used the sink since the onsens were close by. I think the indoor and outdoor baths are private in the sense that you lock the door while using them, with no separate men's and women's areas. The onsen pass was the best part. Visiting all seven separately would cost over 5000 yen, I think.

The woman who checked me in and out was lovely, and getting by with almost no Japanese was no problem. My room was clean, with a great view of the garden out front. The nearby onsens are just a short walk away. I'd like to come back.