Wataya Besso

The lobby, cafe, and tea house are stylish and very new. At check-in, a staff member showed us to our room and pointed out the tea house and coffee shop on the way. Until then, things were satisfactory. But the hallway to the rooms felt like a time tunnel to a Showa-era relic. Our room was dilapidated and musty, with a phone, lights, refrigerator, and floor-standing cooler that felt unacceptable for a hotel. The futon was so thin it was like sleeping right on the floor. The city's famous hot springs had very unstable temperature and flow, with sudden interruptions in the hot water. The facilities were old, and this was the worst experience my family and I have had across our multiple trips to Japan. The website photos didn't match what we found, and the charges were unreasonable. Terrible, terrible, terrible! If you don't want your vacation ruined, don't consider this so-called hotel!

Wataya Besso offered a memorable tea-tasting, with expertly brewed teas and detailed explanations from the tea staff. Set in a beautiful tea field, the experience made a simple cup feel unforgettable. I highly recommend it if you'd like to learn more about Japanese tea and see the beautiful countryside.

The breakfast was called kaiseki, but felt more like a very limited buffet. There wasn't even plain white rice, so I'd suggest skipping it and eating elsewhere. The onsen bath costs extra even for guests, and the shower area is outdated, with weak pressure and unreliable temperature control. No welcome snack was provided, not even the basic kind I'd expect at a modest ryokan. The futon and cushions were thin and worn enough that I could feel the floor, making sleep very uncomfortable. All night, the old mini-fridge on its wooden base creaked loudly every 30 minutes, and I couldn't sleep at all. The guestroom was outdated, poorly maintained, and clearly neglected, even though some work had gone into the common areas. Outside it, the patio floor was heavily soiled and looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a long time, as the photos show. Why isn't it cleaned at all? I've stayed at many ryokans, but this was by far my most disappointing experience. How can this condition be considered 5-star? It felt more like a rundown private house than a traditional inn. Had I known what it was really like, I would have chosen a nearby hotel. This stay felt more like a donation than an actual ryokan experience. Don't be fooled by the main photo the ryokan posted on Google.

The room was very, very comfortable, and both the breakfast and onsen were excellent. Check-in and check-out went well. Definitely a good stopover.