Hotel Meguri

I've become a regular because it's a good place to unwind. The hot springs are fantastic, and you can visit them without staying overnight. The water is excellent, and the sauna and cold plunge are superb, unlike any others I've tried. The rooms are new and perfectly adequate, with more value than the price suggests. I'd recommend a room-only stay, though. Dinner and breakfast aren't worth paying extra for.

The reception is inside the cafe. As other reviews mentioned, the operation seemed minimal, but there were no problems. I was in a comfortable, nicely renovated room in Building C, a former public housing complex like city housing. My room was on the fourth floor, and the stairs were steep, which could make it difficult for older guests. The bathroom faced north and got very cold in winter. It seems some windows, structural parts, and insulation weren't renovated. There was a heater in the room, but the air conditioning didn't seem to reach the toilet or bathroom, which sit on either side of a door.

I underestimated Usa Onsen. The hot spring water was excellent, and with a sauna and water dispenser in the changing room, it was a great place to refresh. The hotel is an unusual conversion of a housing complex, and the rooms feel spacious and are very clean. As you'd expect from the old complex, there's no elevator, so the upper floors seem to cost less. Think about that when choosing a room if you're elderly or carrying a lot of luggage. There's a cafe on the first floor where you can eat or take food back to your room. One hassle was having to stop at the front desk for a key when going to bathe. The desk seems to share the cafe cash register, so it can get crowded with people checking in, paying for cafe orders, or waiting to use the bath.

The hot spring water was nice, but the changing room, indoor bath, and outdoor bath are all cramped. The lockers are too close to the washbasins, which made it awkward to use them. Dust had built up in the far part of the area behind the basins too. I went on January 4 because I heard it had only opened the year before. Once was enough for me. I wouldn't go back or recommend it to anyone.