Hotel Suimeikan

The onsen was lovely, a good temperature and nicely presented. I went every night, though the shower in my room ran a bit cold and slow. The Japanese-style look of the hotel is great for pictures. Parking was a pain. There are around 10 regular spaces and about five others for luggage bays, reserved spots and such, but for such a big hotel with so many rooms, that's very little. When we got back around 6 pm there were never spaces, so we always had to walk.

The staff were welcoming, and spoke both Japanese and English, which makes this a good choice for tourists wanting a traditional Japanese-style hotel. The rooms were clean and nice, and breakfast was delicious. I don't understand why this place isn't rated higher.

From the balcony you can see the stream and waterfall running right beside the hotel. There's also a balcony bathtub for two and a small private bathroom, which gives an onsen-like experience. It's close to the train station, and the very modest rooms may suit people looking for traditional Japanese hospitality. The toilet doesn't even have a sink. But on our three-week trip to Japan, this was the most expensive hotel or ryokan night we paid for, including dinner and breakfast, and the experience didn't justify that high price. Even served in a tiny private room, the meals weren't tasty at all. It was the first time in Japan we didn't enjoy the food. It's up to you.

For what I paid, the room was great, and everyone was doing their best. The hotel is on the larger side and showing its age, but the onsen was nice, with all amenities included. Breakfast was a fair 1100 yen for a buffet with Japanese and some Western choices. If you're staying in the city and don't need a luxury ryokan experience, this is a good option.