Yanagawa Onsen Hotel Kisensou

The breakfast was a real highlight: 14 little dishes, all delicious, and almost too much in the best way. The staff were thoughtful and welcoming, too. The hot spring water felt pleasantly slippery, and the facilities included an open-air bath, electric bath, cold bath, and reclining chairs. The sauna runs at a lower temperature, which made it easier to stay in and sweat without too much heat. Since the renovation, everything has looked very clean, including the guest rooms and unit baths. The hotel is shoes-off, which made walking around in socks or barefoot feel relaxed. Even the elevator floor had tatami, a nice Japanese detail. Hallway security cameras added some peace of mind. The mirrors in the room were placed conveniently, and having a washer and dryer on site was useful for longer stays or hot spring visits. There weren’t many outlets, though, so bring an extension cord if you need to charge several devices, or ask whether one can be rented.

I use the day bath here. It’s a nice public facility, but pretty compact, and the price feels high compared with other places nearby. The sauna is especially small, and I wish they offered longer towels. What really spoils it is how some regulars behave. They don’t wipe themselves before getting into the cold bath, then splash around. This isn’t their home. I don’t want to scold an older person, but everyone’s there to relax, not just them. It’s a shame, because the place itself is so nice.

Even on a public holiday it was empty, which surprised me since it’s usually the opposite. The hot springs were good, and I liked the sauna, cold plunge, bath, and washing area, though the place was a little dark. The big downside was no water cooler. I got really thirsty, and everyone had brought their own water, so they must have known. I’ll bring some again next time.

The staff are kind and polite, and the quiet interior makes it an easy place to relax. I always come back here. The baths are well set up with a sauna, cold bath, and electric bath. The water feels smooth and slippery, and I’d definitely recommend them. Breakfast is a very good Japanese set meal, too.