Auberge Kunugiya

The onsen was great, and the hospitality was outstanding. Communication in English was smooth. Thanks!

The owner was wonderful, and the two adorable cats were so soothing. We came for one night in mid-July, and I was surprised by how cool it was outside. From evening on, we managed without air conditioning. There was no TV in our room, so we listened to the birds and cicadas and enjoyed the slow pace and natural surroundings. Dinner, which we'd been looking forward to, was delicious as expected. Lake Kinrin and Yunotsubo Kaido are both nearby, making the location great. I have such fond memories of the stay and would love to return.

I chose Kiriya for one night because I liked the idea of French food served with chopsticks. The inn isn't new, but its unusual design, with a broad staircase and open stairwell, and the antique furniture made the rooms relaxing. At night, cats lounged on the stairs and in the entrance hall, which was soothing too. The spacious, quiet grounds among the trees felt far removed from the crowded town. I enjoyed walking around the trees and looking through the gallery. The French meal was authentic and delicious, including the first game dish I'd tried. The bread was so good I had seconds. Breakfast made with fresh local vegetables and other ingredients was delicious too. Though it was midsummer, the breeze outside the dining room was enough to cool me, even without air conditioning. The hot spring was a comfortable size. The friendly owners shared stories about mountains and their travels, making this a memorable Yufuin trip.

We had a Japanese-Western room made of oak, with plenty of space, a comfortable feel, and a fantastic view. The bath had a semi-open-air feel thanks to its glass partition, and it was nice to see the scenery outside in the morning. They currently take only two groups a day, and on our visit we had the place to ourselves. The food was delicious, and the owner couple's warm, friendly service made us very happy. One thing to keep in mind is that the door walls aren't very thick, so sound may carry. Since the inn is surrounded by trees, there may also be insects.