Gekkoju Yufuin

The place is modern and spacious, but the meals and service have gone downhill. Do not stay here. The butler service was awful, and I found the website ads misleading. The photos I saw, including lobster sashimi, bread choices, and a Japanese-style breakfast, no longer match what’s offered. At $1,500 a night, there was no sashimi, dinner was mediocre, wine was no longer all-inclusive, and the Bvlgari amenities had been removed. Our butler was an unhappy older man, Mr.O, who gave us his business card. After we asked for a 7 p.m. dinner time, his manner changed. He presented the menu upside down and forgot to return our engraved chopsticks, though the hotel later sent them. At breakfast he ignored our drink order and brought coffee and tea that were cold. I believe he did this on purpose. We told the hotel after checking out. I strongly recommend against staying here or at Gekkoju Kurokawa, which is owned or run by the same company. There are other reasonably priced, real ryokans in Yufuin.

Akaya made the stay special. She was incredibly hospitable, speaks fluent English, and helped us with everything. The room products were all high end too, and my fiancée is trying to track down the blow dryer to buy one. I stumbled across this place while staying at the ryokan above it, then checked out early to stay here. It was the best decision. You can choose your own villa, and I picked Kohaku, meaning amber, with gorgeous amber tones in the interior. The whole experience felt high end: living room, kitchen, terrace, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, sauna, and a heated towel rack. It has it all. This is a hidden gem, worth every penny. I wish I could give it more stars.

We stayed one night in Hanezu in December 2024, after having visited two other high-end ryokans in Takachiho and Aso, so we had a useful comparison. The ingredients and presentation made Gekkoju Yufuin’s food the best of the three. The indoor onsen was nice, and the yellow ducks they thoughtfully provided for the kids were appreciated. But breakfast was a letdown: instead of the traditional Japanese ryokan meal we expected, it was just eggs, bacon, and sausages. The worst part was the service on checkout day. I asked a male staff member to call the Yufuin Stained Glass Museum and check whether its workshop had space. I showed him the webpage on my phone, then left him to handle it while I got ready. Minutes later, I found him making the enquiry on my phone. I had to tell him to end the call and use his own landline. He just ended the call and left, without apologizing. Guests’ phones shouldn’t be used without permission. For a place offering “butler” service, that was a huge letdown. Go for the dinner and room, but don’t expect much from the staff’s service or hospitality.

For private time and a chance to unwind in a luxury setting, this place is a great fit. The package includes an in-room private onsen, a fantastic massage, an entertaining jinrikisha ride, and incredible course meals. The staff took great care of us. It was worth every penny.