Oyado Ichizen

The private covered outdoor onsen was such a cool experience, and the detached house was spacious and comfortable. We were three adults, including my mom, so I appreciated that the staff arranged the closest house to the main building after my advance request. They also set us up at the nearest table in the dining hall, which meant less walking for her. Everyone was helpful, friendly, and polite. Dinner was amazingly good. Our favorites were the eel, beef, and especially the chicken pot. I'd recommend this place if you're driving.

We stayed two nights, and the rate already covered breakfast and dinner. The food was great, and the staff were attentive and polite. The quality was a really good deal for the price. Our house had its own semi-open bath, which I think all seven houses do. The hotel grounds were spacious and lovely, with a pretty garden and red leaves that made a nice photo spot. There were plenty of amenities, even face masks for women, and I liked that the room came with instructions for a matcha whisking experience. We drove, so the location worked fine for us. Highly recommend.

Ichizen sits near the top of a hill in Yufuin, so a taxi up is a good idea if you're carrying much luggage. Once there, the separate buildings give each room a quiet, private feel, and every room has its own attached onsen. There are also public hot springs, and both the private and public baths felt wonderful for body and spirit. The staff were exceptionally kind and professional. I speak English and Vietnamese but not Japanese, and the person helping us spoke all three. They even asked which language we'd prefer for the tour. Meals were served in a fancy style, with a special menu for our room, and everything was tasty and filling. The surrounding town has beautiful views, restaurants, museums, gift shops, and a whole floral village to explore. I stayed two nights and had one full day, and only scratched the surface. I definitely recommend visiting Yufuin and staying at Ichizen.

The room let the stay down. It felt dated, and the bathtub needed maintenance. Its edge was so sharp that I cut and injured my hands. The service, especially from the staff who weren't local, was quite good. They spoke very fluent Japanese and helped me a lot during my stay. The food was above average, with fresh ingredients. For the price and quality, I don't think it was very good value. There seem to be better ryokan options, and next time I'm in Yufuin I'll stay somewhere else.