Sansou Shikian Ryokan

The grounds look lovely after dark with the lights on, and the staff were kind, attentive, and upbeat throughout. The food was the real standout, easily the best banquet we’ve had in Japan, with such careful attention to detail that it felt like an experience on its own. The room let the stay down. The backyard was unpleasant to look at, the deck had clearly not been cleaned, and there were no outdoor chairs to sit on. The rooms feel worn, and cleaning missed cobwebs in the indoor bathroom. There aren’t any irons on the property either, so travelers should know that. The owner should put money into updating the rooms, especially the bath area, and improving the gardens to make the place feel warmer. We still had a really enjoyable time, thanks especially to the food and staff.

The staff were lovely, and both dinner and breakfast were thoughtfully prepared. There were also several kinds of Japanese sake and shochu at very good prices. It’s a traditional Japanese-style stay, but the room has what you need, including a coffee machine and a really big smart TV. I’d recommend trying the outdoor onsen for a relaxing soak. The indoor bath takes a while to get ready.

Even with the New Year’s holiday and the freezing cold toilet, I’d give this place five stars. It was peaceful, the staff were professional, and the food was brilliant. When the Wi-Fi in my room didn’t work, they responded quickly and sent a small team to check it out. They clearly wanted to fix the problem and make sure I had a good stay. The dinner was excellent, with fresh vegetables, rich and tender wagyu, nicely made rice and noodles, and great side dishes. Since it was New Year’s, the staff had also prepared a small, beautifully presented box of traditional Japanese food. Breakfast was a buffet with lots of choices, mostly traditional Japanese dishes, and very tasty. The BBQ fish was especially good and very fresh. The room was huge, with a comfortable bed, a great coffee machine, lovely green tea, a giant TV, and an impeccable private onsen. I’ve been to Yufuin many times but hadn’t tried Shikian before. It’s a bit hard to get to, and public holidays make it tough to find a decent hot spring hotel, but I was really pleased with the experience and service.

The old-style dining room really added to the atmosphere, and the kids liked seeing the farm animals nearby. It’s out of the way, but still a beautiful spot. Our room was roomy and had a private onsen, though keep in mind the showers are outdoors. Dinner was a decent BBQ.