Yufuin Sanso Waremokou

The wagyu yakiniku and jidori were a real highlight, and relaxing in the private onsen was the perfect extra. Our host was kind, welcoming, and incredibly helpful from check-in through check-out. Before we left, the owner took our photo and printed it as a thoughtful gift. Thanks as well for the generous freebies. We only stayed one night and should have made it longer. We'll definitely come back!

The view was amazing, especially from the hot tubs, though you have to stand to see the mountains and nature because of the privacy setup. There was plenty of space, privacy, and quiet, and another staff member showed us around the room and explained the onsen and dining area. Our room had two outdoor hot tubs and one indoor one. The view alone might justify a stay, though we could have found views like that in other onsen towns. Getting there requires a car, since the ryokan is high up on the mountain and away from the train station. Dinner and breakfast were included. Some BBQ items were more burnt than I liked, and a few dishes were less traditionally Japanese but interesting. I would have preferred meals in our room, though the dining area was only a short walk away. The room felt old and dated, especially the shower, toilet, and sink areas. There was also a vague urine smell in the toilet, possibly from the floor mats or toilet bowl, but I couldn't identify its source. I booked because of high ratings on travel sites like booking.com, but later realized those reviews were from 2015/6, when the facilities may have been in better shape. Given what we paid, it felt like a letdown. I've stayed at better five-star hotels and ryokans, though I was glad it was just one night. The staff were friendly, and one person showed us how to use the onsen and dining area. But the service felt more transactional than the warm, personal care I associate with a local ryokan, perhaps what I'd expected from Yufuin. The staff weren't local, which surprised me, and the place seemed more like a corporate business than a family-run establishment. More thoughtfulness around the room facilities would have helped. I also need to say this isn't a place for people with food allergies. I told staff twice that I was allergic to seafood except fish. With so many small dinner dishes, I had to ask about each one. The server didn't check and said there shouldn't be seafood in a dish, but my husband tried it first and found some. Even after I repeated the allergy, later dishes with seafood were served without warning. I understand the chef may already have prepared the set menu and a different one may not have been possible, but they could at least have flagged the dishes so I could avoid them. I kept having to ask about seafood and traces. The Japanese menu only gave general dish names, so I tried to use Google Translate, and the help from the serving staff wasn't sufficient. I saw a notice saying special accommodations for food allergies wouldn't be provided, which I can understand given the many tourists, but staff should still proactively tell guests what to avoid. If I could make the choice again, I'd probably do Yufuin as a day trip instead of staying overnight.

The staff took such great care of us that it felt like being at a relative’s home. Dinner was an incredible feast, so we’d suggest not eating beforehand.

I felt honored by the way these wonderful, beautiful staff treated us. I was lucky to share the stay with my daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law. There was lots of delicious food, especially the stewed fish and miso shiru, the tastiest I've ever had. Thank you so much. Aloha🤙