The inclusions such as matcha tea experience, welcome drink, ice cream buffet after dinner, the out of the way feel, but close enough to walk the gorge track and into town. Use of private onsen with a booking board. We stayed in a suite with our own onsen for 2 nights.

“Great stay with great staff in a retro onsen resort that exceeded expectations”

Beautiful team, Gina and staff were wonderful, helpful and warm. Plenty of stuff to entertain our 4yo, and reasonable space given to enjoy the experiences. I had low expectations given some reviews but really did enjoy ourselves. Some old reviews carried on about coffee (maybe at breakfast specifically?) but we found a reasonable dolce vista machine in the room, drip coffee in reception, coffee in vending machines etc, maybe no espresso system or barista there but coffee enough for us. Maybe just bring some milk from family mart if you want fresh (not creamer). Onsens were fantastic, and we had a spa suite room with terracotta mini onsen in our room, managed a private onsen plus dip in our own room before and after dinner and breakfast! Only an overnight stay but did it all. Last onsen resort we stayed in, staff were on top of us, kaseiki dinner in room (nice but stuffy), but at Ohanami Kyubei, we dined in main restaurants as part of our plans for dinner and breakfast and very much enjoyed it compared to kaseiki. As a family it’s good to have that space. Even managed a retro video game and time in kids play room! All in all though, the staff made the experience! Yamanaka onsen town itself was great also, walked the river track and took heaps of photos!

We enjoyed the many choices of free activities. Lovely quiet location, staff very friendly and professional. They organised a birthday cake for my son's birthday. He was very impressed when it was brought out at dinner, with staff singing birthday song and sprinkling gold flakes! The free private onsen was popular and had view of the valley and river.

“Relaxing stay close to nature”

The location of the hotel was right next to the stream/river, and we had a room on the lower floor just above the river, where could hear the sound of soothing flowing water. The food was buffet style, and was acceptable, though I expected a wider spread. They have an outdoor private onsen pool with lovely wooded view available for hotel guest to use

“A lovely time”

We stayed in the Japanese style room and it must have been newly renovated, because the inner decoration is very new, however the bathroom is a bit aged, but it didn't affected us as we didn't even use it at all, we mainly used the private and public onsen available in the hotel. The private onsen is available first-come-first serve, so recommend to reserve it early. There's welcome drinks and activities available before 6pm, which sadly we weren't able to try because we explored around the hotel and onsen town area (around 15-20 min walk away from hotel) instead, so there's not enough time to do everything. Highly recommend to get to the hotel early and explore the onsen town area and also walk along the trail by the river. Food served during dinner and breakfast were good, there's no many restaurant or convenient store around, so highly recommend to book their dinner & breakfast package. The hotel offers free pick up from the nearest station, which was very convenient. Appreciated that they have a gallery section which showcase the local art and craft. Noticed the hotel hired a lot of non-Japanese staffs for guest facing role, which is quite different from the other hotels we've stayed. Staffs are friendly in general.

“Extraordinary immersion in the Japanese onsen culture.”

Extraordinary immersion into the Japanese onsen community. We enjoyed sharing our 3-days experience with local Japanese tourists. Yamanaka has many fantastic authentic, family-owned laquerware and ceramic shops.

“Better than I expected”

Everything is great. Private onsens are good. I especially love the window in our room, so cool.

“Decent ryokan stay, but the public spaces could be improved”

We got a suite room with onboard breakfast and dinner. The suite was massive! We had 2 twin beds plus an additional futon room (we didn't use it because we were only 2 people). The suite has its own onsen bathtub with an outdoor river view, which was the highlight of our stay because we could bathe anytime. The food for dinner and breakfast was decent. There were plenty of snacks and other free amenities in the lobby. We received a welcome drink as well. There were free shuttle buses for transport between Kagaonsen station and the ryokan, just need to book them in advance by speaking to the ryokan staff. As we had our own ensuite onsen bathtub, we didn't make use of the public baths, but they were available and we saw a lot of families use them.

“We had the best time here”

We loved our stay here; it was the perfect few days of relaxation after lots of walking and sightseeing. Breakfast was great, we really enjoyed all the activities, onsen, and games. The personal was very lovely.

Comfortable beds, great facilities (eg dango making, loved playing old Nintendo games, great onsen Lovely staff - one in particular went out of her way to help me find vegetarian options at breakfast

“wonderful relaxing stay at this property”

beautiful property, comfortable rooms with lovely view. great onsen

“A good hotel overall, but not the magical ryokan experience I was hoping for.”

Great public onsen, and a wonderful private bath in our room. I personally loved that the hotel was frequented almost exclusively by Japanese families and couples and not overrun by foreign tourists (except for myself and my partner - ironic, I know) - it made the stay feel like an authentic, contemporary Japanese experience. The room with retro Nintendo games was a very pleasant surprise.

“The best example of traditional ryokan hospitality!”

This is a remarkable ryokan, well-managed and run with high, traditional Japanese standards. The location is excellent, tucked away overlooking the river, yet only a short walk into town. There is plenty of on-site, free parking. Staff are warm and welcoming; helpful and very professional. Nothing was too much trouble. Our room was large, with a small lounge area overlooking the river and the hills beyond. The futon bedding was extremely comfortable, with crisp linens, soft pillows and fluffy duvets. Everything was very, very clean and well-maintained. There was an abundance of fresh towels and yakuta from which you could help yourself. There are free snacks, coffee, sake, noodle bowls, and ice cream at various times during the day. The indoor public and outdoor, private baths are lovely, with almost every amenity you could wish for. Breakfast was cooked to order and delicious.

“A peaceful and relaxing onsen stay with amazing food, exceptional service, and a perfect riverside location. Highly reco”

The food was excellent, with beautifully presented dishes that highlighted local flavors. The service was exceptional. All the staff were warm, friendly, and attentive throughout the stay. The amenities and activities, such as dango making and sake tasting, were wonderful touches that made the experience even more memorable. I also appreciated that they offered both public and private onsens that could be booked easily. The ryokan is right by the Daishoji River and Kakusenkei Gorge Promenade, making it perfect for peaceful morning or evening walks surrounded by nature.

“We had the best time here”

We loved our stay here; it was the perfect few days of relaxation after lots of walking and sightseeing. Breakfast was great, we really enjoyed all the activities, onsen, and games. The personal was very lovely.

“Secluded and relaxing”

Clean with very courteous staff

“Romantic luxurious suite in the most peaceful scenery.”

We stayed in the suite which was absolutely amazing. Whilst the hotel might be somewhat old we found our room to be better than expected. Loved the bath. Comfortable wonderful beds. Beautiful interior. Very spacious. Good sound isolation. Lovely sceneries surrounding. Cosy to sometimes open the window to fall asleep to the sound of the river, surrounded by forest and mountains. Loved the private booking for onsen as well - amazing amazing views. We really enjoyed yamanakaonsen as an area even more than expected. There are cute cafes and restaurants just a 15min walk away and a nice 30-40min walk in the forest around the river. The staff was kind and helpful all the time. The free activities were fine but nothing that was of importance to us. Possibly nice bonus for families with children.

Room and facilities The town and river walk

“Not what I expected. The room was quite run down. Very expensive for what it was.”

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful.

“Excellent”

Peaceful Tidy Good Mountain View Onsen is hot enough Many choices of snack are free