BEST 5 Japanese Inns with Private Hot Spring Baths

BEST 5 Japanese Inns with Private Hot Spring Baths

Hi, we’re on our way to Echigo-Yuzawa Station in Niigata Prefecture. It’s about 200km, or approximately 80 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo Sta. Today, we’re staying at a historic ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn with hot springs. We’ve arrived at Echigo-Yuzawa Station! There are sizeable souvenir shops and even footbaths; it’s quite bustling here. We’re going to take a bus to the ryokan, but since we have time, let’s go to a café☕. Actually, this cafe is on the 1st floor of the sister inn of the ryokan where we’ll be staying today. Roll cake: 480 yen (3.47 USD / € 3.22). Sasa-dango: 180 yen (1.30 USD/ € 1.20) per piece. It’s a traditional sweet from Niigata, which consists of mugwort mochi wrapped in bamboo leaves. Hot spring black tea: 420 yen (3.03 USD / € 2.82). It doesn’t taste like hot spring. It’s just simply delicious. Amazake: 400 yen (2.89 USD / € 2.68). Now, let’s head to the ryokan! The bus stop is right in front of the café. The bus is free, but there’s only one service per day, and reservations are necessary. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the ryokan. Niigata, Japan’s top rice producer with abundant fields, is also one of the country’s snowiest regions. >>Staff: You’ll notice that local houses are painted top and bottom in different colors. >>Staff: When winter comes, the snow will pile up to the level of the bottom color. >>Staff: Also, in this area, all the traffic lights are vertically long. >>Staff: It’s designed this way to make it a little easier when the snow piles up. We’ve arrived at the ryokan! Ryugon, built on a 5,000㎡ site, was restructured from a manor house. The majority of the buildings are about 200 years old, and some have even been designated as national cultural properties. Due to aging, they were renovated in 2019. It’s a wonderful space where traditional Japanese folk house vibes and modern design are mixed! Let’s check in. >>Staff: Feel free to sit anywhere in this tatami room. “Important Cultural Property.” >>Staff: I’ll process your check-in. >>Staff: We have you reserved for two guests, with two meals included for your overnight stay. Is that correct? >>Staff: I will show you to your room. Right this way, please. >>Staff: Your room is ready, but I’d like to show you some other places first. >>Staff: The large bath is at the end of this corridor, open until 1 a.m. and from 5 a.m. tomorrow. >>Staff: Open the left door to find a vending machine on your right and a smoking area on your left. >>Staff: This is the bar. We have drinks available, so please make use of it. >>Staff: This is the main dining area. Please come here when it’s time for breakfast and dinner. >>Staff: This is also a free space, so please relax and make yourself comfortable. >>Staff: There is a garden outside. >>Staff: The weather is nice today, so you should go out and see it. >>Staff: We’ve also prepared outdoor shoes. >>Staff: Please change your shoes here when you come to this place. >>Staff: Alright, let’s proceed to your room now. >>Staff: It’s a lovely time for fresh greenery, don’t you think? The climate is perfect too. >>Staff: In winter, everything becomes white with snow, and you can’t see anything. >>Staff: Walls of snow form. >>Staff: The roof also gets covered in snow very quickly. >>Staff: The snow comes all the way in, and the road gradually narrows, so we shovel the snow hard. >>Staff: Your room is a bit far, it’s quite a walk, isn’t it? >>Staff: The entrance is narrow, but the room is quite deep. It’s pretty extensive from end to end. >>Staff: There’s a place to put boards so that the windows don’t break from the snow. >>Staff: We protect the window glass from breaking by using wooden boards. >>Staff: Even so, there can be times when the windows break. >>Staff: This is your room. Please, come in. >>Staff: It’s okay to take off your slippers at the entrance. >>Staff: Please take a look around. Thank you. >>Staff: The open-air bath has a flowing hot spring source. >>Staff: You can go outside when you unlock the door. >>Staff: If there’s anything you don’t understand, please call the front desk. >>Staff: Feel free to use the tablet. >>Staff: You can boil water here and enjoy coffee and other drinks. >>Staff: There are water and other beverages in the refrigerator. Everything is complimentary. >>Staff: Over here, you’ll find various types of cups. >>Staff: There are switches for the air conditioning and lights. >>Staff: This is the bath. >>Staff: This bath is not a hot spring. >>Staff: We have towels and bathrobes available. >>Staff: This is the toilet. The lights turn on automatically when you enter. >>Staff: I apologize for moving around so much. haha >>Staff: This is the bedroom. You can control the bed light with a switch. >>Staff: There are also switches for the air conditioner and lights. >>Staff: When visiting the large public bath, please bring a bath towel. >>Staff: Please use this bag. >>Staff: You can walk around anywhere in the inn while wearing a yukata. >>Staff: This is a safety box. >>Staff: You can lock it with a 4-digit PIN. Thank you for the thorough explanation! I’m deeply impressed by this lovely room! The sofa is large and comfortable. There seems to be a guidebook on the desk, and it has English annotations. Oh, a hot spring bun! In Japan, you often see these brown buns in every hot spring area. Inside is sweet bean paste. It’s sweet, tasty, and soothes the heart. We have beer, juice and tea. This is the view from the private open-air bath in the room. Since there is a large public bath, we will go there right away. There are mainly three types of rooms: Villa Suite, Classic, and Private Villa. Our room is a Villa Suite. The Classic is a little smaller than the Villa Suite. And the Private Villa is a whole traditional house for rent. Since our room is at the very end, it’s a bit of a walk to the large public bath. However, this gives us a chance to leisurely admire the beautiful inn, which is very nice. The large public bath is available from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. I heard that this bathhouse is a relocated building that was once used as a rice warehouse. It’s well cleaned. There are three washbasins. Skin care products, amenities, and a hairdryer are of course fully equipped. Oh, it’s spacious. This hot spring, reputed for fatigue recovery, keeps you warm long after your bath. Shampoo and other products. And there’s also an open-air bath! It’s so comfortable that I could soak in this bath forever. There’s also a sauna in the bathroom. Private hot springs and massage machines are available for use without reservation, if free. At the bar counter, from 17:00 to 19:30, you can enjoy free sake and plum wine as an aperitif. The chilled drinks after a bath were the best! You can also freely eat and drink snacks and teas. Lemon cake. Bakauke. Before we knew it, it was pitch dark outside. It’s time for dinner. You could go out and eat at a nearby restaurant, but this time we made a reservation at the inn’s dining room. >>Staff: Are you enjoying your stay? Please continue to enjoy your meal. >>Staff: We have prepared a Snow Country Gastronomy full course meal for you. We ordered non-alcoholic craft beer and apple juice. >>Staff: This is the appetizer. It represents the daily life and living of the snow country. The top tier has spring herbs, the middle tier has mountain vegetables, and the bottom tier has seafood. It’s delicious. >>Staff: This is a soup of mugwort tofu and mountain vegetables. It uses a mountain vegetable called Shiode. >>Staff: This is an assortment of fresh fish from the Sea of Japan. >>Staff: The one on the far right is rockfish. Please enjoy it with lemon and salt. >>Staff: Next is Spanish mackerel. It’s flavored with ponzu sauce. Please eat it with grated radish. >>Staff: On the left is squid. Please eat it with shiso miso. It’s soft and very delicious! >>Staff: This is sea bream, steamed with celery wrap. It encases celery tofu, surrounded by cherry sea bream. >>Staff: The sauce is tortoiseshell candy. It’s a taste I’ve never had before, but it’s good. It’s a local dish that you can only eat here. >>Staff: This is a mountain vegetable rice. >>Staff: The sauce I just poured is a combination of butterbur sprout and olive oil. You can smell the unique aroma of butterbur sprout. It’s a bit bitter. >>Staff: This is the Sea of Japan’s natural monkfish and grilled vegetables. >>Staff: The sauce on top is monkfish liver sauce. Each ingredient is satisfying and delicious. >>Staff: This is a low-frequency roast of Niigata A5 Wagyu beef. >>Staff: We use a sour sauce made from blueberries and strawberries. >>Staff: We cook rice in an earthen pot. >>Staff: This is a two-lid pot! >>Staff: Now for the real thing. >>Staff: It’s cooked to a glossy finish! >>Staff: It’s a first-class Koshihikari rice from Uonuma, Shiozawa district limited. >>Staff: The miso soup is Kenchin soup. >>Staff: The side dish for the rice is a heap of pickled vegetables. The rice from Niigata is really delicious! The meat is tender and nice! The sauce also matches well. Finally, it’s time for dessert. >>Staff: This is a strawberry vanilla cake. Please enjoy it with roasted green tea. >>Staff: That concludes the full course. Thank you very much. We are satisfied with the taste of Niigata. Thank you for the meal! Let’s go back to our room. The night has a solemn atmosphere, it’s cool. Relaxing time in the small living room in the bedroom. We are full so we’ll take a little break. The free wi-fi is comfortably usable. Time to check the amenities! Hairdryer. Razor. Hairbrush. Toothbrush. Cotton swabs. Cotton pads. In the hot spring, there is a rule to tie up long hair. It’s very helpful to have hair bands and hair clips. Disposable skincare products. Toner, moisturizing gel, cleansing and face wash. Now it’s time to get into the open-air bath in the room we’ve been looking forward to! It’s pitch black and we can’t see anything. Our senses are sharpened and we can relax. It felt good. We’ve brushed our teeth, so let’s go to bed. Goodnight. Good morning. Coffee & tea time Darjeeling, Jasmine, or Earl Grey. I’ll go with Jasmine tea. Now, it’s time for breakfast. >>Staff: Here is Koya Tofu and Ganmodoki. >>Staff: This is Red Snapper and Fried Tofu. >>Staff: You can have seconds of rice, please feel free to use it. Breakfast is also delicious local cuisine from Niigata☺. Everything is good, but the grilled fish is especially good. This is a mushroom hot pot. It’s full of vegetables and mushrooms, a gentle flavor for the body. Despite the amount of food at hot spring inns, I can always manage to finish it. At last, let’s get into the open-air bath in the room. It feels so good that we forget about time passing. It’s about time to go. Check out is by noon, but please be careful about the time if you are taking the free bus back. Actually, at ryugon, in addition to lodging, there are also workshops such as cooking local dishes with locals and making plum wine. I want to try those, and I also thought it would be nice to stay when there is a lot of snow. Anyway, it was a really wonderful inn and I want to stay there again someday! There are staff who can speak English. Please consider it as one of your ideas for traveling in Japan. I’ll return the key. The total cost for this stay, including all room charges and meal expenses, is 97,042 yen (700.31 USD / € 648.79). The cost of the room varies depending on the rank and season, so please check the official website or description for details. >>Staff: Please watch your step. It’s about an 18-minute walk to Muikamachi Station, so we plan to return on foot. >>Staff: Thank you. Thank you so much. “Welcome, we’ve been expecting you.” Staying at a hot spring ryokan in the Japanese countryside. Enjoy delicious meals, hot springs, exceptional hospitality, and traditional culture. Please enjoy this quintessentially Japanese experience to the fullest. “Please relax and enjoy your stay.” Hi! We are boarding an express bus from Shinjuku Station. Today, we’re staying at a hot spring inn in Nagano Prefecture. It takes about 4 hours to get to the “Igara” bus stop from Shinjuku Station. From Tokyo, you could also take a bullet train or regular train. But the express bus is the easiest and fastest way to get there. If you’re coming from Kyoto, you can take an express bus from Nagoya to “Hirugami Onsen.” There was some traffic, but we’ve finally arrived. Arrived at the bus stop “Igara.” From here, we’ll take the inn’s free shuttle bus. The shuttle bus requires reservations, and it’s about a 20-minute ride. We are now in Achi Village, Nagano, celebrated for Japan’s most beautiful starry skies. Hirugami Onsen, located here, is famous for its silky, skin-soothing hot springs. Today, we’re staying at a single-story ryokan, rich in traditional charm. The grand gate marks the entrance to the ryokan. The river flows right in front of us, offering a scenic view. The riverside is well-suited for brief rests and strolls. >> Staff: Please allow me to show you around. There’s a Japanese garden at the front entrance. The name of inn ‘Sekitaitei’ combines the kanji for ‘stone’ (石) and ‘moss’ (苔). The stone-paved path leading to the entrance is very impressive. The inn was founded in 1983. Surprisingly, it has a short history but feels prestigious. >> Okami(Landlady): Hello, welcome. Thank you for the wonderful welcome. The first thing you see is a Noh stage painted with pine trees. Beautiful. It’s a space that exudes tranquility and the aesthetic of wabi-sabi. Welcome sweets and drinks. You can choose from several drinks. My husband chose matcha. Mine is sparkling wine. The inn’s original Manju (sweet bun). It’s filled with plenty of chewy mochi and sweet bean paste. At the Noh stage, there are nightly performances of Japanese traditional arts. Tonight, we’ll attend a Kyogen (traditional Japanese comedy). >> Staff: To your right is our gift shop. >> Staff: Open today until 8:30 pm and will reopen tomorrow at 7:00 am. This ryokan has a single-story layout, rare for inns. Several renovations have given the ryokan a maze-like layout. The garden, with its black bamboo, rocks, and lush greenery, is stunning. >> Staff: Here are the public baths, with separate areas for men, women, and private baths. >> Staff: This is the cooling-off area post-bath. >> Staff: Your room today is 107 “Iorino Ume.” There are 17 rooms in total, each with a different layout. Each room’s name is inspired by the titles of Kyogen plays. >> Staff: This is room 107 “Iorino Ume.” An overnight stay for two, with meals, costs 101,200 yen (680.44 USD / € 619.8). >> Staff: Here’s the restroom. >> Staff: Bottled water in the fridge is complimentary. >> Staff: This is the changing room, with yukatas and a safe in the closet. >> Staff: This is the bedroom. This is the living room. >> Staff: Now, let me show you the bath. It’s directly connected to the outdoors and even has a garden. Dressing room and washbasin area. >> Staff: This is the hot spring, featuring the same skin-friendly water as the public baths. Opening the sliding doors, you’ll find a terrace. You can relax here while enjoying the view of the garden. It’s really nice. >> Staff: Thank you very much for visiting “Sekitaitei Ishida”. Tea was prepared using the room’s Japanese tea set. >> Staff: That concludes our introduction. Please enjoy your stay. The staff here really show wonderful care and attention. Thank you very much. It’s nice that we can enjoy tea and sweets in our room too. This is also an original sweet from the ryokan. Walnut monaka. The room’s decor is delicate and beautiful. It’s a really nice room. I’ll also give you a special introduction to some other rooms. Room 108, “Okosako.” It’s the same grade as our room. But the layout and atmosphere are completely different. This room comes with a hot spring bath too. Room 133, “Chidori.” This is the most affordable room type, without a hot spring. At first glance, it’s a normal Japanese-style room, but it has an interesting structure. The rooms are arranged in a U-shape, surrounding a garden. Room 112, “Zaihou.” This room type is themed as a “hideaway.” A well-maintained garden. And an open-air bath. As for the ‘hideaway’ aspect, I heard it’s found in the bedroom area. Let’s go. Unusual for a hot spring inn, there’s a theater room. Proceed through a very narrow entrance. And you’ll find a stylish study. Quite the enjoyable hideaway, this is. We’ve come to the garden in front of the entrance. Everything is beautifully maintained, giving a peaceful feeling. An approximately 800-year-old zelkova tree. The landlady decorating flowers in the lobby. Now it’s time for dinner. >> Staff: We’ll prepare your meal. This time, we will have our meal in the room. >> Staff: Today’s dishes are themed around September 9th’s ‘Chrysanthemum Festival.’ >> Staff: We have prepared dishes decorated with chrysanthemums. >> Staff: For an aperitif, we have chrysanthemum sake with a flower floating in it. >> Staff: It’s a sweet sake named Michel. >> Staff: Chrysanthemum sake is believed to bring longevity and ward off evil spirits. Let’s eat. Dishes include pumpkin, whelk, and crab stick sushi. The chestnut burr is made of soba and monaka, so you can eat it whole. I’ve already spotted a chrysanthemum flower. I ordered cold sake. My husband is toasting with juice again today. Steamed in a teapot. First, let’s enjoy the broth. The aroma and flavor of matsutake mushrooms permeate your whole body. It’s delicious! >> Staff: Next, we have sashimi. >> Staff: Today, we’ve prepared sea bream, bluefin tuna, shrimp, and fresh sea urchin. Nagano, a landlocked prefecture. The seafood comes from Ise Bay in Aichi. The shrimp are large and very plump. Staff bring warm meals to the room one at a time. >> Staff: This is chestnut rice. >> Staff: The Chrysanthemum Festival, also known as the Chestnut Festival, celebrated the harvest with chestnuts. It is bite-sized. Here comes the Shinshu beef steak. Shinshu beef is a breed of black cattle raised in Nagano Prefecture. Normally raised for 30 months, the beef we have today was raised for 40 months. This extended aging makes the beef exceptionally tender. Let’s also grill some mushrooms and vegetables. Even when grilled well, you can feel how tender it remains. With a rich onion sauce full of onions. The rich flavor of the beef pairs perfectly with the sweet onions. Add some butter for flavoring. It smells wonderful. Cooking your own steak allows you to enjoy it just the way you like, adding to the fun. Salt-grilled ayu fish (sweetfish). It’s packed with eggs. The sides include bayberry and radish cut in the shape of chrysanthemums. The menu lets you enjoy seasonal ingredients from Southern Nagano. The portions of each dish aren’t very large, but there are many dishes. >> Staff: This is aubergine simmered in Dutch style and sweet simmered herring. >> Staff: It’s served with okra. I liked it so much I took some from my husband’s portion. Next is a vinegared dish. Steamed abalone. Spaghetti squash. I tried spaghetti squash for the first time. Have you ever had it? The last savory course. >> Staff: This is local Shinshu Koshihikari rice from Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. >> Staff: Here’s the red miso soup. >> Staff: For pickles, we offer yellow radish, Nozawana with kelp, and eggplant. The overall presentation and seasoning are elegant, making the sake even more enjoyable. I’m stuffed to the brim. Dessert is Shine Muscat and pear. Fruits have a separate stomach. They’re juicy and delicious. Thank you for the feast. It’s completely night now. Starting at 8:30 pm, we’ll head to the Noh stage for a free classical performance for guests. Today’s kyogen, ‘Sawaridama,’ was conceived by Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki. Naoki Henmi, a kyogen performer and this ryokan’s former president. >> Henmi-san: “Shishinden” is the name given to this Noh stage. >> Henmi-san: Every evening, performers from local arts take turns on this stage. >> Henmi-san: They bring you an enjoyable night. >> Henmi-san: Kyogen is a traditional Japanese comedy. >> Henmi-san: So, relax your shoulders and laugh whenever you find it funny. >> Henmi-san: And now, the tale of ‘Sawaridama’ begins! Kyogen originated 600 years ago. The stage setting is minimal, and archaic Japanese is used. The story is conveyed through facial expressions and movements. This story features two characters. The character wearing the mask is ‘Kotodama-uri.’ He troubled by a “Sawaridama,” which is said to bring misfortune. Taro-Kaja’ finds the discarded “Sawaridama” and decides to taste it. Experiencing traditional Japanese arts is a highlight of your stay. Other events, including Japanese drum and juggling, are listed on the ryokan’s official site. It’s turned into a special and lovely evening. Let’s take a bath! There are two types of yukata. A jacket for wearing with the yukata. Keep doors closed to prevent insects from entering. Let’s skip the public bath today and head to the room’s bath instead. Even just the skincare products come in many types. Cotton pads and swabs. Hair ties. Shower cap. Hairbrush. Razor. Environmentally-friendly bamboo toothbrush. It’s nice that the room’s bath also has hot spring water. Hirugami Onsen is known for its silky smooth quality. It’s a alkaline simple sulfur spring that helps remove old skin cells. The silky touch of the water feels like being enveloped, which is very comforting. Opening the door makes it feel open and airy. At night, the subtle lighting of the garden is beautiful. There are plenty of bath towels. Hair becomes silky smooth with the Refa hairdryer. Achi Village is recognized for Japan’s most beautiful starry skies. So, let’s go see the starry sky. You can see it from the room, but we’ll go to a completely dark place for a better view. Wow, it’s so beautiful. To the naked eye, the starry sky looks even more vast and more beautiful. Good night. Good morning. We’ve come to the “Asaichi Hiroba” just a 3-minute walk from the ryokan. It’s a local direct sales shop that’s open until 8 am every day. This whale leather wallet is cute! We even had our name put on it. There are various foods like pickles and vegetables. Speaking of Nagano, apples. We got to taste various apples. Bought a huge apple called “Suwakko.” Nagano’s local dish, “Oyaki.” I chose the one with burdock. I met a cute sparrow named ‘Chun.’ It seems to know everyone at this market. It was getting fed in various places. Manganji peppers that aren’t spicy. They’re beautiful. The shopkeepers were all so friendly, making shopping a lot of fun. Back in our room now. Nibbling on oyaki before breakfast. It’s packed with burdock. So good. It’s breakfast time. Breakfast is being prepared in our room again this morning. White rice and miso soup. >> Staff: Today you have reserved the “Tanka Zen.” >> Staff: It is composed of 31 dishes, reflecting the 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure of a tanka poem. >> Staff: It includes 29 side dishes, plus rice and miso soup. Thank you. This Tanka Zen needs to be reserved in advance. Each of the 31 dishes is different. The first bite… is tamagoyaki. Vegetable stew, spicy cod roe, and other Japanese dishes. It’s hard to decide what to eat. The presentation is beautiful, and it’s nice to taste a little bit of everything. Everything is delicious. You can get seconds if you run out of rice. Ending with an orange. Thank you for the meal. Now, let’s head to the large public bath. The gender-separated public baths switch types each morning. And one private bath that you can use freely when available. (Filming with permission.) To the right are “Onigayado,” “Ishigami,” and “Shimizu.” All named after kyogen play titles. The changing room has baskets and bath towels. The vanity area is spacious, with quality skincare products and dryers available. Now, to the bath! It’s spacious. Plenty of showers too. And the hot spring! It’s beautiful. The bath appears blue due to the tub’s color, but the water is actually clear and colorless. Ahh, the temperature is just right and feels great. Looking at the rocks from the bath. Rugged and cool. The bath area features both indoor and open-air options. It’s an open-air bath surrounded by rocks. It’s sunny, so the floor stones look very clean. This spring water benefits the skin and also helps with neuralgia, muscle pain, and more. This silky water quality never gets old, no matter how many times you soak in it. That was a good bath. Now we’ve come to another public bath. This changing room is also very spacious. Wow, this is a nice bath. Shower stalls. The sound of water and view of the bamboo forest are wonderful. The open-air bath is this way. Wow! This bath is also surrounded by rocks. Coming at night, you’d probably soak in the hot spring under the starry sky. It’s like a cave inside, and you can go all the way in. It feels like a steam bath inside due to the trapped heat. Finally, to the private bath. “Occupied.” No reservation needed, and you can enter if it’s available. Interior lock. Oh, this private bath is quite spacious. The bath is roomy enough for families or couples to use comfortably. We were able to relax thoroughly. The resting area offers medicinal herbal tea and detox water. After the bath, lemon detox water. Cold and good! Next to the Noh stage “Shishinden,” there’s a café. At night, it turns into a bar. They offer a full café menu including coffee and seasonal lattes. Drip coffee made with rare “Peaberry” coffee beans. Latte art by the vice-landlady. I chose a pairing with roasted green tea latte. My husband went for a pairing with drip coffee. The sweets include homemade orangettes, pound cake, and chocolate cheesecake. My husband was truly impressed with the taste of the coffee. Marron chocolat. Cute. It’s spiced well, not too sweet, and delicious. The presentation is really lovely too. The drink and sweets pair wonderfully and taste great. Check-out is until 11 am, so there’s time to relax. Next to the shop, there’s also a tea room. Normally it’s reservation-only and used for tea ceremonies. But I was allowed a quick look inside. The entrance and other parts are low-built, true to traditional tea rooms. Oh, it connects to the outside. There were geta shoes available, so I borrowed a pair. Maintaining this garden must be hard work, but it’s well-kept. The greenery glows in the morning light, looking even more beautiful. You can see a lot of stones and moss. We’re back at the entrance. We found another interesting place next to the reception. On the left is a spa. And there’s a small entrance right in front… which leads to a hidden theater room, unexpectedly! It’s surprising to find such unexpected places in a ryokan. It’s free to use whenever it’s not already occupied. A unique and enjoyable stay, preserving Japanese aesthetics—found a great ryokan! Hirugami is also famous for its natural beauty, like peach trees and autumn leaves. Though we came at a transitional season with nothing much happening… we still saw some very beautiful scenes. I’d like to see the pink blossoms of the peach trees too. Hi! we’re in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. Today, we’re staying at a hot spring inn near Lake Toya. Lake Toya is a caldera lake formed by a massive eruption about 110,000 years ago. It is known for hosting the G8 summit in 2008. The Lake Toya Onsen has a history of over 100 years. First, we’re heading to Toya Station by train. The limited express train takes about 40 minutes from Noboribetsu to Toya Station. We’ve arrived at Toya Station! From here, we’re hopping in a taxi to our hotel. The taxi ride from Toya Station to the hotel is about 20 minutes. It’s a bit far. >> Driver: This is Lake Toya. Thank you! We’ve arrived! This is “The Lake Suite KO-no-SUMIKA.” An onsen resort hotel with the concept of “living on Lake Toya.” Located closest to Lake Toya, all rooms have a lake view and come with a private open-air bath. Wow, there’s a spectacular view of Lake Toya right at the entrance! It’s majestic and beautiful. OK, let’s check in. The lobby is a relaxing space where you can enjoy the view of Lake Toya. You can drink coffee, juice, alcohol, and other beverages for free. Overall, the atmosphere is calm and lovely. >> Staff: Thank you for your patience. >> Staff: Your room is No. 709, a terrace room. >> Staff: Also, let me introduce tonight’s event. >> Staff: Tonight, we have the Lake Toya Long Run Fireworks Display scheduled for 8:45 PM. >> Staff: Roughly 10 minutes later, around 8:55 PM, the fireworks launch boat will be right in front of the hotel. >> Staff: You can see it beautifully from your room, so please enjoy. >> Staff: The elevator is in the back to your right. Take care. Check-in complete. Thank you! We’ve got our key card, so let’s head to our room. There are two elevators. Our room is on the 7th floor. Everything is clean and has a calming atmosphere. It’s so nice. Our room is number 709. Here it is. The door is auto-locking. We’ll unlock it with our key card. Here’s the entrance. Let’s take off our shoes and go inside. The slippers are likely for use in hotel common areas. The restroom is right in front of us. It’s a clean restroom equipped with a bidet system. The room is very spacious and feels great! It has a terrace with a view of Lake Toya. It’s 54.5m² with a capacity for 3-4 people. I love the interior that seems like a mix of a Japanese and Western style room. There’s a simple shelf in the corner of the room. An internal phone to the front desk and a speaker. A coffee set and hot spring manju buns! Tea bags of green tea and Darjeeling tea. A set for making tea and coffee. There’s a small refrigerator at the very bottom. Bottles of hotel-original water. They’re free. Two single beds and a sofa bed. There’s a TV too. Here’s the bath and washbasin. Bathrobes, hangers, and an odor spray. These are tabi, socks for use with a yukata. Safety box. The yukata’s top. The yukata and obi. The washbasin. There are two taps and a large mirror. Cups for brushing your teeth. A small trash can. Both hot and cold water come out. Amenities and hand soap. A small mirror and tissues. A skincare set from the brand Omnisance Paris. Cleansing milk, face wash, toner, cream, and cotton pads. Cotton swabs. Shower cap and scrunchie. Body wash towel. Toothbrush. Shaving set. Hairbrush. Bath towels and bath mat. This is a hairdryer. It’s a Koizumi product. Here’s the bath. The shower room. Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. And the onsen! Private open-air hot spring bath with a great view. Awesome. Between the living room and the bath, there’s a glass window that you can open and close with a roller blind. The stone bath is big enough for two adults to get in together. It connects to the terrace, and you can go directly outside. By the way, you can boat to that uninhabited island over there, called ‘Nakajima’. There are two chairs in front of the living room window. Of course, you can go out to the terrace from the living room. There’s a large sofa. I’m so excited to watch the fireworks from here tonight. Well, that concludes our room tour. Let’s go have dinner. Since it’s auto-locking, we mustn’t forget our key card. Actually, this is my first time in Hokkaido, and “Hokkaido gourmet” is one of the things I’ve been most looking forward to on this trip. When you think of Hokkaido, crabs, miso ramen, melons… I wonder what we can eat at the restaurant. The restaurant is located in another hotel called “Sun Palace Resort & Spa”, at the end of this passageway. The ‘Sun Palace Resort & Spa’ has a pool and an arcade, and guests of Konosumika can enjoy them freely. Actually, the KO-no-SUMIKA where we’re staying opened in 2019 as an annex to the “Sun Palace Resort & Spa”. Therefore, we can freely move between the two hotels. However, guests of “Sun Palace Resort & Spa” cannot go to Konosumika. We’ve arrived at the dinner venue. >>Staff: Thank you for waiting. We will guide you in order. We will hand over our dinner tickets and enter. The restaurant is buffet-style. There are a lot of delicious-looking dishes lined up. It’s very spacious and beautiful, isn’t it? Thank you. >>Staff: For today’s meal, we have a selection of dishes served at your table as well as a buffet available. >>Staff: When you see steam coming from the lid of the pot, it’s a sign that it’s ready to eat. >>Staff: The lid can get hot, so please call a staff member when you want to remove it. Bouillabaisse with lobster. Crab, tuna, shrimp, sea bream, bonito! Let’s go get our food. Salad, fried chicken, soba… there’s just so much food. Most dishes seem to use ingredients sourced from Hokkaido. Seafood such as sashimi and crab are all-you-can-eat! In the back, there are live kitchens. You can have the chef make fresh sushi, tempura, steak, etc. for you. The drinks are also plentiful. and there are lots of types of desserts! We brought back a lot! Crab, huge fried shrimp, sushi and so on… Let’s eat! Umm, having a variety of tasty food options makes dining fun. It’s so good! The desserts are cute and really yum. Despite the wide variety, each one is of high quality and satisfying. Thank you for the meal. Well, this is the lobby of Hotel Sun Palace. It’s luxurious and cool, isn’t it! In front of us is the hotel garden, Lake Toya, and Nakajima. The evening is beautiful too. Let’s bring our yukata and go to the bath. Although there’s a hot spring in our room, we’ll go to the public bath. The public bath is on the 8th floor. “An open-air bath floating in the sky.” Next to the onsen, there’s even a free fitness room open 24 hours a day. Let’s go take a look. There are 3 training machines. Looks like there’s a bike, a stepper, and a treadmill, right? Towels and water are also provided. Since we ate a lot, let’s exercise before taking a bath. We have special permission to film in the public bath outside of business hours. Please enjoy. You take off your slippers at the entrance and go up. The bath is straight ahead, and if you turn left, there’s a changing area. It’s quite spacious! And very clean. There are bath towels and lockers for your belongings. You can choose any locker and lock it. Towards the back, there are dressing tables. There’s amenities, like skincare products and hair ties. Of course, each seat has a hairdryer. Further in, there’s a lounge for after your bath. Lovely! Water cooler. Fruit ice pops! There’s a terrace where you can cool down your heated body after onsen. The wind feels great. Once you’re completely undressed, let’s enter the bath. Straight ahead, there are shower rooms with a great view. Each shower stall is separated. Shampoo, conditioner, body soap. Ok, let’s go to the indoor bath. Wow, it’s amazing. There’s a large window and you can see lake very well. The onsen is transparent and it doesn’t have a strong smell. Lake Toya Onsen has various effects such as beautifying the skin, and relieving neuralgia and muscle pain. There’s even a dry sauna. There’s a large window in the sauna so you can see the outside view. You can also watch TV. Cold water is also provided in front of the sauna room, which is quite thoughtful. Regular cold bath and Jacuzzi cold bath. And then, the open-air bath! I wonder if it’s really “an open-air bath floating in the sky.” Wow, how beautiful! It’s amazing. The design makes it feel as if it’s integrated with Lake Toya. It looks like the onsen stretches out forever. The bathtub is divided into 3 levels and the bottom level is a standing bath with a water depth of 120cm. The temperature is just right. It goes up to your chest, so it warms you to the core. What a magnificent view！ At night, you could see a beautiful starry sky. The second level bath is of normal depth. The distant mountain on the island, resembling Mount Fuji, is known as ‘Ezo Fuji (Hokkaido Fuji).’ The bath on the highest level is the type where you lie down. The water is shallow and there’s a pillow. Wouldn’t it be nice to watch the fireworks from here while soaking in the bath at night? The bath was so good, I wanted to go in again and again. Now, the Lake Toya Fireworks Festival is about to start! Let’s enjoy it from the terrace of our room, wearing a yukata. It’s started! At first, you can’t see it, but the ship launching the fireworks gradually comes this way. Wow, how beautiful. I love fireworks! This Fireworks Festival in 2023 is held every day from April 28 to October 31, except in bad weather. What you see floating in the far left is a paid sightseeing boat, offering a lake view of the fireworks. You can watch it for free from hotels around the lake or from the lakeside promenade. Be sure to check it out when you visit Hokkaido. The colorful fireworks are reflected on the lake surface, creating a fantastical and romantic scene. Wow. Thank you, fireworks artisans, for the wonderful night. It’s about time to go to bed. Simmons mattress. Feels good. Good night. Good morning. The mist is beautiful in its own way. Breakfast is at the same buffet restaurant as last night’s dinner. Different menu from yesterday, with salmon roe, sausages, and clam chowder! Mmm, it’s very delicious. What should I do? The salmon roe bowl, in particular, was too delicious to forget. The morning sweets are mostly light items. I’m very happy to get a Haagen-Dazs ice cream that I couldn’t eat yesterday. It was great. Thank you very much! Check-out is by 11 a.m. Since there’s still time, let’s relax a bit more in the room. Wow, are these the hotel’s original coffee beans? Having a coffee grinder set in the hotel makes me happy. It’s good. The fog has also cleared up. It’s beautiful. Lake Toya is known for its high clarity. I hope you can see that. It’s about time to leave. It was a good hotel. There were many staff and guests who are not Japanese, so I recommend it to foreign visitors as well! The accommodation fee was 52,850 yen (365.94 USD / € 335.86) for two people with two meals included. Isn’t this a great deal?! It was really good. I want to stay here again! On our way back, the hotel called us a taxi and we met a nice driver. He offered to take us to the crater of Mount Usu, which erupted in 2000. Apparently, there’s a mysterious swamp there that shines in a brilliant emerald color. >> Mr. Machi: Yonder we go, into private lands! >> Mr. Machi: To enter these parts, you gotta cough up an entrance fee. >> Mr. Machi: A whole 1,000 yen (6.91 USD / € 6.35) per motorcar, no less!! >> Mr. Machi: You might wonder, why this vehicle gets a free pass? >> Mr. Machi: Because yours truly foots the bill, straight from me own pockets! Mr. Machi is a friend of the owner, so he can pass through just by raising his hand. If you want to save 1,000 yen to see the crater of the volcano, please ask for Mr. Machi from Donan Hire. >> Mr. Machi: Let’s climb up now, shall we? >> Mr. Machi: We’ll be giving it a good ol’ spin around here. >> Mr. Machi: No views to write home about yet, but we’re giving it another whirl. >> Mr. Machi: And here we are, folks, at Mount Usu Crater! >> Mr. Machi: This here’s the marsh from when the crater blew its top back in 2000. >> Mr. Machi: Believe it or not, there’s folks who trek from afar just to gawk at this emerald green marsh. >> Mr. Machi: Would you look at that building over there… >> Mr. Machi: A five-story building and kindergarten, all preserved under volcanic ash. >> Mr. Machi: The aftermath of the eruption was a sight to behold, colors more vibrant than now. >> Mr. Machi: Just picture the emerald green of Palmolive detergent, if you will. Hello from the sky! We’re flying from Tokyo Haneda Airport, heading to Tottori Airport, about 80 minutes away. Today, we’re staying at a hidden hot spring ryokan by the lake. If we had sat on the left side, we could have seen Mt. Fuji! This is my first time in Tottori, so I’m really excited. Tottori Airport’s nickname is “Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport.” It’s filled with Conan-themed decorations since the creator, Gosho Aoyama, is from Tottori. Look, it’s Kaito KID!! Now, we’ll take the Conan bus to Kurayoshi Station. The bus runs in sync with flights to Tottori, so there’s no wait and we can hop on right away. It takes about 50 minutes to reach Kurayoshi Station. We’ll drive along the coast, where the Sea of Japan looks rough as winter nears. Tottori is also surrounded by mountains, adding to its stunning natural scenery. We’ve arrived at Kurayoshi Station. We’re taking a free shuttle bus, which requires a reservation, to the ryokan. The ryokan is located along Lake Togo. It’s about a 10-minute drive from the station. Oh, there’s Lake Togo! We’re going around the lake to the west side. When we cross this distinctive red bridge, we’ll be there. This is the 125-year-old ryokan “Hawai Onsen Sennen-tei.” The best part about this ryokan is its location! It’s built by Lake Togo, appearing to float on the water. Check-in starts at 3:00 PM. Pass through the gate to find a small garden and a stone-paved path. Sunlight sparkles through the trees. The name “Hawai Onsen” comes from the former town of Hawai, which existed before the merger. In 1996, they became sister cities with Hawaii due to their shared name, which is a fun coincidence. Inside the ryokan feels Japanese, with a homely rather than luxurious atmosphere. The stools in front of the front desk look like icebox cookies. Let’s check in! >> Staff: Your room for today is on the first floor, room 5, with an outdoor bath. >> Staff: Please go past the gift shop to get there. >> Staff: Here’s a map of the ryokan for your reference. You can rent a yukata of your choice. This pattern is cute. I’ll go with this one. You can also choose your obi. I picked a color I don’t usually choose. Just past the front desk is a souvenir shop. It’s pretty spacious. Let’s take a look around. They have various sweets made with Tottori’s famous 20th Century pears. Side dishes include crab miso soup and pickled garlic. And here’s Conan again. You can find GeGeGe no Kitarō-themed goods since Shigeru Mizuki is from Tottori. There’s local Japanese whisky too. This time, we chose a corner room with a stunning open-air bath. We’re heading further inside. Here it is! Bizen 5, 2 people with 2 meals (Winter plan): From 81,700 yen (531.48 USD / € 506.36). The entrance. There are so many slippers. Oh wow! For some reason, a lion. The breathtaking view of the lake from the large window! It’s amazing. Two sides of the room are surrounded by a wooden deck, bringing the lake right up to the edge. You can step outside from here. Oh! There’s an open-air bath here. A guest room with such a big open-air bath is great. It’s big enough for the whole family. Hawai Onsen is sourced from Lake Togo. The hot spring has a plentiful supply of water, and this bath is a flowing natural spring. It feels like the bath is connected to the lake with this infinity design! Amazing. If you have tattoos, you can’t use public baths. Please book a room with a private bath or use a paid private bath. Lake Togo, which stretches 12 km around, has another hot spring source besides this one. It’s rare nationwide for a hot spring to emerge from the lake bed like this. The deck is connected in an L-shape, and it’s quite spacious. The room is visible from outside, but you can close the blinds. The view is so refreshing! Birds often come to play in the lake. I wonder what that is in the middle of the lake? Does anyone know? The toilet is right in front as soon as you exit the living area. It’s clean and has a bidet. There’s a closet right near the entrance. A jacket for your yukata. It’s a little chilly, so I think I’ll wear it. There’s a window-side seat with a view of the lake. I found some snacks. The grilled crab crackers look absolutely delicious. I knew it! So good—full of crab flavor. 20th-century pear jelly. Jiggly. Jiggly, jiggly, jiggly. Cups, coffee machine, refrigerator. It’s great to have a dispenser for instant cold and hot water. The washbasin area is spacious. It’s nice that you can see the lake through the mirror. Hairband. Shower cap. Hair clip. Razor. Cotton pads & swabs. Hairbrush. Toothbrush. It’s a Refa hair dryer. So nice. Cleansing milk, toner, moisturizer. There are hair products and lotions for men too. Towels are available near the open-air bath. It seems that fishing boats come around 7 AM for clam fishing. Shampoo, conditioner, body soap. Socks. I’ll put towels and other things in this bag and head to the public bath. All set, heading to the bath. First, the public bath with an outdoor bath. The baths switch between men and women the next day, so today I’m heading to “Sen’nen no Yu.” This is a changing room and a spacious vanity area with amenities. It’s clean. If you turn right when you enter the bath… The indoor bath features a round bathtub. Sunlight pours in, and it’s incredibly beautiful! Here’s the washing area. The water at Hawai Onsen is chloride mineral spring. It contains a lot of salt, but it’s colorless, odorless, and has a mild feel. It’s actually pretty cold, even though it’s an indoor bath. The reason is that it connects to the outdoors. Wow, we can see a stunning outdoor bath ahead! A rustic bath surrounded by natural stones and trees. It’s sunny, but there’s a large roof that provides good coverage. There’s also a washing area here. Such a nice atmosphere. It’s incredibly soothing. Chloride springs are effective for muscle pain, burns, and cold sensitivity. It prevents chilling, so it’s perfect for winter. The temperature is just right, and it feels great. The view of Lake Togo peeking through the trees is beautiful. It was a wonderful bath. There’s an observation bath on the second floor, so let’s check it out. There are also two different baths here with a gender-swapping schedule. Let’s head to “Senryō no Yu.” A spacious changing room and vanity area. It’s nice. It’s an observation bath with large windows overlooking Lake Togo. Of course, there’s a washing area as well. It was a great onsen, where you can relax and enjoy the view. It’s time for dinner. We’ll be eating in the banquet hall on the second floor. Tottori offers both mountain and sea delicacies, so we are really looking forward to the meal. Plus, it’s great to enjoy the meal in a private room. The first thing that catches my eye is the crab!!! And then the meat!!! >> Staff: This here is Yurihama Hirame(flounder), a flounder raised in seawater from underground. >> Staff: It’s grown in cold water, so no bugs, and it’s real sweet! >> Staff: This is abalone. >> Staff: It’s seasoned with salt and pepper. >> Staff: Once the heat is off, please eat it. I ordered “Takaisami,” a sake from Kotoura Town, Tottori Prefecture. Unusually, my husband cheers with sake too. Oh, they also have plum wine as an aperitif. It’s light, sweet, and so tasty. The crab sushi looks like a face with salmon roe as the eyes. So cute! Other appetizers include duck with orange sauce, sake lees wasabi pickles, and sesame tofu. The octopus pieces are pretty big. A winter-only kaiseki plan full of Tottori flavors. The chawanmushi also has seasonal snow crab. The seasoning is simple and easy to eat, highlighting the flavors of the ingredients. It’s really good. Let’s light the fire for the crab hot pot. Fresh sashimi from the rough waves of the Japan Sea. It has a good amount of fat, and the flesh is firm with a nice bite. Yurihama Hirame(flounder). It has a great texture and sweetness! There were shrimp too. So fresh and plump. The shrimp makes this sake even better. Oh, the abalone is looking good. The butter is melting, and it smells great. You can already tell how tender it is before eating! Ah, it’s just so delicious. It has no unpleasant odor and is full of flavor. The crab hot pot broth is starting to boil! Let’s add more crab. It looks so delicious. Let’s add lots of vegetables too. I’ll lower the heat and let it simmer a little longer. While waiting for the hot pot… a foil-baked white sweetfish. It’s piping hot and so warm. The rich miso flavor is so bold and distinctly Japanese. The crab hot pot is looking great. The meat is packed in and so rewarding to pull out. The color is beautiful. The sweetness and the juicy texture you feel as soon as it hits your mouth! Soooo delicious. Enjoying every bit of the shoulder meat. The crab broth has infused the vegetables and tofu, making them so tasty. Getting the steak ready. First, butter. This is “Tottori Wagyu Olein 55,” beef with over 55% oleic acid. Olein acid is an unsaturated fatty acid known for its smooth texture and good flavor. It’s shiny, and you can tell it’s tender even before eating. Ah… Awesome. The meat is super tender, and the fat has a light, refined sweetness. Everything is absolutely perfect. In Japan, people often say, ‘When eating crab, you go silent.’ The final touch for the hot pot is crab porridge. >> Staff: If you crack the egg on a flat spot, you won’t get any shells in it, you see. Sprinkle some green onions, and it’s ready. It’s definitely delicious with the crab-infused broth. Be careful, it’s super hot! It’s simple but incredibly good. >> Staff: The dessert is made with Shirobara milk jelly, mashed sweet potatoes and chestnuts. Shirobara milk is a Tottori specialty, loved for its rich and delicious flavor. The milk pudding is not too sweet and so good. Thank you for the meal. The outdoor bath in the guest room feels totally different at night. It’s cold outside! The hot spring water feels a bit cooler than earlier. At night, Lake Togo is pitch black, and you can’t see anything. It’s best to check in during daylight and enjoy the hot spring while it’s still bright. There are two semi-double beds. They’re firm, so I think we’ll sleep well. Good night. Good morning. The early morning view of Lake Togo is mystical. I wonder if they’re not doing clam fishing today because of the strong wind? We were able to see a beautiful sunrise from the room. Breakfast is a buffet with a view of Lake Togo, in a different venue from dinner. Unlike the grandeur of dinner, breakfast offers a variety of dishes. Oh, there’s carpaccio even for breakfast. Takoyaki! Nice. The rolled omelette is made right in front of you. It’s freshly made, soft, and looks delicious. There are also bacon and omelettes made fresh on a hot plate. Chikuzen-ni (Japanese Vegetable Stew). Mackerel simmered in miso. Raw eggs. Drinks are self-serve. There’s also Shirobara milk! Well, we’ll enjoy this. Everything looks delicious. There were not only rice and porridge, but also a variety of breads. I still prefer croissants. The perfectly runny fried egg. It’s nice to eat what you want at your own pace in a lively atmosphere. I especially love the rolled omelette and takoyaki. They’re so good! For dessert, there are white peach jelly, fruits, pudding, and dorayaki among other things. And here’s something interesting. It’s a white chocolate fountain! It’s rare to see one at a hotel morning buffet. So much fun. We’re full and happy. Thanks for the meal! Now, the public bath switches between men and women after midnight, so… let’s head to “Ganso Kousuke-yu” where I couldn’t go yesterday. The changing room is so clean. Wow, an unusual-shaped bath. It looks cool. The washing area is huge. From the bath, you can see Lake Togo and the surrounding greenery. It has a charming atmosphere and is really lovely. There’s an outdoor bath on the other side of the changing room. As soon as you open the door, a breathtaking view unfolds. A refreshing outdoor bath with a view of the lake! Ahhh, it feels so nice. You can see Lake Togo and the distant mountains so clearly. It feels like I’m blending in with nature. If you walk further, it looks like this. It’s so spacious that even a large group could easily fit. It was amazing. Coffee time in the room. Having a water dispenser is great because you can easily get hot water. Green tea. We are enjoying it at the counter with Lake Togo right in front of us. A big bird just came! We went out on the terrace and called it, and it came back. Adorable. Check-out is at 10:00. After the great food, hot springs, and views, I started liking Tottori—a hidden gem in Japan. Before check-out, we went shopping for souvenirs. We bought Starry cookies and GeGeGe no Kitaro-themed cookies. Thank you for the wonderful two days. It was a great stay that felt nostalgic and comforting. We’d love to come back to Tottori. Hi! We’re at Nagano Station in Nagano Prefecture. It’s about 90 minutes from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen. Nagano Station is the largest station in the prefecture and is essential for traveling within Nagano. The bus to the Snow Monkey Park we visited last winter also departs from this station. Today, we’re staying at a luxurious onsen hotel many Japanese people dream of. Taking a train from Nagano Station to Myoko Kogen Station, about 45 minutes away. The Shinano Railway offers a charming retro atmosphere and natural scenery from the windows. We’ve arrived at Myoko Kogen Station in Niigata Prefecture. From here, we take a reserved complimentary shuttle bus to the hotel. It’s about 10 minutes to the hotel. Myoko Kogen is a highland resort area spread out on the eastern slopes of Mt. Myoko. It is well-known for its many hot springs, vacation homes, and popular ski resorts. We’ve arrived! This is a pioneer highland resort hotel in Japan located 1,000 meters above sea level. It was established in 1937 by a prominent business group as a national policy to earn foreign currency. This prestigious hotel has hosted many distinguished guests, including the Japanese imperial family. A few steps up from the front desk leads to the lobby. It’s classic and beautiful. The view from 1,000 meters above sea level! From 2 PM to 5 PM, guests can enjoy complimentary drinks such as beer, wine, and tea. This is the second floor where the front desk are located. Going down to the first floor, there’s a souvenir shop. At the back, there is a bakery and a cafe. They offer a wide range of original goods, including skincare products and beef curry. Cakes from the cafe. Passing by the bakery, we reach the connecting corridor to the SPA and SUITE Tower. The SPA and SUITE Tower was newly built in 2009. It has a bar, terrace, and rooms with private hot springs. Wow, it’s beautiful. There’s also a public onsen bath, and you can smell the sulfur as soon as you enter the building. And here is the Aqua Terrace. It offers a picturesque view of the highlands and mountains! The overflowing water basin is filled with spring water from Mt. Myoko. With nothing obstructing the view, you can see the great outdoors and mountains. If you’re lucky, you might even see a sea of clouds from here. It’s really beautiful. It’s peaceful and healing. Even the sparrow is enjoying the view. We’ve come to the terrace of the cafe. Since there’s some time before the 3 PM check-in, let’s do a bit of exploring. The extensive grounds, including the hotel, are designated as a national park, full of nature. You can ski and golf within the grounds. You can also take a gondola lift (scheduled to reopen this fall) to the summit at 1,300 meters above sea level. We found a small waterfall and fountain. Is this also spring water from the mountains? The sound of the water is soothing. The scenery changes completely with each season. In summer, the vibrant green and relatively cool climate are attractive. There are hiking courses, but we’re not prepared, so we won’t go. The uphill path on the way back is tough! Now, let’s take a break at the cafe while admiring the mountains. Niigata’s brand strawberries, Echigohime tart. Chocolat Framboise. Now, let’s head to our room for today. Our room is in the Premium Tower, located further back in the SPA and SUITE Tower. This Hotel is so popular that there are repeat visitors who come every year for 50 years, and it’s always fully booked. Today, we are staying in a room with an open-air bath, one of the most popular ones! The room type is “Premium Tower Room P3 with Open-Air Hot Spring Bath and Terrace.” With meals included, the price for two starts from 141,300 yen (900.02 USD / € 841.45). The entrance. It’s spacious. The disposable slippers are fluffy and impressive. Oh, the door opens in an unexpected way. The restroom is clean. Now, let’s go to the main room. There’s a large sofa bed and a living space! And on this side, there’s a bed. A cute origami crane and a message card by the pillows. It’s heartwarming. In front of the bed, there’s a TV and a study. This hotel has been selected in various rankings, including Japan’s Top 100 Ryokans. Notepad and cables. Mixed nuts. Luxury tea brand TWG from Singapore. Chamomile tea. Royal Darjeeling tea. Coffee machine and capsules. In the storage under the study, There are many glasses and cups. Green tea and non-caffeine health tea “Enmei tea” packs. Drinks in the refrigerator are free. Water, juice and beer. Now, let’s check out the terrace with the open-air bath. What a spectacular view! Cheers while admiring the mountains and nature. It’s luxurious. The terrace has a water basin similar to the Aqua Terrace. Apparently, crows come to play. It’s like being framed in a picture. There’s a dandelion flower field in the far right corner. Cute. Oh, that’s Lake Nojiri. And the open-air bath with hot spring water flowing directly from the source. It has a cover. How beautiful. The public bath is nice too, but having a room with such a wonderful private open-air bath is especially attractive. The shower room and washbasin are here. It’s clean. With a large mirror and a chair, it looks convenient to use. The tap water is spring water from Mt. Myoko, so you can drink it directly. Body and hand soap. Foaming net. Shower cap. Headband. Cotton swabs. Washcloth. Razor. Shaving cream. Hair comb and hairbrush. Toothbrush and a larger-sized toothpaste. Cleanser, serum, and lotion. Cotton pads and hair ties. Hairdryer. It’s Panasonic. Fluffy bathrobe and bath towels. There’s a closet on the right side of the washbasin. It’s quite spacious, so it can easily fit a suitcase or a long coat. Yukata for women and kimono jackets. Some restaurants have a dress code, so yukata is not allowed. Below are larger sizes for men. A safe box. The washroom is directly connected to the terrace through the shower room. Shampoo and other toiletries. Now, let’s take a shower and then enjoy the hot spring! Akakura Onsen has a history of over 200 years. It’s colorless but has a strong sulfur smell, typical of hot springs. There are two separate baths: the front one is a sit-in open-air bath. And the back one is a deep bath with a depth of 120 cm! It comes up to your chest. The water is especially good for cuts and beautiful skin. It’s smooth to the touch. The temperature is just right, warming you to the core. It’s so beautiful and relaxing, you can’t help but sigh. It’s truly a wonderful hot spring. Let’s soak in it again and again. Now, it’s time for a break after the bath. A fluffy L-shaped sofa. It’s more than enough for two adults. There’s a TV in front of us. The entire hotel is equipped with Wi-Fi, so your smartphone works smoothly. There’s a fireplace under the TV. It adds a nice ambiance. It’s dinner time. We are dining at the French restaurant “Sorbier.” It’s classic and elegant. >> Staff: This is wine made at the Iwanohara Vineyard in our local area. >> Staff: This rosé wine is made from Muscat Bailey A grapes. The staff are also elegant and remarkable. >> Staff: This appetizer is a mousse of onions paired with a clam broth jelly. The sweetness of the onions and the umami of the clams. The crunchy vegetables add a nice texture. >> Staff: This round bread is a French bread called “champignon” that looks like a mushroom. >> Staff: The middle one is a beer yeast bread made with locally sourced beer and rice flour. >> Staff: The one on the end is raisin bread. This butter is also delicious. It has a rich aroma and a deep flavor. The next dish has arrived. >> Staff: We have prepared a combination of firefly squid and vegetables. >> Staff: Today’s vegetables are cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and potatoes. The green sauce is made from chrysanthemum leaves. The yellow granules are mustard sauce. The firefly squid is rich and good. It pairs well with the wine. The usual soup is a carrot cream soup. But my husband upgraded to the beef consommé soup for an additional 1,100 yen. >> Staff: This is our hotel’s traditional beef consommé soup, made by slowly simmering beef shank and vegetables. The aroma is amazing! The flavor of the vegetables and meat is strong, yet it’s quite clear and easy to drink. The carrot soup is thick and rich. It goes well with the bread. It’s a very elegant atmosphere. Everything is so delicious. You can choose the main dish from three options. I chose the fish, and my husband chose the beef fillet. The other option was roasted guinea fowl breast. Seared sea bream and seabass. The skin is crispy and the flesh is fluffy. The smooth sauce with green laver is refreshing. The classic steak with red wine sauce. The number and portion sizes are not too much, so you can eat at a relaxed pace. We chose French cuisine this time, but there are also Japanese and Western-style restaurants. Finally, dessert. But it’s possible to switch to a cheese platter, which my husband did. I got the strawberry mille-feuille! This stylish dessert is served in a deep glass. On top is Earl Grey ice cream. Echigohime strawberries have soft flesh. They go perfectly with the crispy puff pastry. Finally, we got cookies and tea. While Japanese cuisine is common at hot spring inns, elegant French cuisine is also wonderful. It was a graceful and delicious meal. Thank you very much. We’re back. It’s already hot during the day, but the nights are still cool and pleasant. The illuminated water basin looks magical. With no streetlights, the night sky is beautifully visible. Rooms with open-air baths are great because you can bathe anytime without worry. The outdoor air after a hot spring feels so refreshing. It’s time to get ready for bed. There are outlets by the pillows. Good night. Good morning. It’s a beautiful day. This time of year is usually the rainy season, but it’s delayed this year, and we have many sunny days. Coffee time. Capsules from Maruyama Coffee, a Japanese coffee brand. Also, chamomile tea from TWG. It has such a wonderful fragrance; it’s my favorite. It’s almost time for breakfast. Aqua Terrace. It’s beautiful in the morning too. Breakfast is a buffet at Vegetable Dining Shirakaba. The menu features a mix of Japanese and Western dishes, mainly using local ingredients. There’s also alcohol and fruit, making it quite luxurious. Let’s start by getting a variety of things. The matcha bread was toasted until crispy. Let’s eat. We came at a slightly later time, so it was nice and quiet inside. Everything is tasty, and the view outside the window is fantastic. It’s a panoramic view. Near the breakfast restaurant, there’s a gallery. This hotel’s founder, Kishichiro Okura. There are also photos and items on display from visits by members of the imperial family. If you book through the hotel’s official website, check-out is until 12 PM☀️. It was a truly wonderful stay, beautiful and traditional. I hope to return and stay again in the future. Thank you for watching until the end. Please subscribe to our channel! And if you like it, please thumbs up. See you next time.

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⌛️Timestamps
0:00:00 ① ryugon
Location: Minamiuonuma, Niigata Prefecture
Website: https://ryugon.co.jp/en/

0:30:24 ② SEKITAITEI ISHIDA
Location: Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture
Website: https://www.sekitaitei.com/en/

1:18:59 ③ The Lake Suite KO no SUMIKA
Location: Sobetsu, Usu District, Hokkaido
Website: https://www.konosumika.com/en/

1:43:27 ④ Hawai Onsen Sennentei
Location: Yurihama, Tohaku District, Tottori Prefecture
Website: https://www.sennentei.net/lg_en/

2:17:52 ⑤ Akakura Kanko Hotel
Location: Myoko, Niigata Prefecture
Website: https://www.akr-hotel.com/e_introduction.html

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