Iwaiyado Jyuan Nikko Kawaji Onsen

I chose this Ryokan because of its location on one direct train line from Tokyo. This is deep country and I wasn’t expecting such a stylish and modern facility. The staff picked me up at the train station and drove me the one or two minutes to the hotel. I had requested a larger room and I was astounded. I felt like a shogun! The wet area alone was bigger than some hotel rooms in Tokyo. I was lucky enough to have a big tub right on my deck with a view of the mountains. But the public bath is also very good. The dinners are in the dining room. It wasn’t crowded. The food was delicious. The service impeccable. I stayed for two nights and every dish on every meal was different each day day. The small town has a charming walkway right along the river down to a small park where there used to be some outdoor baths. There are only a couple shops in town, but they carry all the necessities. I really liked being deep in the country in a very small village without having to take a bus or transfer trains

Located in Kawaji Onsen which is a quiet Onsen town. Note that there seems to be no convenience store in town - the nearest is around 10 min drive away. Town is peaceful. The hotel itself is quaint - the road leading to the entrance is secluded and may be easily missed. The hotel lobby and dining room are quaint and nice. The room is huge. Futons are placed on an elevated platform and may be better for older travelers. The service is TOP NOTCH and the food is fantastic. We’ve had many Kaiseki dinners in Japan but this is the first time we’ve tried some foods during Kaiseki, eg garlic and fig tempura. The hotel owner explained all the dishes in Japanese and English to us. Service was personalized. The Onsen baths are good.