We stayed in the private annex “Setchikuan.” This detached traditional house has been beautifully preserved, and the warmth of the wood and the peaceful atmosphere made it a truly relaxing place to stay. A handwritten welcome note was waiting in our room, and it immediately made us feel the genuine hospitality of the inn. Dinner was served in our room and featured a variety of local ingredients. The highlight was the Bungo beef steamed with the hot spring and served with a red wine sauce. It was incredibly tender and easily the most memorable dish of our trip. We also tried yam chawanmushi for the first time, and it was absolutely delicious. Breakfast was also served in our room, allowing us to enjoy a slow and relaxing morning. The locally grown rice and homemade side dishes were wonderful, and the freshly cooked rice was especially delicious. The annex has its own private hot spring bath, which we were told is the largest bath at the inn. The water quality was excellent, and we found ourselves returning to it several times during our stay. The hostess struck the perfect balance between attentiveness and privacy, making us feel comfortable and well cared for without ever being intrusive. As this is a traditional farmhouse-style building, it is not barrier-free. However, it does have features such as a sunken kotatsu-style table and tatami beds, which may make it relatively comfortable for older guests. After hearing that many guests return in different seasons, we completely understood why. We would love to come back and experience this special place again at another time of year.