ゲゲストMay 15-16, 2024
From the moment we saw photos of this special place on the internet, we knew we had to stay here!
The natural rock onsen baths caught our imagination - and our stay was wonderful beyond expectations!
The resort is located in a forested valley is stunning, next to a rushing river. Natural mountain hot spring water is channeled into 7 lovely outdoor onsen baths, as well as ensuite baths.
The facility is beautifully designed with gardens and multi-level suites, with each of the levels looking out to the river, with plenty of seating to enjoy the relaxing and lovely views.
We were treated with limitless thoughtful hospitality from the moment we arrived, to the moment we left - in fact, one of our group kept commenting ”the y[the staff] must think we're really special!”.
The suite was beautifully appointed with tatami mats, traditional Japanese decor, comfortable beds, yukata and slippers are provided along with tabi socks and plenty of clean linens. Our suite had its own private onsen bath encircled by natural stones, and constantly running hot spring water. Such a contrast to water-parched California and even Hawaii where we're from! The outdoor onsens are open all night, for viewing of the starry night sky.
The kaiseki dinner was exceptional, with many many delicious small plates, each exquisitely prepared and presented - a petite, freshly caught local fish was skewered as if swimming and roasted in a salt shell. Utterly delicious! In the morning, after a similarly wonderful breakfast, we experienced a mochi-pounding session with the hotel staff and guests joining in - lots of fun - photos were provided!
Transportation - It was a challenge figuring out how to get to this place - finally, we had a Japanese-speaking hotel clerk call the resort, and got instructions for the 1-hour bus ride from Takayama bus station to Shinhotaka Onsen / Nakao Kou-gen-guchi. There are buses running every hour! We walked to the resort from the bus stop when we arrived, and a shuttle van to the bus stop was thoughtfully provided by the resort when we left.
PS) I was unable to upload photos. Please provide an email, because you won't want to miss seeing this beautiful place!
ゲゲストSimply an amazing stay. First trip to Japan and first ever stay at a Ryokan & was not disappointed. The mother & daughter (5th & 6th generation)hosts were super accommodating and felt very privileged that they had opened their Inn for solo travelers like myself to enjoy. The feeling of history at the Inn, felt almost like staying within a piece of living art. Ikebana display in the front display and Bonsai in the courtyard that are over 500 hundred years old, it made the whole experience an immersive one. The dinner and breakfasts were an experience that were perfectly executed. Of course local / home grown ingredients were the stars of these meals and every dish was tastier than the last. Thank you for making my stay feel comfortable and relaxed. Ena is one of the historical postal towns on the Nakasendo trail & recommend visiting and staying here if you are taking the less touristy route. とても思い出に残る滞在にしてくださった旅館のとても親切なスタッフに感謝します。
ゲゲストHonestly, I didn’t read before booking as there wasn’t much info. No room pics etc. Had 2 adults 2 young children. When we arrived, we were shocked as it was old and there wasn’t a private bathroom. However, the owner was really welcoming. She brought us to our room and it was this very traditional tatami room (which we never stayed in before). There was also this lovely private onsen, very suitable for us as we are very conservative. We only had an issue with the shared bath but that’s just us. It was really clean and everyone was friendly.
Had a really good sleep, plenty of stars in the sky at night, 10mins to Shinhotaka ropeway (be there EARLY pls)
Breakfast starts at 730. Be there at 730. Very traditional breakfast (to us at least), had to google how to eat but was a real good experience!