Kakurean Hidaji Adults Only

Visited in early 2024 and it was easily one of the best ryokans I've ever been to in Japan. It's great for couples, and the service was amazing. Yamakoshi and all the staff were very welcoming. All rooms included its own private open-air onsen, and we got to watch the snow fall while relaxing in it. It was our first time having an irori dinner too. Ever since then we've been searching for other places in Japan to experience it again but have only found one other ryokan. No children are allowed, which made it even better. Would definitely go back to Japan just to visit again!

Overall great experience. Not the best Ryokan I have done, and a bit out of the way, but definitely in my top 10 hotels. Particularly the shared onsens you can privatise for free were amazing, and the free coffee/drinks bars was great. It was difficult to give an extra star, as I found the room a bit too small for the price, and I had greater expectations for the dinner (you get to cook your own food on a hot plate, but personally I prefer the experience where the food is served to you perfectly cooked and seasoned like I had in other ryokans). I still gave it a 5th star because overall I loved it.

This place is truly magical! Every detail in the room was thoughtfully designed to meet your needs, creating a peaceful and comfortable space. The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive—always ready to help at a moment’s notice. While English isn’t widely spoken and signage is mostly in the local language, Google Translate was a big help throughout our stay. The food was an unforgettable experience—uniquely crafted and beautifully presented to take you on a creative culinary journey. Just a heads-up: the town doesn’t have any food convenience stores, so be sure to bring your own snacks if needed. The hotel does offer a small selection of snacks and drinks, though. The semi-private onsen is a must-try—peaceful, relaxing, and you can stay in as long as you’d like. Our in-room shower and onsen were also absolutely magical. I highly recommend this hotel! Stay at least two nights to really take in everything the area and the property have to offer—we wished we had stayed longer. We’ll definitely be back soon!