UNZEN HANZUIRYO

With its expansive grounds, tranquil atmosphere, seemingly oversized guest rooms, and dedicated attendants, this is a top-tier Japanese-style Ryokan. While it did feel a bit dated in places—such as not having enough power outlets by the bed—we were very satisfied with our stay. It was disappointing that the private family bath (Nishi-no-Yu) was closed due to reduced hot spring water volume depending on the season.

For our second night in Unzen, we stayed at Hanzuiryo, a place we had always wanted to visit. The lush greenery within the property was stunning. Although it’s a detached building, it has an intriguing design connected by an underground floor. Our room was a spacious two-story layout. The air conditioning on the first floor was unclear and felt cold, but since we dined at the restaurant, it wasn’t an issue. The air conditioning on the second floor worked perfectly, and the bed was very comfortable! At the restaurant, it seemed like most guests opted for in-room dining as there were no other diners—felt like having a private space! The classical Western-style ambiance of the restaurant contrasted beautifully with our traditional Japanese-style room. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious. The coffee machine in our Room and complimentary drinks in the fridge were great touches too! We also enjoyed gazing at the beautiful Japanese garden from our first-floor Room—it was so relaxing. The staff provided excellent service throughout our stay.The bathwater was wonderful; however, I found the outdoor bath slightly lukewarm which was a bit disappointing.I purchased an adorable Arita porcelain cat-patterned coffee cup from their shop and now enjoy my daily coffee with it!If I visit Unzen again, I would love to stay here once more!