Ryokan Oonuma

It started with the open-air bath in a separate building, and the Onsen was wonderful.I left the Accommodation in a hurry because it looked like my return train might stop running due to the weather.Next time, I’d like to stay for two nights and relax—enjoying the Onsen and spending plenty of time reading.

This was my second stay, a one-night visit with an overseas friend, right at the peak of Naruko’s autumn foliage. The Onsen water is free-flowing; although slightly hot, it is pleasantly therapeutic, and the steamed bath like a stone sauna was perfect for cooling down after bathing. There are several reservable private family baths; on the 4th floor, the shaded and sunny baths let us enjoy the autumn leaves as borrowed scenery. Throughout the building, calligraphy written from verses by the proprietress is displayed here and there, giving it the feel of a small exhibition. The matcha served at check-in and check-out was especially appreciated by our guest from the USA. Every meal featured delicious local ingredients with gentle seasoning, and the rice was so good I ate too much. Unfortunately, due to bear precautions we could not use the open-air bath; however, the quiet detached open-air bath we viewed, as well as the annex and tea room, were splendid—I imagine they take great effort to maintain. The Nikkei newspaper was available early in the morning. Aside from a slight noise at night from drawing hot water, it was an excellent therapeutic Accommodation.