Hamanako Auberge Quatre Saisons

This may not be the first thing to mention, but the bathrobe was so fluffy! The bedding was light, soft, and warm. The sheets were comfortably pressed—not too stiff or scratchy. The hair dryer was a Salonia, and I could really feel the attention to detail. There was also cleansing oil in the bath amenities. Above all, the food was outstanding; as an auberge-style Accommodation, we even enjoyed dessert, and they kindly brought the wine we couldn’t finish back to our Room. As for the meal itself: the first tomato mousse was unmistakably tomato and immediately won me over. The appetizers offered such a variety that my eyes kept wandering across the plate. For the main meat dish I chose pork—no tough parts at all, and it was cooked perfectly. The fish was black sea bream; its fluffy texture was incredible. Even the palate-cleansing sorbet had a light mint flavor that wasn’t overpowering—perfectly balanced. Each vegetable seemed cooked in a way that suited its character, with consistent texture throughout; you could tell how carefully everything was prepared. For wine, I shared my preferred budget and tastes and ordered one bottle of red plus one pairing set for one person—but I’m sure white would be just as enjoyable here too. The restaurant has large windows as well; sitting by them felt wonderfully open and airy. The interior colors were beautiful—not just classic—and gave an overseas feel. Breakfast pot-au-feu had gentle seasoning while bringing out each vegetable’s flavor; it may look like an ordinary meal at first glance, but it felt like a high-quality breakfast focused on substance rather than volume. Also—perhaps because they can’t provide proper care when fully booked—it didn’t feel crowded at all (even if it may have been full), so we enjoyed a quiet, truly relaxing stay. Watching Lake Hamana from our Room as dusk softly fell… then heading to dinner once it became too dark to read—that way of spending time felt like the best reward and a moment of real happiness for me. If I had to mention one thing: there is a step at the Room entrance. I forgot about it and nearly tripped a few times… A small downlight like a night light near that step would make it safer. Overall though, there were no real negatives—this was a wonderful Accommodation with genuine hospitality. Since I’m sure the menu changes with each season, I’d love to visit again.”

This was my first time staying here, and true to its name as an auberge, both dinner and breakfast were absolutely delicious. The dish using large shiitake mushrooms as a dinner appetizer was particularly exquisite. The pot-au-feu at breakfast was also delightful. One concern was that the lighting in the Room was dim, making it inconvenient to operate the TV, air conditioner, or smartphone. I would love to stay here again when visiting the area in the future.