Yugawara Fuga

This was my first time visiting Yugawara Onsen. All the staff were very courteous and cheerful, and I had a comfortable stay. The food was simply delicious!! The presentation was enjoyable, and everything tasted great—I was very satisfied. The Onsen water was on the mild side, which suited me since I’m not good with very hot baths, so I could soak a little longer. It’s an Accommodation I’d love to visit again. I also liked that there was a café area with jazz playing.

I was a little nervous because the reviews were mixed, but it turned out to be a wonderful Accommodation. I was slightly anxious about arranging the Shuttle Service online, but everything went smoothly. The driver, the front desk team, and the restaurant staff were all polite and warmly attentive.After check-in, we started by choosing yukata, then tried making soy sauce, and enjoyed welcome sweets such as mini cakes and almond cookies while having tea. We arrived later than planned so it felt a bit rushed, but it was fun.The building still retains touches of its former identity as the long-established Ryokan “Mimasuya,” giving it a charming atmosphere throughout. On the way to our Room we walked down a corridor decorated with Hiroshige’s bird-and-flower motifs—these birds are adorable. The story behind displaying the white heron was also interesting (apparently it eats the koi in the Ryokan pond, which caused some conflict).The Room amenities were well stocked, and I appreciated having three bath towels in total when including those for the semi-open-air bath in the Room. The semi-open-air bath has wooden panels covering what would otherwise be windows for privacy, but both the bath area and interior were surprisingly bright—comfortable with no sense of being closed in.The meals were delicious; you could really feel their desire to please guests through each dish. For us the portions were just right, but they may feel small for men or big eaters. The shirako and mushroom risotto was tasty, though some people might find it not quite enough. Breakfast was similar—I felt there could be a bit more rice or other carbohydrates.The free-flowing Onsen in the large public bath was excellent. The water felt soft and soothing at just the right temperature; even though our Room had a semi-open-air bath, I ended up going back many times (and yes—I did use our private bath too).Overall, this Accommodation seems thoughtfully designed so that women (and men) can relax comfortably. I’d love to return if I have another chance.