Miyamaso Takamiya

The acidic Onsen I’d heard about was amazing!The large public bath was not crowded, so I could soak and relax at my own pace.At night, the wind and snowstorm were intense, and dust from the attic blew in through drafts from gaps in the room. This triggered my house dust allergy symptoms. I understand it was a difficult time of year to clean due to the seasonal change, but this was disappointing.The meals were very delicious, but dinner in particular was quite large—I couldn’t finish one dish that came after the main meat course. Offering an option to choose might be a good idea.

We stayed in a separate building called "Hinagura." It is a standalone house utilizing a traditional storehouse, which seemed to have been a spacious café annexed to the ryokan in the past. Although it was just the two of us, with beds and toilets on both the first and second floors, it offered more than enough space for two couples to stay comfortably. The semi-open-air bath attached to the storehouse is said to be the only private bath among all Zao Onsen facilities. It was an incredibly luxurious experience. The meals were perfectly portioned for those in their 50s, and both the taste and presentation were exceptional.