Ryokan Hanaya

Stayed 2018 nov, been to 1x historial traditional japanese ryokans, and love this ryokan instantly. Warm reception when checkin. Not to mention the nice foilage in nearly temples in autumn season.

Shall be the highest grade ryokan in Bessho Onsen area. It the property itself is a cultural heritage. Rooms with private hot spring bath available. Peaceful Japanese garden. Great location, few minutes walk from train station and Kitamuki Kannon temple. Great service and food. Shuttle running at the area and the staff may give you a lift if your arrival or departure time doesn't match the shuttle operation hours. Great place for a serenity, healing break.

I was so excited to stay here from years before, perhaps my anticipation made me judge it harder. First, the good: it's a historic building lovingly maintained and makes you feel as if you've traveled a hundred years back in time. Slight imperfections like a crack in the wash basin just add to the ambiance. Ours was a pretty standard room in the main building that was ample for two with futons on the tatami at night. There was also a little sitting area to read and drink tea in while looking out on trees that were filled with birds. TV, refrigerator, toilet also in-room, but no shower or bath. I believe the more expensive rooms have baths and in-room dining. The hallways squeak a little, but didn't bother us. The dining room, lobby, and garden are similarly atmospheric. The hot spring baths were all quite hot for me. The best temperature was the outdoor one, but the marble baths were the most interesting. You can just dip your legs if too hot. There are various hours when men and women can use the three baths. Now for the not-so-good. The doorman/valet provided absolutely the best service. The other staff were by turns unenthusiastic, robotic, or timid. The dinner was fine -- very good even, except for one terrible course -- but the courses came out very slowly and were all typical fare including sushi -- in an area that is as far from an ocean as one can possibly get in Japan. I would like to have been asked in advance about dining preferences and for the menu to include more regional fare. But really, they are just catering to their clientele, which seemed to be almost entirely retirees with only a few young couples or families. I don't think this place is right for children, but the other guests really ruined the atmosphere by drinking too much, being loud in the dining room and baths, and being obnoxious to the staff. If you're really into history and architecture and can put up with typical Japanese-oriented service, I'd say why not go once. Otherwise, there are better ryokan experiences to be had.

Lovely traditional Ryokan in Bessho onsen.

In late autumn, the florist provided a wonderful healing environment with its history and tradition. In particular, the appearance seen from the room bath was soaked in the feeling of forgetting myself with the contrast of silence and color. It is a word of gratitude.