"Lovely view, good onsen"

"The hotel is located about a half-hour drive from Josho Kogen Station. A free shuttle bus is available; the hotel will email you one day in advance to confirm your reservation. The hotel is situated in a small village, lacking modern amenities like restaurants and cafes nearby; exploration is primarily confined to the hotel grounds. The hotel is divided into two main areas: the main building, which includes the lobby, restaurant, courtyard, and a public hot spring bath; and the off-site area, which features guest rooms, a private hot spring bath, and a small cable car. Both areas are accessible by the hotel's driverless tram, but it's very slow. A normal walk takes about four minutes, involving many stairs, which is not ideal for guests with mobility issues. The hotel's overall style is a retro farmhouse feel, somewhat like staying in a small temple. The rooms and the exterior are decorated with great detail, featuring many antique-looking items, and the hotel also has a large collection of antiques. It's quite unique and different from other Japanese-style and modern Western-style hotels I've stayed in. The main onsen (hot spring) appears to be mixed-gender, while the annex is separate for men and women. The onsen has a sulfurous smell, but it's not strong, and there are indoor and outdoor areas. As for the food, I'd say it's slightly above average, but the portions are huge—you can easily get full! 😂 The hotel is built on a hillside, and our room was at the highest point of the annex, overlooking a large rice paddy in front of the hotel. The view was very expansive, and the scenery was stunning on sunny days. The rooms were generally large and offered good privacy. There was a bathtub in the room, but it wasn't filled with hot spring water. In summary, the hotel has a unique style, and the room views are nice, but the location isn't particularly convenient. Overall, the value for money was slightly low for me. I only booked this one because I couldn't find any other onsen hotels available. Overall, it was a slightly above-average experience."

"Perfect! Staffs were amazing"

"The hotel is ideal for travelers without a car. They offer a pickup service from the Oze-Tokura bus stop and help arrange the bus to Hatomachitoge. Breakfast starts at 5:30 a.m., which is perfect for hikers heading to Oze National Park."

"I think it's a good place to reset. It's nice that you can drink as much as you want from check-in to check-out. I came by car, so it was a shame that I couldn't drink in the morning. It can't be helped because of the location, but the roads are narrow when you come by car, and the Joetsu Line runs right there, so if you are worried about the sound of freight trains at night, it might be better not to go to the river side. I love trains, so I was very satisfied."

"The proprietress is kind and the dinner is rich and delicious. Take breakfast early and take the rice balls in the morning The accommodation is clean and quiet. The water quality of the soup house is great."

"It was a short walk away from the Minakami Onsen bus stop and the room was clean. Loved the private onset overlooking the river as well. We didn't have breakfast there as the price was a little steep for us (~27 SGD) but there's a nearby bakery and other F&B, so food was not an issue. They provide PJs and a cardigan to put over as well. Staff was nice too."

"Stayed overnight at Hoshi Onsen and it was honestly magical. The highlight was soaking in the outdoor bath while snow gently fell around us, super peaceful and almost unreal. The traditional ryokan atmosphere, from the wooden interiors to the quiet surroundings, made it feel like stepping back in time. The onsen itself is beautiful and serene, especially in winter. Service was warm and attentive, and everything felt very authentic and well-preserved. It’s the kind of place where you just slow down and fully relax. Definitely coming back, this is one of those experiences you don’t forget!!"

"I visited this inn for work. The sister inn Senjyuan was really good, so I decided to stay here this time! I wanted to relax by myself, so I booked one with an open-air bath. I made a reservation on the day, but they were flexible in their response. The hospitality was reminiscent of Senjyuan, from the moment I arrived until the time I was shown around. The food was also very satisfying, and made generous use of local ingredients. I really enjoyed this traditional hot spring inn."