Minobu Villas

The structure is very intimate as it is hidden in the mountains and far from various services. It can be reached at the “Shimobe Onsen” stop on the Minobu Line. The staff is welcoming, affable, smiling. Some speak English. The rooms are in vintage Japanese style and I personally found them comfortable and clean. Mine had a bathroom with a self-heating tablet, skin care soaps and various hygiene products (toothbrushes, brushes, hand cream, cotton buds, etc.). Then there was the main room with a well-kept window corner, a Japanese-style table and chairs, and finally some wardrobes. One of the closets held futons. At the reception you can ask the staff to fix it for you while you are at dinner. I'm pretty sure I've also seen someone around choosing a mattress-cot instead in case you can't or can't sleep on the futon. There are very tight opening hours for breakfast and dinner (breakfast 7-9 am and dinner until 6-8 pm). You can access both with a ticket that you can get for free at reception. For lunch, however, you have to pay separately. It is mainly a buffet type of menu regarding breakfast and dinner. Obviously if you order something special (certain dishes or alcoholic drinks etc) these must be paid for. Small note on the buffet: It is very different from what we are used to in the West so don't be scared if in the morning you find a croissant with a skewer of roasted fish inside. This is not hyperbole. I'm serious. The food is good and the basic portions are small but no one is stopping you from having an encore if you want more. As regards the heart of the structure, i.e. the onsen, this is divided into two types: Private and Public. The public onsen consists of two areas that reverse approximately every 6 hours. One for the male gender and the other for the female gender. A very kind oba-San taught me some basics which I will summarize for the more curious: When you enter, undress and put everything in the basket. Bring with you only the small towel (I will call it ”rag” from here on out). When reaching the pool area, do not jump in before having washed in the showers. There are products there (soap, shampoo, conditioner) and basins with chairs. Rinse both, moisten the cloth and then fill it with soap. Wash as normal but be sure to use the cloth to remove dirt and dead skin by scratching the skin. When you're done, rinse yourself and the cloth. Finally, pass the cloth under cold water and wring out. Put it on your head and off you go, go to whichever tub you prefer. Personally I recommend you vary between the hot and cold ones for circulation but if you only like the heat you can still vary with the sauna. The cold patch is used to help with dizziness if you have low blood pressure or to cool down when needed. As for the private onsen, it must be booked in advance and every 40 minutes

Yuyado Umezono is located in Minobu and takes about 5 minutes walk from Shimobe Onsen Station, near Shimobe Onsen and Mt. Minobe. Yukata are available for guests to wear during their stay. Guests may borrow irons at no additional charge (please inquire at the front desk for details). Facility includes a communal bath. The hotel possesses 11 guest rooms.

Located in Minobu, Temple Hotel Habanobo is in the historical district, within a 15-minute walk of Mt. Minobu Kuonji Temple and Grave of Nichirenshoto Gosoan. This ryokan is 16.7 mi (26.9 km) from Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and 19.3 mi (31.1 km) from Lake Motosuko.Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access.Japanese breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee.Featured amenities include luggage storage and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 4 individually decorated guestrooms. Bathrooms feature separate bathtubs and showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and complimentary newspapers.

I stayed here with my 16 year old son. We were looking for something very authentic Japanese. Kakurinbo was perfect. We stayed two days after arriving in Japan and it was a great peaceful quiet way to recover from jet lag. The beds were very comfortable and the rooms very clean and spacious. We had the garden view and enjoyed green tea each morning while watching the giant koi fish in the pond. The food was Delicious and artful in presentation. Even my 16 year old son who lives in frozen pizza and ice cream was happy with the food. The wine bath was a special treat and relaxing to soak each evening with a window to view the garden. Even the map they gave us on arrival was awesome not was very detailed and had so Lucy information that was useful as well as interesting. I was sad that the first day I lost mine but the gave me another. We went each morning to the temple service and I recommend to go. During the service a monk shows the incense bowls and invites people up to burn incense. The “map” explains how to do it and watch someone go up then don’t be shy and do it. Also don’t forget to do the water purifying outside. Again, the “map” explains. We also took the ropeway to the top and we’re blessed with a view of Mt.Fuji. Thank you for a memorable time my son and I will always cherish.

The Taisho period hot spring hotel brought a perfect end to a tiring day. Because it was already late when we arrived at Minobu Town, it was already past the dinner reservation time. The hotel owner not only helped us patiently try to contact nearby restaurants that might still be open, but in the end They even made an exception and provided us with free dinner delivered to the room (it also specifically stated that it was ”サービス”). One of the older waiters asked us if we were here because of ”Swinging Camping” (laughs) The boss is really a gentle and enthusiastic person. He smiles every time he sees us. The waiter at the hotel was also very attentive. He was waiting outside the door at 7 o'clock in the morning and took us to the breakfast dining area. Although the hotel's hot spring is small, it has all the facilities. It also provides matching yukata, haori and socks. The Japanese room also far exceeded expectations, just like those in Japanese comics and games. If I have a chance to come to Miyanoyama next time, I will definitely book with them again!

The chartered and open-air baths are a delight! A small, health-oriented hotel offering hot springs and kaiseki cuisine prepared by hand

First of all, it is inexpensive. To be honest, I didn't have high expectations considering the price, but the meals, both dinner and breakfast, were satisfying. There are two types of hot springs: lukewarm (not heated) and hot (heated and filtered), and you alternate between them to enjoy the benefits. It was unseasonably hot that day, so I was able to fully enjoy both the lukewarm and the hot water that came after. There was only one foreign couple there that day, and they probably didn't know how to take a bath, so it was unfortunate that towels were left in a mess in the changing room, but it was within the range of what could be tolerated. The inn itself is not exactly clean, but if you want to enjoy the Showa era atmosphere and baths, such as the entrance to the room being open, it is the best inn. The owners and their husbands are likeable people with good personalities. I will definitely come back.

ＪＲ Minen line ”Lower Onsen Station” is less than ２０ minutes walk. The building is quite old, but the room was properly maintained. Cleaning is also a passing point. However, the karan in the public bath and the refrigerator in the room are broken, and the yukata is open, and there are many parts that need maintenance on the hard side. The hot spring has a large bath on the ground floor and a rock bath on the １ floor, both of which have about ３０ degrees of wet water and hot water at suitable temperature. The wet water is more comfortable than I thought, and you can enjoy the long water by alternating with the hot water. １ Convenient for night ３ hours. The meal was served in the large hall with evening breakfast. From the accommodation fee, it is not luxurious, but the mass is sufficient level. The cost-effectiveness was high and quite relaxed because the service of the employee 々 and the quality of the spring were better than anything else. It is recommended for those who are not hard.