The cultural city of Minakami is full of attractions, such as Hoshi Onsen Chōjukan and Minakami Onsen, and is loved for its hot springs and riverfront.
"Great location and ski in ski out. Small but comfortable room for family of 4, Onsen is a blessing! It’s a little tired, super busy hotel. Outrageously priced buffet dinner, go elsewhere. Free shuttle makes that easy, but make sure you book all offsite options. "
"I had a hard time finding this property. I went to a wrong place and met a local that helped communicate with a staff. Few minutes after, one of them came walking to find me. I really enjoyed this place. It’s not too far from the shrine and downtown area. Amenities are excellent and lovely staff"
"I loved the private onsen and the ryokan stay. The buffet was also excellent. The hotel provides yukata robes to wear while you’re walking around the hotel. We also had a great view of the suspension bridge from my room."
"Property was beautifully equipped in the kitchen and for entertainment. The private "onsen" of the bathroom was phenomenal. It had a sauna, a cold plunge and mineral spring bath all together. Was not really convenient to town but only a kilometer out. Check was terrible as they do it all remotely and the system was down. I tried several times to check-in on their tablet. I then video called via their tablet and he couldn't do it after 15 minutes. They then emailed me 3 more times about it, a bit annoying. Check out is early and exact we were walking to the door at 10am as she was knocking on the door."
"Positives: 1: staff exceptional, friendly and helpful. 2: very, very clean and comfortable; 3. Stunning location. I think all the rooms have lake view (which is across the road). Once the leaves are out it might be more obscured, but stil have a beautiful wilderness-type feel; 4 right on the yumoto onsen Tobu bus line. Easy to get to and from everywhere on that line. Busses run every 1/2 hour or so but the last bus drops off around 7pm, so it’s not a late night; 5. Indoor and outdoor onsen: I was usually in it by myself but it was also early spring off season.
The less positives: 1. no bar; 2 no outdoor sitting area (except a couple of benches); 3. While the onsen is nice to have, it’s not nice looking. Would be better to spruce it up with some greenery to hide the ugly fence surrounding; 4. No one informed us of the cafe where lunch can be served. It has a lovely porch and different menu.
The dining room gets its own category:
1. The breakfast is mediocre. My least favorite part of the stay. It’s served. Minimal choice. Eggs were strange We actually ordered a boxed breakfast one morning and it was better.
2. Dinner: the food was tasty but very,very expensive for what you get. Small portions.
3. Fine dining. If that’s what you want, that is what you get and pay for.
4. There’s not a lot of choice in town, so no choice but to eat here.
I would stay in Nikko and visit lake Chuzenji and do the marshland hike. Not to be missed. "