10/10 Excellent
Lynn
Traveled with partner
Jun 2, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hanagokoro Yamadaya is magical. Our two days there were extremely special. Highly recommend. I imagine that some lower ratings for this property are from westerners who were perhaps not prepared nor appreciative of the traditional nature of this ryokan. The room was beautiful and spacious. I don’t think photos online do it justice. The level of service is impeccable, though it may feel stiff if you are expecting bubbly hospitality. The private onsen was unlike any experience my partner and I have ever had. Utter magic. Traditional Yukata kimonos are provided for your stay, and it is traditional to wear them throughout the hotel, including at meals. We loved this. It was so comfortable to relax at dinner in these robes after enjoying the onsen. Breakfast and dinner were stunning. I am an avid eater of Japanese food, and there were a number of ingredients and dishes that were a first for me which was so delightful and something you hope for during a stay like this. I found the portions completely appropriate and for a female, certainly filling. The only minor critique I have of the experience is that it would have been lovely to have had more information provided up front about some of the traditions e.g, protocols for using the onsen and wearing the robes, but anytime we asked a question, the staff were kind and gracious in answering. If you are looking for an authentic onsen ryokan, it doesn’t get any better than this.
Lynn
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024