Kasen-An Seni Onsen Iwa no Yu

It was a wonderful Accommodation from check-in to check-out. We were amazed by the cave-style bath and relaxed in the private bath, enjoying a great time. This is an Accommodation where you can stay just as you are, with space and time to truly unwind. The meals may be a matter of personal taste, but we recommend trying them as served on the menu at first. If we visit again, we might consider making special requests.

Iwa-no-Yu is well known as an Accommodation that’s hard to secure a Reservation, but a cancellation opened up and my schedule was free, so I stayed for the first time. From the entrance, it had a wonderful sense of atmosphere and felt like a truly charming Ryokan. The various private family baths (no Reservation required) were all different and excellent, but my absolute favorite was the cave bath. The water temperature was just right, and even after soaking for a long time I never felt overheated—it was a bath where you can fully enjoy the benefits of the Onsen. It was so relaxing I almost fell asleep, making it perfect for an extended soak. As for amenities, every bath was stocked with face towels and bath towels, along with natural toner and more. Being able to go empty-handed and bathe right away is a convenience you don’t often find at other Onsen Accommodations. The next morning brought an unexpected cold snap and light snowfall, and the lightly snow-dusted views around the Ryokan—and from the baths—were beautifully atmospheric. I felt lucky to see it. Both dinner and breakfast were delicious. Local dishes such as carp and river fish had no unpleasant odor at all and were genuinely excellent; the char rice served with the meal was so good that I asked for seconds. The price per night certainly isn’t cheap for an Onsen stay, but I definitely want to return soon. One note: perhaps because I soaked for so long in such comfort, I seem to have become mildly dehydrated without realizing it—I woke up twice during the night extremely thirsty to drink water, and on the drive home I kept drinking tea nonstop. Please be mindful of this.