Just an update on my original post a few months back. Returning back from Japan now (back to work…how sad)

Stayed at two recommendations that KI-NRT gave. Main thing for me was yukimiburo and good food.

Stayed at Satoyama Jujo (the view from the communal rotemburo was amazing) and had a great night of mountain vegetable cuisine which was amazing
Then stayed at Miyakowasure which had a massive in room rotemburo. Great yukimiburo tool overlooking the river. Food was equally as a good.

Only thing with Miyakowasure is that it wasn’t exactly the ‘shortest’ of trips for me. Though I did get thwarted by a cancellation on the Akita Shinkansen which meant I needed to rearrange their pick up transfer etc. Lost a few hours (planned to arrive at 3, but didn’t end up there till 530). Never the less both were amazing experiences!