Originally Posted by
YVR89
I have been following
KI-NRT for years on Trip Advisor and recently discover this thread. What a gem - absolutely love it. I have visited Japan several times and had the pleasure of staying at (ranked in order of my personal experience / interest):
1. Sanso Murata (Room Gyo was divine and the lounge / sound system is incredible)
2. Nishimuraya Honkan
3.
Tae no yu in Nyuto Onsen
4. Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen Marumine
5.
Hatago Kayausagi
6. Hozentei
I liked Sanso Murata so much that i emailed them to ask where else in Japan they would recommend and they shared the following:
*CHIKURIN-TEI
*WATAYA SUIMEI-SOU
*NISHIMURAYA SHOUGETSU-TEI
KI-NRT / ALL: My wife and I will be going to Japan again in
early December and I am desperately looking to find similar experiences to Sanso Murata and Tae No Yu, anywhere in Japan. For this trip I have been focusing a long on researching Gunma, Nagano, Toyama, Gifu, and Ishikawa... is there anywhere you would compare to the two mentioned Ryokons in this region? Im looking to spend a total of 3 to 4 nights between two Ryokons and will rent a car to drive around. Thank you in advance.
Sanso Murata has just about everything - amazing service, great cuisine and wonderful onsen. What it doesn't have is a great view or spectacular landscaping. No one ryokan has it all.
One thing to keep in mind about Japan's mountainous interior, as well as the Hokuriku region - while it typically doesn't snow until mid to late December, there are times when it can really get snowed in, making car travel a challenge and hassle.
With that out of the way, some suggestions:
Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma - Kimuraya. One group of guests per night. Designed by famed architect Kengo Kuma. Among the best onsen quality anywhere, and a charming town.
Gifu - Shogetsu. The ryokan is a building, but has amazing views and some of the best kaiseki we've ever had. Gero Onsen's hot springs are amazing.
Nagano: Shoraiso, Fujiiso, Utsukushigahara Onsen Kanaukan. The latter is 10 minutes by car from Matsumoto Castle, which - in my opinion - is right up there with Himeji Castle as the most beautiful of them all. Shoraiso is near the Jigokudani Monkey park, which is a plus if you're into that sort of thing.
Toyama - doesn't have much, but maybe River Retreat Garaku can fit the bill if you really want to visit the prefecture.
Ishikawa - if you're into crab, this is a great place. I'm not in love with any of the ryokans there, but Takitei is highly regarded. Onsen with a great river view. Haven't stayed here, though, so YMMV.
Nishimuraya Shogetsutei is a modern take on the more traditional (and upscale) Nishimuraya Honkan. If you're going to visit Kinosaki Onsen, I prefer the latter by far.