Takefue - this is where I realised that 1 night is not enough at one place. Check in is at 3:30 and it went a bit slow, so it was already 4:30 when we could start exploring the property, then onsen at 5 and dinner at 6:30 until 8:30.
I tried to reserve the private onsen Chikurin No Yu at the beginning of check in but it was already fully booked. In comparison, the check in process at Gekkoujyu was so quick that at 3:00 I was already in the reserved mountain top onsen and had plenty of time afterwards to maximise the stay.
Takefue is not for me, I did not like the layout of Shienan, the shower is in a separate building and you have to go out in the cold and back. Toilet is far from the bedroom. The onsen was either so hot that my skin turned red like a lobster or I over cooled it. Somehow the whole stay was not as comfortable and convenient. Maybe a lower level room like Takekiri would have suited me better.
There are things that are above most ryokans though, for example yuzu in onsen, the dessert box, ice cream, drink tray for onsen. The service was nice, they gave us several farewell gifts, some even specific for the child (similar as Gekkoujyu, now we have 2 Kumamo bears ).


Rock pool onsen at the room with drinks. Air temperature was between 2-10.


Same onsen at night with yuzu.


Autumn appetisers.


Beef sashimi and sea urchin, plus beef to grill.


The dessert buffet for two after dinner.


The legendary french toast breakfast.