Here for autumn leaves at Tanigawadake and Suwakyo and early November's the perfect time! Could see this humongous hotel complex from diagonally across Minakami Station over the river to the left but actually took us quite a while to walk around to get to it as the little suspension bridge seeming to lead to it was in complete disrepair.
Our western style twin room with bathroom was decent but slightly disappointing compared to how nice the rest of the hotel looks. Good amenities though. There are 2 gender separate indoor and outdoor half-covered hot springs, both beautiful and clean - one with flame torches at night called "Hiakari" (open from 12-11 pm & 5-9 am) and the other named "Tsukiakari" (from 12 pm to 10 am) looks out into a gorgeous garden lit up at night in addition to having a misty sauna plus a dry one where you can lie down. Yet another hot spring bath called "Hotaruakari" alternates between men and women every few hours - a huge pond and garden with firefly-like lights twinkling under the stars - it was pure magic! If you only have time for one hot spring soak at night, make it this garden bath!
all-you-can-eat steak |
hotel from the outside |
We had the buffet option at 7:30 pm and it was glorious! All-you-can eat steak (even though the plan said roast beef), nigiri sushi, tempura, and other high quality items. Drink bar is an additional 1500 yen. Breakfast was decent too. No wifi anywhere.
