Koto No Kashin

Our room was on an upper floor, so we had to take the stairs. If you have a lot of heavy luggage, staying on an upper floor might be inconvenient. However, I was only there for one night, so I found it acceptable. There are three hot springs available, and the hotel charges for their use on the day. The room was very spacious, with a Japanese futon bed. However, there was no hot water in the laundry sink, and the room only had a toilet, no shower. You have to shower in the hot spring bathhouse outside the room. Also, there's no microwave in the room.

The private hot spring bath, cleanliness, the charming small-town feel, and the refreshing views of Mount Yufu all contributed to a very satisfying stay.

The hotel staff were incredibly attentive, and many of them could communicate with guests in English. The dinner was of a very high standard and plentiful. This time, I chose a room with a private onsen, and the facilities were also very beautiful.

I didn't have high expectations, but the room was spacious and the bedding was clean. The price varies depending on the room size, layout, and type. The room we used didn't have a shower, so we had to use the hot spring facilities to wash up. Since I was planning to use the hot spring in the evening and morning anyway, it wasn't a big deal for me. However, my husband, who isn't a big fan of hot springs, had to make a special trip to the hot spring just to shower. The room was quite spacious, allowing us to open two large suitcases. There was also a table where we could enjoy snacks and beer. As it's an older establishment, there were some peeled wallpaper and a bit of mold. However, overall, it was a well-maintained and clean place. There are three hot springs outside (but close by). One small one is indoors, and the two larger ones are open-air baths. If there are many guests, you might have to play a 'waiting game' to avoid crowds (though this is probably true for other places too). Dinner and breakfast are also available. We didn't opt for them. It's about a 5-10 minute walk to the main street, 15 minutes from Yufuin Station, and 15 minutes from Lake Kinrinko. There's a Lawson, 7-Eleven, and a supermarket within a 5-10 minute walk.

I visited by car. Finding the entrance was a little confusing for a first-timer, but the location is great with a shopping street and a convenience store nearby. The service was also excellent, and I loved having a hot spring bath right in the room. Plus, the dinner and breakfast were superb!

The hotel is located on a street in the city center, surrounded by many famous eateries, though they can get very crowded with wait times exceeding an hour. Tourist attractions are also very close, within a 30-minute walk. The hotel itself offers a dinner and breakfast plan. However, you must check in before 6 PM on the day of your arrival, or dinner won't be served! Both dinner and breakfast are enjoyed in your room. The hotel has 14 rooms and three private onsen baths available on a first-come, first-served basis, so I made sure to enjoy the onsen in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

The rooms were spacious and clean, and having access to a communal hot spring was a huge plus. It was excellent!