Minakami hotellia

Plussat: Staff were excellent. As was the food and performances. The hydrogen rich spa itself was also fantastic for making my skin silky smooth.

Miinukset: I think the size of the the baths and quality of the actual sleeping part of the room was not worth the price paid.

Plussat: Fantastic and friendly place, with great food.

Plussat: A real Japanese experience with the best host you can imagine. Food on highest quality level. Everything is very clean and authentic.

Miinukset: Nothing at all

Plussat: Everything about the place - the wonderful and generous hosts, the onsen facilities with the amazing view of Mt. Tanigawa, and the exquisite meals (the kaiseki dinner was one of the best meals we've had in Japan). To top it all, the father of the family, a Shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) master builder and player, performed before the guest after dinner. Moreover, the Ryokan surroundings in the lovely Tanigawa onsen village is perfectly located if you plan on hiking in the Minakami area.

Plussat: Traditional Japanese place, nice view, clean and worming welcomes

Miinukset: No

Plussat: Everything about this place was perfect: Very welcoming hosts, amazing traditional dinner and breakfast, a very relaxing Onsen and on top of that a wonderful Shakuhachi (traditional bamboo flute) performance during dinner. Overall definitely our favorite Ryokan experience so far.

Plussat: The family and staff who run this Ryokan take pride in excellence and it shows in every detail, from the rooms to the spa to the food. The sincerity in the care they take of guests is something more places would do well to emulate. We felt valued and exceptionally taken care of. And the food!! Phenomenal!! Set in a small, mountain town, this Ryokan is a perfect place to let all the stress of travel melt away. We stayed for 2 nights and I highly recommend that. 1 night would have felt too short. It is also run by a family of Shakuhachi players and makers(2 of only 20 in Japan). The nightly concert and introduction to the instrument adds a wonderful dimension to the whole experience. As a musician myself, I was delighted to spend time learning more about the instrument; they were quite generous in their time teaching me to play and about the instrument making process. An unexpected, fortuitous synchronicity. Thank you!!

Plussat: Having stayed in a high-end ryokan the previous night, we wanted to be a little more budget conscious. This place had caught my eye as it had a picture of Golden Retrievers on their marketing photos, and looked to be very family friendly. These turn out to be the owners' dogs, and they were a HUGE hit with my children, as were the Christmas decorations, which were already in place. This is a western style purpose-built Pension, with large family rooms and ensuite toilets. Possibly about 8 rooms in total. We had 4 single beds in our room, and still lots of extra space for a small sofa and a tv. The beds were very comfortable, with heavy duvets to keep out the cold. There was a heater in the room, but we turned it off at night and had a slight breeze coming in. Everyone slept very well. There was a shared indoor onsen, and an outdoor onsen (rotenburo), a few metres walk into the garden. This was available for private use only, and on a first come, first served basis. Max 30/45 mins per family. It was lovely, with landscaping and a view of the autumn foliage. Heaven. The day we arrived heralded the first snowfall, so it was much colder than we had expected, and totally thrilling for us all to see the autumn leaves AND snow at the same time. The owners, a young couple with their first baby, had this establishment running like clockwork. The wife and her mother are the chefs, and we had the most incredible dinner, with soup, bread, rice, roast chicken, grilled fish with cream sauce, salad, dessert, and a lovely bottle of white wine (additional charge). Most residents were families with small children, and the children all got together to play games after the meal. It was an incredibly friendly and inviting place. Breakfast the next morning was also huge and delicious, so all in all, an unexpectedly wonderful find. We noted that the ski slopes were very close by, and plan to make a return visit there later in the winter.

Miinukset: nothing

Plussat: Everything

Miinukset: No

Plussat: Amazing food, very friendly staff, beautiful onsen and clean rooms - perfect ryokan experience

Plussat: This is the perfect Japanese onsen experience. It is authentic and steeped in ritual. The rooms, the food, the baths, the town - it's incredible and something I will remember for a long time. The staff and facilities were impeccable. A lovely break after the mayhem of Tokyo.

Plussat: Facilities, onsen, and serenity of the location

Miinukset: Nothing

Plussat: Very special place. Highly recommended! Beautiful location, amazing food, super room and wonderful onsen.The staff is amazing, helpful and makes us super comfortable during the dinner and the breakfast. Excellent English spoken. Everything was explained us from the check in to every single dish we had. Everything was perfect. We used their free pick up from and to the station and they are very kind. We want to thank you for the great experience, this is really one of the best Ryokan you can find. We absolutely want to come back again!

Plussat: This was a wonderful start to our 12 day easter vacation in Japan, with an onsen mountain experience of peace and relaxation. Arriving in the morning ,with 7 hour jetlag, we made our way by taking trains from Narita airport to Tokyo and further north to Gunma area. The hotel came to pick us at the local train station in a small shuttlebus. Then we were shown into their large lounge and served te and enjoyed the mountain view. It was a wonderful introduction to traditional Japanese life style. We had 3 rooms all with japanese furniture. 1 room had a private onsen hot bath in the room, the other 2 rooms had private toilets and then shared the use of the large onsen bath, which had a choice of 2 hot baths inside and 2 outsides. ( seperat bathes for women and men ) All our our rooms had large windows with a wonderful view af the river, forest and the snow-covered Tanigawa-dake / Mount Tanigawa. The food and service was an special experience. By staying 2 nights, we enjoyed 2 different Japanese dinners, with numerous courses, served in our own dining room, with many esquiste details, everything arranged and served with respect for tradition, beauty and taste. We enjoyed one Japanese breakfast and one western breakfast. We were the only european guests, but the hotel was busy with Japanese guests. All the personel went out of there way to communicate and make us happy. They were very helpful and kind towards our 1 year old. Some of us took a visit to the top of mountain Tanigawa, and the rest visited a neighbor town to participate in the Nurmata Sakura festival with blooming cherry trees.

Plussat: The service provided at dinner time was superb! The food was excellent, with authentic Japanese cuisine. The hotel location in the mountains was simply awesome, set in the midst of flaming maple trees and gushing river. It's nature all round, such a refreshing and revigorating atmoshere! Will surely come back in spring!

Miinukset: There is no free shuttle pick up from Jomo kogen station. Would be good to have that for guests coming by shinkansen.

Plussat: Absolutely stunning onsens in a beautiful mountain setting. The food (both breakfasts and dinners) was phenomenal, and our server, Takahashi, was so lovely. All of the staff went out of their way to make our stay so comfortable. In fact, the staff were the best I have ever encountered in all my travels. The rooms were very comfortable, all with beautiful views! We didnt want to leave!!

Miinukset: Absolutely nothing!!

Plussat: The service is excellent. They even gave us gift/souvenir for our wedding annivesary. Very thoughful. The private onsen on the room also excellent.

Miinukset: None

Plussat: Great service. Beautiful location. Mountain views are stunning. Private onsen was amazing. Wish I could stay more.

Miinukset: Nothing.

Plussat: Location was fabulous, spacious traditional rooms, friendly staff, lovely onsen with stunning view, Very clean

Miinukset: The food wan't great for western tourists.

Plussat: In-room bath

Miinukset: -

Plussat: Good hospitality

Plussat: Service is super excellent. The value is more than your payment

Plussat: Absolutely amazing! We were treated like roytalty! The staff extremely friendly and helpful and always left little surprises in our room (snacks/tea). We loved this place. Amazing views and facilities. The food was out of this world.

Miinukset: We could not fault the venue.

Plussat: Everything is perfect. Price can be high but it's worth it, totally! The personnel is attentive, smiling and do everything to help you. The room is wonderful and so peaceful. The personal outdoor bath is fantastic, view on nature. One of the rare Ryokan who accepts to do vegetarian and vegan menu! You will definitely have a great time there, it's just like a dream for one night.

Miinukset: Be careful during the rainy season, forest around is full of leeches. ;)

Plussat: Everything is perfect.

Miinukset: None

Plussat: My impression about this place start right after I walked in the lobby and the story after that is like living in a paradise. We have a very good time there. 2 nights feel like not enough for me, I would like to stay there longer than that. The food is great and also the night time snack in your room. Free alcohol drink at the lobby in night time. Open-air bathtub with great veiw.

Miinukset: Absolutely nothing

Plussat: Food Hot spring

Miinukset: Amenities a bit old compared to others the luxury hot spring

Plussat: This is very Japanese destination, we stayed in a Japanese style room and ate wonderful multi course Japanese food at night in our own private area with a dedicated server - Euin from Vietnam was so welcoming

Miinukset: A little more detail in English would help - there is a special etiquette when using the onsen and luckily I had read up about it - otherwise we would have spoilt it for others. Also the spa was booked out every day we were there - which was weird- we were brought to another hotel and enjoyed a facial and shiatsu there instead and this was organised by the lovely staff. Perhaps it would have been better to let us know in advance that the spa can be busy so we could have booked ahead.

Plussat: Beautiful location and views and very stylish

Miinukset: Nothing

Plussat: The onsen, my dinner arrangements they made. It was nice to get back to warm room and an onsen after hike up Mt Tanigawa.

Miinukset: Nil

Plussat: We loved it all! From the start we had a very warm welcome with tea and a small dessert and from there we got to pick out our own yukata and got a quick tour of the place. We reserved a private outdoor onsen on the roof and it was great bathing under the stars! Dinner and breakfast were prepared like art and tasted that way as well. Having said all that it doesn't come close to the hospitality the owner Abe showed us when we missed the morning train and would of had to wait another 4 hrs for the next one. He personally drove us to the next city to catch another one just in time! The kindness he showed was amazing...This place is truley worth every penny and we will remember it always!!!

Miinukset: Nothing

Plussat: Cute onsen on the roof. Friendly staff.

Plussat: The staff were very friendly and helpful. The owner, Tsuyoshi san went out of his way to make sure our stay was comfortable. He even took the trouble to drive us to the train station, when it was snowing. Overall, we had a wonderful stay, please note that, it is important to book your dinner before you arrive, because there are very few restaurants nearby. The rooftop onsen in the snow was a highlight.

Plussat: The spa, the breakfast

Miinukset: Room a bit small for 3 adults

Plussat: Competent and friendly staff. Simple, but well working room (incl. AC and small refrigator) Nice onsen on the roof. Fresh breakfast (with some western options). Perfect location if doing Canyons (rafting etc).

Plussat: The baths were wonderful. Food was delicious. The staff were very good and kind. The stay was a great experience. I really enjoyed every aspect of the place. The aesthetics were wonderful and beautiful.

Miinukset: The WiFi was not working.

Plussat: The ryokan is nestled in the verdant Gunma countryside. Surrounded by beautiful nature, the Rokan's remote location does not negatively impact the overall experience. Rooms in beautiful japanese design, some more some less traditional, make not only for a pleasant experience, but also for great pictures (Instagram). The food is great and provides a great value for its price. If you are on the fence on booking this ryokan, click that book button, you will not regret it.

Miinukset: The pick up times from the station should be more in tune with the train schedule

Plussat: Everything especially the onsen.

Miinukset: Nothing.

Plussat: My first time in a ryokan and everything was perfect. Small (only 11 rooms) and beautifully decorated throughout. Staff are extremely helpful and friendly (a few speak English). Food was delicious and unusual (the chef is a hunter and serves meat from his hunts). Onsens small but clean and very comfortable. A fabulous experience.

Plussat: Wonderful stay. Staff were all very friendly. Food was superb. Highly recommend.

Plussat: The staff went above and beyond for us. The meals where made with an incredible amount of care. Tasting local game meat and produce was very special.

Miinukset: There is nothing I would change. It was a perfect stay.

Plussat: Food and onsen.

Plussat: Great host, very friendly and efficient staff. Excellent food. Lovely outdoor bath

Plussat: The food (breakfast and dinner) were amazing and even too much. Onsens are great - clean and well designed. The staff is very kind and attentive. Relaxing stay in Tatsumikan.

Miinukset: Everything was good.

Plussat: Dinner was great. Staff is very nice and room is good too. Happy to visit this hotel.

Miinukset: Only 1 night stay, so there is nothing I don't like.

Plussat: Clean, well-maintained, awesome hospitality, tasty dinner and breakfast, great onsen! Very thoughtful in-room supplies. Simple great overall

Miinukset: None

Plussat: The property is nice, clean and relaxing. The dinners and breakfasts were very good as well. The onsens are nice, with a selection of different ones alternating between female/male at different times of the day. The staff speak mostly Japanese with a couple of them knowing some English which makes it better in my opinion, knowing a lot of Japanese people stay here too!

Plussat: Beautiful location with Mountain View. Exceptional staff and service, and delicious dinner and breakfast, even accommodating a vegetarian.

Plussat: Staffs are so friendly and helpful. I lost my wallet here and staffs tried to help me so much. Even I can not find my wallet, that ‘s OK, because I am appreciated for their help. The hotel is calm and quiet. Good for relax time.

Plussat: Excellent mineral springs. English communication easy. Superior hospitality, gorgeous mountains, and wonderful food. All staff extraordinarily attentive and caring.

Plussat: service and delicious food

Miinukset: no

Plussat: Food is good and heating system around the hotel is strong enough during winter season. Overall service is good. Provide information of bus schedule to the nearby cable car station and free luggage deposit at shop at JR station.

Plussat: Difficult to get to

Miinukset: No shuttle service from station to hotel

Plussat: Everything staff, food and atmosphere was nice love it all.

Miinukset: No

Plussat: Shuttle bus to & from Jomokogen make it is easy access. Buffet dinner & breakfast were good quality. Onsen pools are with the great view.

Miinukset: Rooms need renovation.

Plussat: Total experience. While a chilly in the halls, added to the charm and realism.

Miinukset: Prefer to see more artwork in the rooms and halls.

Plussat: There is a variety of food provided for dinner and breakfast. There is also english translation for each menu including allergy warning. The room is quite small but we can see the magnificent river right from the room’s window. The public bath policy is foreigner-friendly that they provide shower cloth for men and women to wear in the public onsen. This makes this traditional japanese style hotel (ryokan) an superb international hotel I have ever been. I will reccomend this hotel to others for sure

Miinukset: Nothing in special

Plussat: The onsen is real good

Miinukset: Food, taste really bad

Plussat: The hotel have a bus to take the guests from JR station to their hotel. The hotel and surrounding is very beautiful and the view from my room is breathtaing. Outdoor onsen is amazing and comfortable. The dinner and breakfast are also delicious. All staffs can speak english fluently. I will be back next time.

Plussat: Amazing location and the outdoor bath areas are absolutely stunning. Buffet Style Breakfast that was good - the dinner was very nice, especially on the second day when we had the ryokan style course dinner. Highly recommend to stay there for a day or two of full relaxation and amazing nature and onset.

Miinukset: Not so much around that you can do unless you have a car. The inside public bath/Onsen is a bit old and does not live up to the same standard as the outdoor ones - but outdoor is where you will be spending the time anyhow.

Plussat: The location and baths themselves are still great! And the staff are always friendly and helpful.

Miinukset: It's become a lot more touristy unfortunately... Not many Japanese people visiting the baths, seemed to be mostly foreigners when we went. Also robes are required for both genders in the baths now, compulsory, and walking around in them when wet is very cold and uncomfortable. Food is just okay

Plussat: Great place for winter sports lovers with amazing ski-to-door setting. Superb dinner and lovely Japanese breakfast were both included into the room rate. Fantastic open air onsen experience. Still a bit overpriced overall, given there was no single discount for ski rentals/lifts or anything else (except shuttle bus to the station).

Plussat: Very family friendly and nice hotel transfer to train station.

Miinukset: Rooms a little tight and no large beds only singles pushed together.

Plussat: I liked the scenery around the hotel.

Miinukset: I didn’t like that I paid in advance for a room with a view, supposedly one of the last fancy corner rooms with a view of mountains, and I was given a room overlooking the parking lot. It felt like the nice rooms are reserved for locals only, even though I paid for a more expensive room. When I checked in they didn’t account for all my family, as I made the reservation for 3, and they wanted to charge me another 25,100. Yen! I didn’t like being charged for the Onsen when we never used it. We were told we were not allowed to go in with a bathing suit. The website does not specify that the outdoor onsen is separated and only nude. To Americans it looks like an outdoor hot tub for all. I didn’t like that every time we went to dinner we were always seated in a crowded corner by the drinks station, like we weren’t allowed in any other seats. The buffet was ok, but the same every other day and the breakfast options were weak. Dining facility was dirty and old and the guy that ran the alcohol was rude. It was very crowded and felt like I had to fight people just to get food. The room was small, carpet was horribly dirty, and the beds were so hard and very low to the ground. I never saw a gym and the staff was not very helpful. It’s a great place if you wanna bathe naked with a bunch of old strangers but not very friendly to foreigners. Added a photo of my view. Doesn’t let me rotate the pic.

Plussat: Location was good. Dinner buffet was good. Onsen was good.

Miinukset: Breakfast buffet. Expensive room rent. Needs renovation.

Plussat: Ski facilities are great. Food is good. Shop is good. We are very enjoyed the hotel.

Miinukset: Nil

Plussat: Everything.the view.hot spring over view is amazing .

Miinukset: None

Plussat: view from room - nice mixed breakfast and dinner buffet beautiful onsens (own in hotel and free transfer to takagarawa onsen)

Miinukset: gym is missing - bathrooms are outdated - rooms are too small

Plussat: The place is very nice and peaceful with a comfortable atmosphere. The owner is very kind and welcoming, ready to help, and the breakfast is very good. At the ground floor there is a jacuzzi. Really a nice place for couples, I am very satisfied.

Miinukset: Worst attitude ever. Very rude, we asked him some questions but received no word/ no greeting and no smile. And guess what? We spoke decent and very polite Japanese! Did not expect English words from the staffs but their attitude is just unforgivable. Reading thru the comments a lot of people had been through the same experience but it seems like the owner does care

Plussat: The onsens were great! Staff are nice.

Plussat: The onsen baths!!!

Miinukset: The pictures online are deceiving and there was no place to eat dinner in the hotel.

Plussat: Was a interesting stay, the onsens were great and we found this most amazing craft beer brewery called Octone which you need to try out. The owners were unreal.

Miinukset: The hotel was very tired and definitely needs a makeover. In fact the whole town needs a makeover. A number of derelict hotels and buildings spoil this quaint town. Our room was a traditional Japanese style so were on the floor, the pillows had bricks in them, luckily there were soft cushions available as a substitute.

Plussat: The view of Mount Tanikawa, the streams (both day and night) were stunning. was there during weekdays and practically the whole Minakami-kan hotel or Minakami town belongs to our family. Roads were almost deserted probably due to off peak season or weekdays.

Miinukset: Facilities are a little run down with stains on the door panel and corroded steel railings. All restaurants in the vicinity were closed outside the dinner hour(17.30 - 19.30hrs) No fully outdoor onsen, semi outdoor with stream view.

Plussat: Another of the reception staff was very helpful and river is beautiful. Private onsen was nice.

Miinukset: Public Onsens were not available to people with tattoos and first room a/c was broken and we had to move all of our stuff from one room to the next without any help again. Doesn't seem to be geared to cater for foreign tourists. The outside terrace was serverely dilapidated hence could not go outside. one of the reception was not particularly helpful and at times seemed rude. There was no restaurant service when we went for as hoc meals and lunch so had to go to family mart.