Iya Bijin

We had a wonderful stay for 4 nights at Iya Bijin hotel. We wanted to experience Ryokan and Onsen type of hotel in Iya Valley and this hotel offered best to experience Onsen and taking shower with great view of Iya Valley with all the privacy. We had both breakfast and dinner included with hotel price. They accommodate our special dietary request. They also made vegetarian Fried Rice, stir fry vegetables and separate request for one vegetarian and one seafood person. A presentation at every meal in Japanese style dining was wonderful experience. One of the friend had a knee issue so it was hard to sleep on the floor, so they provided folding bed for him.They also provided extra chairs. A staff was wonderful and friendly. We used google translation to communicate and had no problem. I would definitely recommend that you should experience the Japanese style of stay at this hotel.

ate at this restaurant which specialises in hand made soba. i ordered the hot soba with tofu. the soba and soup are delicious. the grilled ayu fish and grilled riceball + konyaku + tofu with sweet miso which are local specialties are worth trying.

Amazing place; beautiful views and fantastic hospitality. Food is delicious. We had the best time thank you!!!

Fantastic place to stay in the heart of the Iya Valley. The staff and food are amazing. The traditional rooms have a hot bath on private balconies. Staff were so attentive and waved us off from the car park as we left. Highly recommended.

A pleasant stay, individual onsen in each guest room but the only concern is it is cold in Winter. Great local food, on a separate note, the duvet is the best! Light but super warm.

Ate at the soba restaurant. Had the wild boar soba. It was alright, satisfied my hunger and was in a nice location.

We did not stay here but rather had a fantastic Soba noodle dinner with a fantastic view on their terrace. I could imagine staying in the ryokan as well, considering the location, and the cleanliness. But you would have to check other reviews for comments.

Simply wonderful! Peaceful small ryokan with the most wonderful views. The rooms too have a stunning view over the valley and river below. The cedar wood outdoor bath was amazing, especially after a long day exploring the valley. Taking the inclusive meal package is an absolute must, the dinner and breakfast was something to behold. Fit for royalty! The staff are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G !! They even took a photo at dinner and handed it framed to us as a gift on the day of our departure, what a touching gesture. A place to reconnect with your soul and nature. If you have the opportunity - GO! I’d recommend a car to visit all the sites the valley has to offer, but we managed well enough without one. The famous cone bridge is a short hike away. Great to work up an appetite for dinner!

Well run Shikoku Island onsen in a gorgeous forested location perched above the Iya river. The trip to Shikoku from Okayama JR train across the Inland Sea via the Seto Bridge is a wonderful trip with island & azure sea views aplenty. The JR stop to get off is Oboke, a small station that has both taxi & bus service. Our spacious & very clean corner Room on 2nd floor provided a lovely view of the mountains & the Iya River. This onsen does not have a public bath but rather each room holds a large tub & shower area separate from tatami floored bedroom. Bath water is piped in from lightly sulphuric hot-spring beneath the ground. The water is clear & refreshed by the room occupants as they see fit. Our package included traditional Japanese style Kaiseki breakfast & dinner. Seasonal Menu. Come with an appetite & prepare to be wowed. A highlight of the menu are buckwheat soba noodles offered as cold plate or in hot soup. There is also an attached casual restaurant separate from the Inn that is open to the public serving a variety of ramen & soba dishes. I rated this inn 5 stars but would have happily given it a 10 if I could. I have been to many onsen throughout Japan over the years & this is one of the best.

Can you imagine relaxing in your own private little hot spring bath while looking out into the river flowing through the narrow valley full of trees in all their autumn majesty with gold, red, orange, and yellow hues? Well, if you stay here in late autumn, this is the kind of relaxing experience Iyabijin gives. The view from your private little onsen is the highlight of this ryokan experience. The way the clouds drift through the valley like different levels of fog adds to the atmosphere. The bath itself is small, but the view makes up for it. Hot spring water flows into the bath, but you can adjust the temperature by adding a little cool water if it is too hot for you. The view and the privacy is why I give it four stars. The room itself is a small, basic tatami room. I found the whole space to be very relaxing. Dinner is filling and a lot of food, too much really to be honest. I felt very wasteful because I physically couldn't eat anymore. Everything is good, but nothing stands out. I liked the private dining area and the little hearth that your fish was roasted at in the middle of the table. It adds to the old style atmosphere. The roasted river fish on the skewer was my favorite part of the meal. The ryokan met my request I put in my reservation of no beef or pork with my meal which was great. I was able to enjoy all the courses. I thought service here was lacking compared to other ryokans I have stayed in though not bad. It was at the minimum to be acceptable by Japanese standards. Here are a few examples. I got the impression that we were inconveniencing them by having bags by the hostess's reaction when I pulled them out of the car. Also, no sweets, tea, or welcome drink are served to you in the lobby or room when you arrive. I think this was the first place in this price range I had stayed at that did not offer this. It was also hard to get someone's attention during dinner if we needed anything. While in your room, you feel like you are worlds away from civilization when in fact, this resort is located right on the main road, even though that's not so big in these parts. It is easily accessible by car and there is plenty of free parking in the parking lot out front. There aren't too many places in the area with private onsen, so I would consider staying here again if I return to the Iya Valley.