Tony met with Masa's high school friends and had a soak in the hot spring, then ate sukiyaki (meat slowly cooked, tableside, in a broth), Tochigi beef with maitake (type of mushroom), and home-brewed sake
We used it for day trip on April 1, 2025. Paid ¥700. This is a very old inn that felt very warm and taken care of. I’d like to stay over night next time I visit.
Ken
Google
1200+ yr old onsen that existed since the Edo era. There are selections of onsen to choose from. Will be back next time but it is better for 2 nights atleast as there are some nice walks around and finish your day with onsen bath.
利休梅
Google
I gave it 4 stars for *atmosphere*. The entrance is almost like walking into the Meiji era.
If you're looking for a tidy place that has showers and soap, this place is definitely NOT for you.
The riverside rotenburo has no shower at all. You have to wash carefully scooping water with a bowl.
The indoor women's bath on the second floor is bigger and has a trough for scooping water to wash. Windows all along one side let in the refreshing green scenery. This has a nice & relaxed atmosphere.
The *huge outdoor hot spring pool(with a mini slide!!) is mixed bathing although changing areas are separate. You can see it on the right as you approach Kita onsen. No shower & and no soap. Beware, the floor of the pool was extremely slippy!
Max Kennard
Google
One of the craziest onsen I have ever been to, and I mean that in a good way. They have a mixed bath onsen pool in the front of the building with a slide for kids. They have multiple different kinds of baths each with their own theme and speciality. The building is very old as I believe it is from the Edo period. They also have rooms to stay in. A super fun way to finish your hike of Mt. Nasu
Sean O'Leary
Google
Beautiful spot, decent onsen and a rustic old building.
However… while the younger staff were patient and polite, the older staff were gruff, and rude.
Won’t be coming here again.
n ! d z
Google
Parking lot is far from the ryokan. You need to walk around 5-10 mins. They kept the building inside and out as it is which has its pros and cons. Pros is that you get to appreciate the interior and exterior structure of how Japan was in old times. Cons is that it is not fully maintained so there are some parts within the building that have depreciated. They have 2 cats (Momo and Maru). The room is pretty simple. No AC nor fridge however you can use the main fridge for ¥250 yen. They also sell drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and some snacks. They serve dinner and breakfast if you choose this option upon reservation. Or you can also cook your own food. They will let you use the kitchen for free. Just bring your own ingredients. Kitchen items are available. They have a lot of indoor and outdoor onsens. You should try them all! The main outdoor onsen which looks like a pool with slide is slippery due to moss so be careful. They only provide small towel so you should bring big towels if you need big ones. Television viewing inside your room is ¥100 per hour. You can smoke inside the room. They also have a library with Japanese books. Toilet is shared. Food was good. If you don’t mind a not fancy and old style ryokan then you would like this place.
erik clark
Google
Very old onsen. Thermae Roma was shot here I believe. Rustic, but apparently famous. For me, the primary attraction was to see where the movie was filmed, and because it is close to komadome taki. Not the best of onsen, but it was worth the walk through the forest.
will wellschlager
Google
Kita Onsen was a beautiful memorable place that I will certainly return to again.
They had delicious food for breakfast and dinner.
The staff was very helpful and friendly, even their cat made our stay more pleasant.
The abundance of different onsens available to use was very nice. The views from the outside ones were beautiful and helped make relaxing easier. One even was next to some waterfalls.