Honkan, Sekizen-kan

I really had a very enjoyable 2 nights stay here. The breakfast and dinner provided was really good and of excellent quality. Service was exceptional. And the outdoor onsen at Kashoutei was everything you want an onsen to be ( ´ ꒳ ` ) Stop by their cafe next to the main building for the softserve ice cream with sweet potato too! Really yummy sweet treat. Overall it was a very memorable and relaxing stay.

Review not included the hotel and services, only from the outside location. Wanted to visit this place since we watched “spirited away” and was excited to see it in person. Worth the hours of drive up through. We parked nearby the resort and had a quick walk to visit the bridge (we did held our breath as we crossed) 😅.

As a big studio Ghibli fan this has been on my bucket list to visit and it didn’t disappoint! We booked the last possible room and it was an enormous room. Our room was in the newer built section and it came with its own onsen. Our dinner was served in our room which was nice, we had a spectacular view for the town and mountains from our room. This place is an amazing place to relax and be present. The only thing I would have to say to future guests is there are no tattoos allowed in the public onsens but you can book a private one if your room doesn’t come with one.

(This review is written especially for foreign travelers) – Recommendation: Stay at "Kashotei" for better multilingual support. As a Japanese traveler, all ratings are 5 stars. Sekizenkan, along with the iconic red "Keiun-bashi" bridge in front of it, is widely believed among anime fans to have inspired the bathhouse ("Aburaya") in Hayao Miyazaki's film Spirited Away. If you have seen the movie, you will immediately feel a strong sense of familiarity with the atmosphere of the inn and the bridge. Sekizenkan consists of three main buildings: the "Honkan" (Main Building), the "Sansou" (Mountain Villa), and the "Kashotei." The "Honkan," built during the Edo period (before 1800), holds significant historical value and is designated as an Important Cultural Property by Gunma Prefecture. The "Sansou" and "Kashotei" were added later during the Showa era. All three buildings are interconnected, allowing guests to walk between them. The interior of the "Honkan" offers a beautifully preserved historical atmosphere, balanced with modern comforts. Notably, the restrooms have been renovated and are very clean and comfortable, which adds to the overall pleasant experience. A few important notes for foreign travelers, especially for those not fluent in Japanese: The "Honkan" has no multilingual signage or guidance. All information and notices are in Japanese only, which might cause some confusion. If you prefer a more foreigner-friendly experience, I highly recommend staying in the "Kashotei." It offers adequate multilingual support, including restaurant services, hotel guides, in-room notices, and possibly English-speaking staff. While the price at "Kashotei" is higher compared to the "Honkan," you can expect higher-quality service and a smoother stay.

The whole building is built of wood. So the sound is everywhere when you step on the floor or go up/ down to the stairs. There is no toilet in the room, you use the sharing toilet. The building itself is very attractive. Please stay at least one night for such a wonderful place.

If you know the anime Spirited Away, this might look familiar. Regardless, the hotel is beautiful. You can stay in the old wing which may not have the best facility but you will get a taste of how it was like in the past. Or stay in the new wing which offers the best luxury one can offer. The food is one of the best, if not the best we have in Japan. Our dinner was served in our room with seasonal ingredients and attentive service. Of course the staff is as friendly and polite as you would expect. Not everyone is capable to communicate in English but they surely will try their best. Driving there is very straightforward but if you are staying in the new wing, the parking and the reception are actually in the back of the hotel (if you consider the famous red bridge is the front.) Highly recommended and early reservation is a must to get the room and date you want.

We booked a full inclusive experience with the Japanese room. The experience was perfect from that start with the check-in to the room. The room was huge, clean with a nice view - definitely recommend it. Had the chance to have the in room dining too. The hotel generally old but it’s part of the experience, but will say mostly clean. Diner and breakfast was high quality product. Access from Tokyo is ok, train + bus - easy with little planning. Thanks to the team.

An amazing ryokan where the experience on the outside matches the incredible decor of the exterior. Being able to sleep in this wonderful and historical place is already enough to justify the somewhat high, but quite reasonable price, of the room. Do not hesitate to come and spend a night or two there if you’re visiting Japan !