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) 😅.

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.

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.

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.

Sekizenkan Kashoutei is a fascinating ryokan that beautifully juxtaposes the old and the new, creating a unique atmosphere during your stay. The historic parts of the building, with their charming age and character, tell a story of times gone by, while the newer sections offer modern luxury that contrasts nicely with the traditional elements. Our room was absolutely beautiful, featuring a somewhat modern design while still embracing the old-school tradition of sleeping on tatami mats. The gorgeous sprawling windows offered stunning views of tree branches and the famous red bridge associated with "Spirited Away," which added to the magical ambiance of our stay. It's worth noting that this ryokan served as inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film, making the experience feel even more special. However, my experience was somewhat marred by the fact that Sekizenkan Kashoutei is not tattoo-friendly, which was a significant letdown. As a traveler with tattoos, I felt discriminated against, and it was disheartening to be made to feel unwelcome due to cultural norms. I understand the cultural context, but it still impacted my enjoyment of the stay. Fortunately, the ryokan does offer private onsen options, and we were able to book one for a fee. This turned out to be a romantic and lovely experience, and we were also lucky to have access to the first-come, first-served private onsen without any issues. One aspect that raised concern was our room, which lacked a shower or bath of any kind. We worried that we might not have access to the first-come, first-served bath in the morning, but thankfully, we were able to use it without issue, which alleviated some of our concerns. Another draw for Sekizenkan Kashoutei is its fame from the animated film "Spirited Away," particularly due to one of the most famous bridges associated with the movie. This attracts many tourists for photo opportunities, which can be a bit annoying, especially since we were paying to stay there. It would have been nice if they limited tourist access to allow guests to enjoy the serene atmosphere more fully. Additionally, the parking situation was challenging. It wasn’t immediately clear that there are different parking lots for various parts of the building, and this information was somewhat buried on the website. After an awkward 15 minutes parked on someone else’s property, we finally figured out where to go, so I recommend planning accordingly if you're driving. On a positive note, the hotel features a lovely lounge area with free tea, coffee, and snacks, offering a stunning nighttime view of the gardens. Our stay was made even more special by the rain, which set a perfect mood for a cozy retreat. We had the pleasure of enjoying the best kaiseki dinner and breakfast of our entire trip at this ryokan. The setting, surrounded by greenery and gardens, was truly magical, and the flavors of the meals were perfectly balanced, making it a highlight of our culinary experiences in Japan. Overall, while there were some significant drawbacks, particularly regarding the tattoo policy and some logistical challenges, Sekizenkan Kashoutei still offers a memorable experience in a beautiful setting, especially for its exceptional dining.