Yamazato-no-iori Soen

The place is undeniably beautiful and the stay was, overall, very pleasant, with a kind and genuinely welcoming team. However, several details prevent the experience from feeling truly exceptional. Some practical elements feel overlooked, such as having to walk through mud to reach the onsen, where simple stones or a wooden path would make a clear difference. There is also a visual imbalance, with carefully designed areas contrasted by corners that feel unfinished or poorly concealed. In the onsen spaces, the lack of water stations is noticeable, especially after bathing, and the very small paper cups add to the feeling that comfort was not fully considered. Certain waiting areas near the onsens are also not well heated, which breaks the sense of relaxation. Compared to other ryokan, the absence of small complimentary gestures contributes to an impression that everything is charged, rather than thoughtfully offered. All the elements are there for this place to be outstanding, but it feels slightly underloved, as if more attention to detail, warmth, and refinement is needed to elevate it from beautiful to truly memorable.

This is a hidden gem! I am traveling in a group of 8. We only managed to book for 1 night since they are fully booked. Kaiseki Dinner and breakfast were sumptuous! Staff were really attentive and friendly. We were warmly welcomed with a tea ceremony. They can converse with us in English so communication was really easy. The Onsen! So gooddd.. We liked the outdoor Onsen by the river in particular. Of course, there were also private and public onsen. Plenty of free parking spaces available.

Enjoyed our 1 night stay here with 2 adults and 2 children (6&9). A tranquil and beautiful location with amazing onsen (including free private onsen). Our room was large enough to accommodate all four of us and was both comfortable and traditional.

The room was spacious and clean. The window could be opened. The hotel has separate men's and women's hot springs, as well as private hot springs; the outdoor hot spring scenery was stunning. The room rate included dinner and breakfast; the food was delicious but not particularly special. The staff were kind and helpful.

A really nice place to rest and recover after a 4 day 3 night hike. The outdoor onsen was great, being able relax to the sound of the river while enjoying the greenery was blissful. The food (for dinner and breakfast) was delicious. We also enjoyed having drinks at the "rest corners" found around the estate, which had a cozy feel and was comfortable.

When you want to go to a Ryokan, you need to understand a couple of things. It is not a Holiday Inn. It is not the Ritz. However, if you want an authentic Japanese experience, this is the place. Great food and service. The staff is great and the ethic of service pervades your stay. Hilda beef, local to the accommodations and served every meal, is even better. All in all, this place is a can’t miss.

Oh, what a joy this place was, after a few days in busy Tokyo! We stayed at Soene for two nights and enjoyed every minute of it. Okushida Onsen is a very small "town" so it goes without saying that Soene is in an isolated spot. It sits on a river, and some of the onsens overlook the river. There are several different onsens, including private ones that you can use on a first come basis. The onsen bathing is only part of the experience though. The rooms are Japanese style, which was a new experience for us. Both breakfast and dinner are traditional Japanese (Kanseki) meals, and were in as of themselves an experience we will not forget.||In all of its beauty it needs to be noted that the ryokan is in need of a bit of an update. It's not something I saw at first, but as you finally have taken in the general beauty of the place and of the hotel I noticed things such as the carpet fraying in some places. This is nothing major, and I would happily go back to the hotel for another stay!

Hidden in the mountains. Nice view. Great private onsen. Great breakfast and dinner. A great stay after visiting Kamikochi.