Yumoto Chouza

“Beautiful Ryokan with lovely Onsen and fantastic food”

This is a great place for a splurge - the common areas and rooms are very tastefully decorated with lots of attention to detail. Most comfortable futon I have ever slept on! There are three different types of Onsen to choose from - public (including an outside pool), private (also including an outs… more

This is a great place for a splurge - the common areas and rooms are very tastefully decorated with lots of attention to detail. Most comfortable futon I have ever slept on! There are three different types of Onsen to choose from - public (including an outside pool), private (also including an outside pool) and riverside. Dinner and breakfast were served in a private dining room with fireplace and were simply delicious (we had both a standard and a vegetarian meal - the latter provided upon request but we were warned it would contain fish sauce. Fine for me, but may be problematic for some vegetarians). The Ryokan is very easy to reach by bus from Hirayu Onsen and quietly located in a charming village. Staff were very friendly and accommodating.

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“Fantastic baths, beautiful spacious building”

Firstly, how to get here. From Takayama take Noho bus to Shin Hotaka, which goes through Hirayu Onsen. From Matsumoto take bus to Hirayu Onsen, then take bus to Shin Hotaka. Ryokan is right across from bus stop 41. There is one bus each hour. One goes through Fukuchi Onsen and stops at a 41. … more

Firstly, how to get here. From Takayama take Noho bus to Shin Hotaka, which goes through Hirayu Onsen. From Matsumoto take bus to Hirayu Onsen, then take bus to Shin Hotaka. Ryokan is right across from bus stop 41. There is one bus each hour. One goes through Fukuchi Onsen and stops at a 41. The other takes a different route and stops at 42. So if you want 41 take the bus that does not stop at 42. If you do take the bus that stops at 42, get off at 45 and walk down the road to the left for about 10 minutes until you find 41, and the ryokan (no English sign) is across from it. Ryokan is a beautiful old building, with hand hewn timbers. Long corridors through the woods connect one part to another. There are three small private baths with indoor and outdoor sections, first come first served. There are two large public baths in main building, one for men, one for women. Both have indoor and outdoor pools. Then across the road there is a walkway to another pair of large public baths that have a roof and two walls, with the other two sides open to a wonderful view of the forest and the river. The bath were hot and wonderful, best ryokan baths I've been in in Japan (out of four ryokans in onsen towns). Rooms were very large with views. No wifi in ryokan. Meals are taken in private dining rooms and are terrific of course. Our server was a very nice young man who spoke English well and explained the meal to us. Though there was a cigarette machine in the lobby, we did not run into any smoking despite a full ryokan. English was limited at front desk. When we first arrived at noon the welcome was a bit off. We were first told that the ryokan was all booked up. When we explained that we had a reservation, they told us "check in is at 3, you cannot stay here" I hope that was not due to a lack of hospitality but rather to limited English. One would think we could stay in the lobby. However we went down the road to find a public bath and a modest cafe where we had some udon.

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“wonderful traditional onsen with superb food”

HOTEL Beautiful traditional wooden buildings, very remiscent of a European hunting lodge. Lounge had a lovely high ceilinged lounge with a large open log fire - must be fabulous in winter.   Very peaceful, calm and relaxing atmosphere, with the rooms & buildings surrounded by flowing water and love… more

HOTEL Beautiful traditional wooden buildings, very remiscent of a European hunting lodge. Lounge had a lovely high ceilinged lounge with a large open log fire - must be fabulous in winter.   Very peaceful, calm and relaxing atmosphere, with the rooms & buildings surrounded by flowing water and lovely gardens. A set of lovely private onsen with inside and outside bathing pools, surrounded by garden / screens, plus the gender separate communal ones. One the most beautiful hotels I've stayed in (I'm not a FourSeasons type of person).   FOOD Had some superb traditional kaiseki multi-course Hida meals, with wonderful fresh produce, vegetables, fish and beef, fantastic pickles, some cooked over an open Irori, ... and tried some raw bear (a new one on me) Served in attractive private rooms. The hotel very kindly provided English speaking staff to serve all our meals. All the staff were incredibly kind and helpful, given our complete lack of ability in Japanese.  Showed us great traditional hospitality for b/f and dinner. BEDROOM Beautiful large Suite with its own Irori, with moveable screens and a small veranda overlooking the gardens.  Could hear the flowing water in the garden outside. Very quiet. Very comfortable.  Slept extremely well. OVERALL I'm not prone to over compliment, but I run out of superlatives for this Ryokan. It was one of the more expensive lodgings on this 3 wk Japan trip, but was excellent value. A truly memorable stay in Sept 2015, so we need to work out when we can go back. The website pictures just about do justice to how lovely it is. ACCESS Easy to travel: Reliable Nohi bus (English timetable online), 1hr from either Takayama or Matsumoto, sometimes change at Hirayu.  Fukuchi Onsen is on a smaller road by-passed by the main highway. Email Ryokan and tell them which bus you're taking, they will tell you exactly which bus stop (have names like train stations & one is directly outside) to get off at, and tell bus driver, and all will be fine. staff will meet you.  

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