Hotel berhampiran Sleeping Cat, Nikko

Arrived at Hotel and parked the rental car in the car park for free. Staff were very efficient and check in was very quick. Japan is still very Covid conscious and masks are worn everywhere. We were advised that there were were facilities for making Tea/ coffee in the room and that we should take any provisions required (for free) from the table arranged in the lobby i.e. tea / coffee / toothbrushes..etc. Room was lovely and spacious with a comfortable bed and lovely en-suite- lovely deep bath (shower fixings would be low for taller individuals). They had an evening bar and Onsen (natural hot water spring separate for males and females). They had a restaurant that provided an extensive buffet menu for breakfast - very tasty, and they had a select menu for the evenings and what we tried was very tasty also. The staff in the Hotel and restaurant were most friendly and encouraged me when I attempted some Japanese words. A very lovely start to our holiday in Japan - Thank you for your hospitality, we would happily stay here again

作為去日光和鬼怒川温泉的中轉站，特別安靜的一個小城市，有很多的稻田，晚上還有蛙鳴。酒店的位置很好，在jr今市和下今站之間，羽田在淺草轉直達鬼怒川温泉的特快列車，非常舒適。酒店安靜整潔，好像是一家人開的，門鎖還是老式的，需要鑰匙開，不是電子的。酒店斜對面就是便利店，超級方便，另外離大型超市也不算遠。附近飯館略少，很多營業時間都比較短。

I adore the Ritz Carlton brand - whether in Paris, SG, Dubai or HK - you are guaranteed an experience that is captivating. Unfortunately this is not the case in Nikko. I am not a hotel guest. But since I am in lake Chuzenji & have heard so much raves about the hotel, I thought I would drop by the admire the beauty & splendour of the Ritz in lovely Nikko. I didn’t have a restaurant reservation, but being low season in Nikko, I wouldn’t think it will be a problem to get a table for 2 for lunch? Unfortunately, I was wrong. So wrong. I was told the hotel is booked out the whole day for dining in Lakehouse? I enquired - how about any other restaurants? No, Mam. Non available. I can wait - it’s already 1.30pm, surely a table will open up pretty quickly in very quiet Nikko at the moment? The lady replied - that’s the thing - we are booked out the whole day, just for today. Well deeply, I cannot stop rolling my eyes. Fine, I don’t need to be captivated with the splendid of Ritz by Lake Chuzenji given the arrogance & lackadaisical service, just because I am not a hotel guest? Worse was this conversation did not take place in the warm hotel lobby. I was standing at the hotel entrance in cold winter afternoon. Thanks you Ritz, for the very very very cold reception. The pure ignorance & discrimination for non-hotel guest.I am truly enlightened.

We were hosted by an elderly couple, and his family members. They were super cute, friendly and polite. It's like their small family business, ground floor was a western restaurant, second floor onwards were all the guest rooms. They know a bit of English, so the communication wise no issue at all. What we love about this stay is that other than the room with gorgeous lake view, the host was super helpful to allow us to store our luggage with them even way before our check-in timing. Furthermore he even offer to send us to the laundry shop, when we just casually ask him about the laundry. What actually surprised me the most, was that he even FETCH us from the laundry shop after we were done. Will definitely come back to this place again if I'm in Nikko! Thumbs up! Super host!! 😁

コロナ禍、本当に久々の外出ということもあり、少し高めでもと露天風呂付きのお部屋を予約しました。 露天風呂→こちらの温泉が皆さん良いということでしたのでお部屋の露天風呂にも当然温泉と思いましたが普通の水道水でした。残念…。勿論、網戸などない場所なのでバスタブは虫だらけでした。 ベッド→という名で掲載されていますが、お部屋の角が少し高くなっているところにせんべい布団が引いてあるだけです。硬すぎて身体が痛くて良く眠れませんでした。 寝具？シーツ？もお洗濯の生乾き臭で残念です。 コロナ禍で仕方ないとは思いますが、連泊してもタオルの交換があるくらいで、ベッドメイキングのし直しはなかったです。 お部屋はすごく寒かったです。 料理→季節や地元のものを期待していたのに、カニとエビばかり。カニは冷凍してあったものと想像します、ですので、変な硬さがあり身もほぐせず半分も食べずに諦めました。アレルギーの確認がないので、甲殻類アレルギーの方はお料理絶対確認したほうが良いと思います…。 食品テーブル調理用の燃料が小さくて、しゃぶしゃぶ、豚肉が出てきたのですが途中で火が消えて諦めました。あと5分くらい調理出来るサイズだとよいのでは？ 朝食は和風です。コロナ禍ということもあり、バイキングは難しいと思いますがせめて和朝食か洋朝食くらいは選べると良いのにと思います。 そして、フロントの男性スタッフがフロントらしくない所作と思いました。わたしたちの名前を予約リストから見つけられず、本当にうちで予約していますか？と聞かれました。女性は丁寧でした。 いうことで、コロナ禍なのでサービスが制限されるのは仕方ないと思いますが値段とサービス内容が合っていないと思いました。

老酒店了，位置很贊，是離楯巖吊橋最近的酒店了，伴着吊橋的美景就在窗外，徒步10分鐘即可穿過吊橋抵達觀景台。房間很大，設施舊了點，但也夠乾淨適用。早晚自助餐品種挺豐富的。有送站免費巴士，步行也就10分鐘。温泉室內外都有，隔天男女互換，門口沒有冰牛奶。

I stayed here with my partner and two friends (in two rooms) for two nights while exploring the Nikko area. The rooms were a bit smaller than some other ryokans I have been to but perfectly comfortable and clean. There were also two outdoor baths and two indoor baths (male and female) which would switch at particular times to allow guests to enjoy all the baths available during their stay. The outdoor baths in particular allowed you to enjoy views of the river and hills while bathing during daylight hours.

* 5 star service from Hitomi and make sure to upgrade to all you can eat dinner/breakfast dining option. Booked this hotel for a stay in Mid November and after getting off of train we caught the bus here a little after sundown. The autumn leaves are really outstanding-almost every picture is a gorgeous post card. Bus driver asked where we are headed to and told him ”Kinugawa Onsen Hotel” . Took around 10 min to arrive and we were dropped off in front of hotel parking lot. Waited in a short line to check in and front desk service referred us to ”HITOMI” her name on tag in hiragana characters. She whipped up 2 page map with room information, pertaining elevator diagram and hotel keys. Make sure to pay careful instructions about onsen and buffet times- free soft serve ice cream and snacks until 6pm in lobby/ free drinks, coffee, tea until 10pm. FYI- best soft serve in Japan Hokkaido milk...yummy!!! 5 golden stars to HITOMI- top notch and friendly service. She urged us to be aware of emergency exits on our floor. While you are dining they will bring out futons so when you return- soft futons are waiting for you! The room is a traditional tatami mat with table and cushions. It is welcoming with snacks, complementary bottled water and a hot tea station. Room safe in closet also included were yukata robes for him and her. Ugh, wonderful amenities, tooth brush, a few toiletries -worry free stay. After visiting the onsen - kind of stressful for a foreigner like me. Not used to being naked with other ladies but in reality I was invisible- no shame at all. We headed down to the all you can eat dinner. We had 90 min-more than enough time to eat from 7:30 to 9pm. The spread was adequate with dishes from Japan and a few we recognized. Tempura made to order, musubi bar, gelato station, bakery section, fruit bar, local dishes and drink machine both hot or cold more-more- more- too much to mention. Looked at all the diners like ravenous sharks. Lots of help staff taking away empty plates, chefs assistants re-filling the empty vessels with more foods. Orderly chaos in front of me and loving every succulent moment. I felt like Templeton in the Charlot's Web movie. Burp* UGH, rubbing my full belly and going for seconds and thirds. Repeating ” ah, ill have a year to diet” until we come back again. Super glad we upgraded to the all you can at buffet. Coming again in the morning-they open at 7am for breakfast. It ended up being a repeat but with Japanese breakfast foods too. We did an early checkout at 8am and paid our $2 onsen tax. They were nice enough to let us stay in the room until 10am if we promised to bring back both keys at that time- no issues there. First bus back to the train station arrives a little after 10 am and Hitomi came out to ask us to wait in lobby. Lobby had comfy seats and was warmer than outside. Hitomi soooo kind of her she told us the bus was here- wished her every success in life! Please -if you get a chance to

This is my third trip/adventure to Japan. I would say as a solo traveler this has to be one of the very best places I have ever stayed in when travelling around Japan. I came to Nikko np to explore the vast array of hiking trails, all of which I did, had breathtaking views and a poetic, truly majestic Japanese feel to them. I rented a car from Nasushiobara (Shinkansen) and drove across to Kinugawa. On arrival I was greeted by a host of the hotel staff, welcoming me and helping me with parking and my bags. I checked in with ease and with some broken English and Japanese on my part was led to a beautiful traditional Japanese style room overlooking the river. The service throughout was world class and made me feel both very comfortable, at home, but also special. I stayed 3 nights with half board (breakfast and dinner), both truly amazing and served with grace and politeness. On the first evening’s dinner one of the serving staff took the time to speak with me and allowed me to share some of my recent experiences/photos etc whilst preparing dinner - this was most welcome, especially as I had been travelling alone for over a week. The location of the onsen hotel is about 60 mins drive to some of the most sought after walks in the np. Very easy to access by car and excellent roads. The accommodation itself is a mix between very traditional Japanese resort and original/boutique Ryokan. The private and public onsen’s are fantastic and a well deserved rest-bite after a long days hiking! Having been to some of the most popular ryokan’s in Japan; Iwaso, Claska etc, this came as a very nice surprise and at an affordable rate without any compromise. If in the area, I would highly recommend staying…

Style. Simple clean modern design Setting. Japan countryside, off the beaten path near highway, good for short overnight stay if on a longer drive Explore. Farm park. Outdoor hot springs across street @ the hotel. Convenience store style snacks available in the lobby. There are no restaurants in the hotel. Basic amenities so no hair conditioner, no bathtub. Nice common area/lobby. Helpful English speaking staff (Ayumi Osawa) that was super responsive via email. Rooms. I had a small clean room facing the trees on the 3rd floor, was here after a red-eye flight so checked in at 11 am and checked out 3 hours later, was happy with the experience Food & drinks. Looked like there were some restaurants nearby. Best to have car to get around Prices. Good /great value at US$115 Rating. 4/5