Watarase Onsen Hotel Sasayuri

“Good Onsen, but very normal hotel”

We took the latest bus from Shingu to Watarase Onsen, when we arrive, it was so dark, we had to call hotel to pick up us from the bus stop. The hotel has very big outdoor onsen, it was so nice. but the room had no shower and aslo too cold inside. The breakfast was only so so to compare with other O… lisää

We took the latest bus from Shingu to Watarase Onsen, when we arrive, it was so dark, we had to call hotel to pick up us from the bus stop. The hotel has very big outdoor onsen, it was so nice. but the room had no shower and aslo too cold inside. The breakfast was only so so to compare with other Onsen hotel. Anyway, we like the onsen so much!

vähemmän

“Great baths, peaceful atmosphere”

Situated along the historic Kumamo Kodo pilgrimage route, the Watarase Onsen complex comprises 3 hotels catering to different budgets. Sasayuri is targeted at the high end, with very large rooms, good service, great meals, and access to one of the largest open air hot spring baths (rotenburo) in Ja… lisää

Situated along the historic Kumamo Kodo pilgrimage route, the Watarase Onsen complex comprises 3 hotels catering to different budgets. Sasayuri is targeted at the high end, with very large rooms, good service, great meals, and access to one of the largest open air hot spring baths (rotenburo) in Japan. They will pick up and drop off at Shirahama station for free if you make advance arrangements, which makes it easy to access this hotel, which is nestled in the mountains. This hotel also offers free access to family (private) baths, as well as free use of massage chairs in the lobby. A wonderful mountain retreat that is more accessible than you think.

vähemmän

“Great service at a standard onsen hotel. Great outdoor onsens.”

This is one of the onsen hotels of the same group in Watarase onsen - used to be one of three, now it’s one of two since they closed the third one. Sasayuri is the nicer one and it’s a classic onsen hotel with large rooms and the usual public bath amenities. You have to call the hotel in advance to… lisää

This is one of the onsen hotels of the same group in Watarase onsen - used to be one of three, now it’s one of two since they closed the third one. Sasayuri is the nicer one and it’s a classic onsen hotel with large rooms and the usual public bath amenities. You have to call the hotel in advance to book the free shuttle pick up (15 min away) from Hongu Taisha mae bus stop which is convenient for those walking the Kumano Kodo and/touring the Hongu Taisha. Excellent service from reception staff to restaurant staff to driver. We organised luggage shuttle delivery (another company called Torii) and the hotel reception were great in making sure our bag was rightly labelled. They also helped us with getting small change for our bus fare. Food was good - not outstanding if I’m being picky as compared to other onsen hotels; but plentiful and delicious. The only area of improvement for dinner serving staff to serve up the dishes in a better order - eg let us finish the sashimi first before serving the hot dishes. The hotel has a public indoor bath. For outdoor onsen baths you can use the ones in the neighbouring (same chain) hotel which is a short 5 min walk via a connecting suspension footbridge. Rooms are very spacious, slightly dated but that’s the vibe of most onsen hotels in Japan anyway. Free coffee in the lobby. WiFi was good. Overall great location to stay for those doing the Kumano Kodo hike. I would give this a 3.5 out of 5, but TripAdvisor doesn’t allow half points.

vähemmän