Don't have any complaint.

The best onsen ever! Everything was a dream. I would gladly pay again for these experience. 100% will return. Everything was as described. We were the only foreigners there and we don't speak japanese but everyone made sure we were welcomed and that we understood everything.

Stayed in June 2025

It was an unbelievably good staying. The staff was amazing, so kind, helping me in whatever I needed. The food was marvelous. The hotel is incredibly lovely, it has an ancient charm and I only wish I’ll be able to go back again.

Stayed in July 2025

For that price I would expect the reception desk staff to speak English. We could not use hotel onsens, except the one in our room. We do not know why, could not communicate with the staff. Some of the seafood during dinner or breakfast was a challenge for us, such as sea cucumber intestines.

Magical place, traditional Japanese Onsen. I was cool to have your own onsen bath in your room. Comfortable room, spacious. Vegan dinner and breakfast.

Stayed in July 2025

Stains on hall rugs

History

Stayed in July 2025

- Private Open-air onsen! :) - The room with tatami area and open-air bath immaculate! - room is very spacious in all aspects (toilet, bedroom, living room, bath). It is even bigger than it looks in the pictures - large comfortable beds - delicious dinner and breakfast served in a private dining room - lots of activities to do - night light show at the "Spirited Away" bridge, massage chair, pantry/ lounge, and If the private onsen in your room is not enough for you, you can explore the various shared onsen. - nice items at the souvenir shop - friendly and accommodating staff - great location - it is just a minute walk to and from the bus that takes you to the train station, likewise it is walking distance to many cafes and to Asunaro which serves chicken tonkatsu that your grandparents will serve to their favourite grandchild.:)

Stayed in May 2025

Some parts look slightly run down, like the staircase but nothing serious.

Beautiful building in gorgeous surroundings. Fabulous baths and all in all a serene experience, especially during the week when there are less people. Luxurious enough but not over the top.

Stayed in June 2025

This place is a Ghibli dream!

Stayed in April 2025

It would have been nice if they offered massages on the property but this was not a big deal. Also, the area is a little difficult to get to, but still worth the trip.

The facilities were excellent and the food and service were also pretty amazing.

Stayed in April 2025

What an amazing stay in such a historic ryokan. It is the oldest ryokan in Japan, so, as you can expect, there will be some signs of age in the common areas/hallways. However, our rooms were modern and the hospitality and meals were absolutely 5*!! Loved it.

Stayed in May 2025

The hotel is a 35 minute bus ride from the nakanojo train station which can add time to your journey, but the views on the way to the hotel made up for it.

The location and our room was gorgeous and the staff were very friendly and attentive. Both the dinner and breakfast was delicious and beautifully presented which made the trip a memorable experience for us. Wish we could have stayed longer!

Stayed in April 2025

The room was stunning, but much of the hotel seems a bit run down, not in the “old and beautiful” way, more in the “there has been a leak onto this carpet for years and the carpet was never replaced” way.

Room design and style was stunning, perfect mix of traditional and modern

Stayed in April 2025

I stayed in the new building but when I arrived at the main building (honkan) I was told to just walk over through the a passage from the original building. That meant puling my luggage up the steep wooden stairs, walk down dimly lit hallways to the elevator, then walk through a damp and scary tunnel to get to another elevator, which took me finally to the new building. I appreciate the history, but I did not find it enjoyable to pull my heavy luggage through the old building. Later I found out there is a beautiful entrance for the new building on the opposite side! I wish they had told me to walk around outside to get there.

This classy, 300+ year-old landmark has continued to host and pamper visitors from all over. Its historical significance is beyond imagination, from the original architecture to photographic and block-printed records of the past. Now they are famous also because Miyao Hayazawa stayed at Sekizenkan and used it as an inspiration for creating the world of Spirited Away. The place has immaculate rooms, common areas, beautifully manicured natural garden, and of course natural spring baths (count 3 huge baths) each a breathtaking view of the environment and a unique style. I loved also that my room had a beautiful, private hot spring bath with a view. The spring water left my skin supple and smooth! For dinner, I had a delicious and mind-blowing a 12??-course kaiseki meal that took 2 hours from aperitif to desert, and every dish was a work of art. The staff was friendly and courteous. Oh and there is that red bridge in front -- a famous scene out of Spirited Away -- and it's just perfect. There is so much I love about the place.

Stayed in April 2025

Excellent seasonal foods and kaiseki

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing

Everything, the place, the architecture, the service, the onsens, the food and the staff. Everything was done to perfection and with so much aesthetics. The touch of a small gift for the birthday of my wife was so lovely. Thanks again to the lovely staffs.

Stayed in April 2025

Some carpets in the hotel grounds were a little dated on the lower floors.

Fantastic meals included, food was outstanding and the private dining service was on another level.

Stayed in April 2025

Beautiful, clean, with wonderful staff.

Stayed in March 2025

The only downside is the location as it takes some time to get there from major cities, but it is expected given that it's in an onsen town in the countryside.

Exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. Included dinner & breakfast exceeded expectations in terms of service, quality, quantity, and effort. The variety of baths available were nice, and the facilities were clean.

Stayed in April 2025

The experience

Stayed in March 2025

Quite place away from the city Nice food

Stayed in April 2025

The sekizenkan meal may not be for everyone due to the very strong traditional Japanese flavors but it is both unique and authentic feeling. They serve both dinner and breakfast so be mindful of your manners and enjoy the meals as much as possible.

Shima Onsen was a one-of-a-kind experience where past meets the present. The building is beautifully modernized from the Edo period while maintaining its old charm. First off, the check-in experience was an A+ as they give you detailed instructions on how to navigate the building and also a warm reception (with snacks too!). Then they lead you to your very tidy room and lay out all the ground rules for your stay. The staff were very accommodating. The inn itself is an interesting 8-floor layout split into 2 main sections - 1st to 4th floor, then 5th to 8th floor separated by the "spirit tunnel" elevator which is a literal scene out of Spirited Away. There are 2 main onsen in the inn with one with both an indoor and outdoor section and one that is only indoors. Both are very charming and relaxing as well as spacious. I would recommend anyone looking for a unique onsen experience to stay here at least one night. The quiet mountain atmosphere is awesome.

Stayed in April 2025

This place is a great getaway. The rooms were lovely and comfortable. The food was my favourite part of the stay, very delicious and presented like fine dining. The outdoor onsen and foot baths are also very relaxing. Would recommend to visit.

Stayed in March 2025

Stayed in the Kashotei suite with private onsen and it was truly beautiful and relaxing. Got to enjoy my private onsen every morning and evening and the public open air onsen too. Perfection! The kaiseki dinners were an art form. Almost too beautiful to eat! The staff at the hotel were always so kind and helpful. Any kudos!

Stayed in March 2025

Everything, honestly, everything! The location, the signature red bridge, the building, the atmosphere, the history, the staff, the facilities, the accommodation, fabulous dinner in private dining room with panoramic view, and the private onsen in our room!

Stayed in March 2025

No notes - everything was amazing. Highly highly recommend!

This place is nothing short of magical. I came for the Ghibli history, and there was only one of the fancier rooms with a bath on the balcony left to book. While it's a splurge (particularly for a solo traveller), what you get for your money is absolutely royal treatment in the most beautiful of surrounds. I visited when it was snowing and it is something I will never forget, sitting in the outdoor bath with snowflakes falling all.around. The kaiseki meals were an absolutely stunning experience in terms of both the food - which was beyond fresh, thoughtful, detailed and inventive - and the experience of eating in a private room with a view of the snow-blanketed garden out the window. The room was gorgeously appointed, with lush linens, and the balcony bath was out of this world. You would still have a great time staying in the other buildings, which have a more historical feel, and the roman-styled public bath is also well worth a visit or two (in addition to the outdoor public bath). But if you are considering splashing out on one of the rooms in the Kashotei building, you won't be sorry in the slightest that you did. It's the most luxurious experience I have ever had. Thank you Sekinzenkan Kashotei! Be sure to visit the little stall in town selling yakimanju for a daytime snack too, a hyper-local & delicious speciality :-)

Stayed in February 2025