Iya Onsen

The natural baths

The facilities were not very friendly. Missing a lounge area. The lack of English speaking people made service complicated. Facilities smelled a little because of humidity.

Clean.quiet.good service,good meals,good spring bath, surprisingly has a massage chair in the room.

No lift. Outdoor spring water not hot enough. No shower inside room.

The ryokan was beautiful. We had a Japanese style room with a futon on the floor. The amenities were nice, and the dinner and breakfast were delicious! The outdoor onsen was wonderful! The location was convenient for a leisurely start to the day yet still being able to see Kazurabashi and other nearby attractions without rushing.

The drive to the ryokan went through many one-car roads on the mountainside, which are common in the area but take practice to drive and can make motion-sickness-prone people ill easily. Even driving it didn't help me much. I enjoyed the futon on the floor, even at nearly 6 months pregnant and having to sleep on only my sides. However, my husband found sleeping on his side there more painful, so it will vary by individual.

stunning setting ..amazing outdoor onsen

no where to relax before dinner and have drinks

Amazing scenery. Staff were very friendly. Onsen was very relaxing

Iya Onsen is located in the magical, beautiful Iya Valley. Views are stunning, the outside onsen is amazing (and the cable car ride there and back is quite an experience). Staff treat you royally and they present meals beautifully.

As we are getting older, the Japanese style rooms are less comfortable. There are no elevators in the property, so you need to be comfortable on stairs. No in-room shower, was another downside.

An outdoor onsen with a hot spring water by the river, which is accessed by a cable car

The setting is gorgeous. The onsen is nice.

While the setting is top notch, the facilities are just … low quality. Several examples: the onsen water is lukewarm. They say it’s 38.5c which is just above body temp. In march, it is really cold outside, yet they keep the changing room rather cold. So coming out of barely warm onsen into nearly a freezing changing room is not pleasant at all. Now, the onsen water temp is out of hotels control, but the heating in the changing room certainly is. Next, dinner and breakfast- only one word - cheap. The dinner didn’t even feature sashimi!!! Can you even call it kaiseki if it doesn’t have sashimi? On their website it seems one can purchase an upgrade - we were never offered such. Not sure. But the bottom line, food is blah.

Food is very disappointed.

Environmental

Hotel Iya Onsen provided an unforgettable experience during our stay. The views of the Iya Gorge were stunning, offering breathtaking scenery that truly showcased the beauty of the valley. The outdoor onsen was a highlight, allowing us to relax in nature while enjoying the serene atmosphere. Both dinner and breakfast were exceptional, featuring delicious Japanese cuisine. The staff were incredibly attentive and friendly, making us feel warmly welcomed throughout our visit. Overall, an excellent experience that we would highly recommend!

The only downside was the hotel’s remote location, which made access slightly challenging. However, this seclusion added to the charm of the stay, making it perfect for those seeking tranquility.