This truly is a diamond amongst the hidden gems of Japan.

My partner and I stayed here from July 15th to 19th - quite a long stay for an onsen resort, but it was well worth it, because it was a truly magical experience.

The staff are very welcoming, and seem truly happy (even excited) to accommodate us, despite our foreign nature. The staff had mixed levels of English, but we were always able to come to an understanding, albeit with the occasional assistance of google translate. They were also happy to listen to us ramble in our own very bad Japanese.

The food was excellent, and the property was just stunning. The beatiful wood, stone and compacted earth building was beyond belief, and the gardens were a sight to behold. The gardens also boast fireflies, though only a few.

The baths were all amazing, and our room "Take" (Or "Bamboo") had a private onsen as well. We found the "Saru" hotspring to be the most favourable. Note that there are no shared mixed bathing facilities here, only gender segregated, however if your room does not have a dedicated private Onsen, there are some single use onsen that you can use as a mixed group. These Onsen have locking doors, and are provided on a first-come-first-serve basis.

In terms of location, It's a little bit out of the way, we hired a car from Koriyama station and drove, but this gave us access to other things to see in the area.

Unfortunately, for those with mobility issues, I would have to recommend against this place, as there are stairs everywhere and no alternatives. I have mild ankle and knee problems, and those alone made some trips in and out a bit difficult, but I knew what to expect, and was willing to work past this inconvenience.

For everybody else, if you get the chance to visit this place, I cannot recommend it enough. I've spent a total of 3 months in Japan, staying at multiple Onsen in Honshu and Kyushu, and this one is the best by a long shot.