Chateraise Hotel Isawa — Hotel in Fuefuki

I visited this hotel for lunch and day use onsen on a day trip to the area.

Lunch includes a sweets buffet and drinks bar, which was a pretty good deal. I had the steak box, which came on a tray holding a fancy bento box containing a layer of rice topped with cut pieces of steak, and little bowls with an appetizer, salad, Japanese pickles, and miso soup. The meat was really tender and flavorful. The drinks bar offered coffee, latte, tea, and soft drinks. A variety of cakes were offered on the dessert table. Lunch was really good and I even got a discount coupon for their day use onsen.

Although the bath isn't free-flowing natural hot spring water directly pumped in, they do use natural hot spring water that they circulate and heat up. Nevertheless, the day use onsen was a relaxing experience. The temperature of the water in the open-air bath was, however, a bit on the hot side (totally OK for cooler months, but not so much during the summer). They also have a jacuzzi and and indoor bath but I spent most of my time enjoying the open-air bath. They offer ice cream to overnight and day use onsen guests, which is indeed a nice treat after a good soak in a...

This is NOT a French chateau! It is a modern, clean, hot spring hotel. OK, the spouse says it's not a rEaL hot spring because they pipe in the water, but they sure over-compensate for that in many ways. First, they feed you. Seriously, don't eat before you go. Free cake, free ice cream, massive buffet breakfast. They make their own wine and dairy produce. Second: the facilities have clearly been renovated, whereas most Japan hotels still have that dated 昭和 look of the '80s. They have special facilities for travelers with dogs. Location-wise, it's amazingly close to the station. The fact that the surrounding area is deteriorating suburbia is beyond their control. You don't have to step outside anyway, because of the charming courtyard on site. Finally, the bath is clean, shiny, well kept, and BIG. The water might not be heavy enough for purists, but for the rest of us who value convenience and comfort, that's a small price to pay. Definitely...

An old hotel but the facilities are great. The room was spacious and the onsen was large nice and clean.

The onsen was complete with shampoo, conditioner and body wash. You can enjoy a normal onsen indoors or the out door one. They also have a jacuzzi type.

After getting in the onsen you can dry your hair. The blow dryers are provided and they also have face wash, lotion and essence ready.

The tepanyaki was awesome with grrat service and food

The garden was also a nice feature. It has a lot of beautiful koi fish. Seats are plenty with a gazebo, swing chairs and benches.

In the lobby you have access to unlimited ice cream after checking in. This was a nice feature during the blistering summer heat. Or after a nice...