Hotel Nosegawa — Hotel in Nosegawa

The quiet, unassuming exterior belied the efficiency and quality of this hotel. It was thoughtful of the staff to warm our room up in advance given the 6 deg C temperature outside. The sitting area at the balcony overlooked a pretty waterfall cascading into a clear stream. Unfortunately, the adjoining toilet cum bathroom was cold and the shower area cramped. However, the indoor onsen more than made up for this. There were 2 hot pools, one warmer than the other. The usual shower essentials were available. Nothing fancy or luxurious, just very clean and comforting.||The highlight of our 2-night stay has got to be the food. The Kaiseki dinner was beautifully presented and the cooking was more refined than what we had encountered in the other ryokans. Definitely a cut above the usual. The English-speaking chef took pains to explain the menu and the cold sake he recommended complemented the meal well.||The hotpot dinner the next night was a reward for us staying on.The wild duck, wild boar, pheasant, tofu, 3 types of mushrooms, cabbage and greens were oozing freshness. These ingredients were so flavorful after they were cooked in the boiling stock that our dipping sauce was hardly used .||Breakfasts were more muted affairs but no less meticulously executed. The care taken in preparing the food was apparent both in the presentation and taste. The meals alone were well worth the price of room and board. I would brave the drive on the skyline again to visit this...

Hotel Nosegawa is just a little jewel in the mountains of Japan. ||A little off kilter and definitely not 'luxury', Nosegawa makes up for its rough edges with the most charming and warm hearted staff, lovely rooms, delicious food, amazing onsen (and even a massage chair for a hikers tired legs)! The manager is utterly delightful and simply the sweetest man you will ever meet. On our arrival we were shown to our clean and spacious river facing room and swiftly went to have an onsen. Beautiful shampoos and body washes are available and even body creams and face washes (something our 5* hotel in Tokyo didn't offer!) We went down to an extensive and delicious supper served by a gorgeous young girl on her summer job who spoke perfect English and was simply a delight to talk to (we've even swapped email addresses)! Like a traditional ryokan, futon beds are assembled while at supper and our sleep on them was very restful. ||Perhaps what sums up this special place best is the fact that the next morning when we didn't have it in us to hike back to Koya, we were told we could take a bus. What we didn't know was that the bus was the chef driving us the 45 minutes back in his car - free of charge (waved off by the gorgeous manager from the porch). ||If your looking for 5* glamour this is not the place for you. But if you are doing the Kohechi trail, hiking in the area or simply want an evening out of Koyasan in a place full of soul and charm, then...

The front desk staff had good english, which make things easier.||Staff was friendly and cooperative.||Traditional rooms are ok, but not astounding. The river passing by is a nice touch.||Rest of the premise is uninspired (long cold corridors, stairs everywhere, hot spring bath is so-so, ...)||Restaurant is held by a lovely lady, has few dishes but they are very good (traditional Japanese). She doesn't speak english, but will make sure you have everything you need (and even show you how to mix the food and dishes). Excellent mood.||Traditional Japanese breakfast (noodles, fish, etc)||Credit...