Watarase Onsen Hotel Sasayuri — Hotel in Tanabe

Watarase Onsen Hotel Sasayuri (わたらせ温泉 ホテルささゆり) - A Hidden Gem of Traditional Japanese Hospitality

After spending four memorable days at Watarase Onsen Hotel Sasayuri, I can confidently say this establishment represents the finest in traditional Japanese hospitality. From the moment we arrived until our departure, every aspect of our stay exceeded expectations, creating an unforgettable onsen experience.

Outstanding Service The front desk staff exemplifies Japanese hospitality at its best - attentive, courteous, and genuinely committed to guest satisfaction. Their warmth and professionalism set the tone for our entire stay, making us feel welcome from the first moment. What truly sets this hotel apart is their attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond for their guests.

Exceptional Transportation Service The shuttle bus service deserves special mention. The two drivers aren't merely transportation providers; they're passionate ambassadors for the local area. In a remarkable display of hospitality, they took us on an impromptu tour to nearby natural hot springs along the river. This thoughtful gesture allowed us to experience the raw beauty of the region's geothermal wonders, adding an unexpected and delightful dimension to our stay.

Pristine Onsen Facilities The indoor hot spring facilities are immaculately maintained and offer a serene bathing experience. The cleanliness is impeccable, and the mineral-rich waters provide the perfect temperature and therapeutic benefits that onsen enthusiasts seek. The bathing areas are well-designed, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation.

Culinary Excellence Throughout our four-day stay, every meal was a celebration of Japanese cuisine. Both breakfast and dinner consistently impressed us with their quality, presentation, and variety. The chef's expertise shines through in every dish, showcasing seasonal ingredients and local specialties. The dining experience is further enhanced by the attentive and friendly waitstaff, who provide impeccable service with genuine warmth.

Watarase Onsen Hotel Sasayuri offers everything one could desire in a traditional Japanese onsen hotel - exceptional service, pristine facilities, excellent cuisine, and that special touch of personal care that transforms a good stay into an outstanding one. It's clear that every staff member, from the front desk to the shuttle drivers, from the chef to the serving staff, takes pride in creating memorable experiences for their guests.

My wife and I left with hearts full of wonderful memories and a strong desire to return. For anyone seeking an authentic onsen experience combined with superior service and comfort, Watarase Onsen Hotel Sasayuri comes with our highest...

I arrived by bus two hours before check-in and, as both desks were not staffed, I went to the onsen. At mid-day, I had the facilities to myself! ||||The young man checking me in responded to my Japanese in Japanese - rather than addressing me in broken English - which I appreciated. Then I discovered that both the main bath and the private bath fees were included in the room price - "Oh well!". I thought. The room was huge with two twin beds and a tatami seating area. It was very clean and comfortable with a bit of a "dated luxury" vibe. I ate in the noodle shop in the gift store in the evening wearing my yukata and the staff refunded the 700 yen I'd paid to use the onsen at lunch time. I wasn't expecting this as I wasn't a checked-in guest at the time. I thought that was very good of them.||||I was expecting it to be hard to get to use the private baths, but, in the early evening, most Japanese used the main bath so I didn't have to wait. ||||You can walk to Kawayu Onsen through the tunnel in about 10-15 minutes. The bus stop to Hongu is right outside of the hotel.||||Not so good - I fell over on the steep, mossy pavement that leads from Himeyuri to the baths. It was raining but I was wearing hiking boots at the time! Take care! The English information is basically computer-translated gibberish. I asked the older man where the "kiosk" that is mentioned on that print was and he tried to get an English speaker. I had to be firm and say: "I speak Japanese. Please listen". I told the staff that "kiosk" means a small convenience store and they admitted there is no such thing on site! I guess it is a bad translation of "souvenir store". The nearest place to buy pre-hike snacks is in Hongu so come prepared. I ended up with a packet of crisps for my lunch during the hike! ||||I got treated to some irritating Japanese "omotenashi" on check-out. I was asked if I knew where the bus stop was. I said, "Yes" and then a map was produced and I was given the whole "We are here (circle) ... here are some steps (circle) ... there are two bus stops (circle, circle) ..." etc. Completely unnecessary as I had said, "Yes" and my bus was coming in a five minutes. I wish some Japanese would just listen rather than following the manual and thinking that telling you what you already know is...

It was a bit confusing for me when I started to book our Wakayama trip (plus the language barrier didn't help) This is a lovely relatively small area nestled in the Wakayama mountains near the Kumano Kodo trail. In this 'Watarase Onsen' area - also called "Watase" by locals since natural hot springs emerge here - there are 3 hotels run by the same company. They are named Himeyuri, Yamayuri & Sasayuri. They all share access to the same amenities. We stayed at Yamayuri which is probably the oldest and the largest. It has the main onsen and rotenburo (outdoor bath) facility on its grounds, though the Sasayuri property also has an onsen inside the hotel too. I don't know how that onsen compares with the one at Yamayuri, where we stayed. The onsen attached to Yamayuri is fantastic. It's beautiful and large and the private onsen areas are wonderful. All are accessible from all 3 hotels, and to visit the main onsen, you only need to wear your yukata and make the short walk. It seemed to me that the Sasayuri hotel was the most modern, (has beds and a more modern entry area) and had a little bit of upmarket-feel but online it looks comparable. I didn't visit Himeyuri so I don't know - but it looked nice.||The staff are really helpful in explaining how to get to the hiking areas and have a speedy shuttle bus that picks you up in a few minutes after you call them. We had rented cars expecting to need them to ferry our hikers to and from but the hotel's shuttle made that unnecessary. It also has a charming area outside the public onsen for lunch and souvenirs where we all enjoyed ramen, udon and beers. The place was really perfect for our large group. We even glimpsed some monkeys wandering around the property!||The big deal here for us, beyond the lovely onsen, was the FOOD. Its crazy good. Even the stuff that you think oh wow, I think I'm scared to try this - was awesome. We were SO happy we had chosen to stay 2 nights and would have loved to stay longer. The English here isn't fluent, but you always can get what you need, and the people are really nice and work hard to make your...