Nanjyoen Reviews

Nanjeon Onsen. Recommended! I managed to book this lovely ryokan that was listed as “full” on the popular booking sites, by going direct to their website. They are super good, read on! 1) Before we came, they wrote email to check our dietary requirements and prepared bath bags according to gender/ size. 2) We were delayed by traffic and wrote to tell them that we may not be able to reach in time for 6pm dinner, maybe half an hour late. Then, because we arrived in the dark, we missed the turn and got lost. They sent a young guy staff to help ＞ limited English, Papago app helped a ton! We googled and re-drove our way out. Then arrived like 7ish, starving and cold. An older guy and the young guy greeted us. The older one told the younger one to tell us not to worry, to go eat first and then check in later. (Some onsens will not serve dinner if you are late!). 3) When we entered the dining room, the lady staff serving explained all the food laid out beautifully for us. And then continued as they served up one course after another till course 12. Course 13 was thoughtfully served to our room so we could rest and have our dessert. The young guy staff took our passports to do the check in while we ate. 4) Then when we wheeled our luggage in, the elderly man was quietly waiting to clean our luggage wheels one by one before loading into the hall. He does not speak much cos his English is non existent and will come across as abrupt. But if you observe, you will know that he is very thoughtful. 5) The beds were nicely laid for us when we took our luggages up. Yukata, warm coat, toe socks, a bag with smallwash towel, toothbrush and comb were provided. Men bag had shaving cream pack and shaver. 6) The baths were indoors/ outdoors, male and female separated. There are also two private baths, one open to nature and one enclosed. During hours that are open to public, the private baths will be key-entry only for guests while the outdoors communal ones are open to all. Indoors are still guests only. I tried all. It was lightly mineralized baths. My skin felt very smooth after. 7) Food is superb. Very intricate 13 course dinner, very filling. Horse sashimi (basashi) tastes like Parma ham with no salt. Should try. 8) Parking is convenient. They are located just next to Tourist Information centre.

I made an online reservation 10 weeks in advance. There was limited availability, and I could only book for 1 night. We communicated via email regarding meal preference, as my husband is a pescatarian. They were very accommodating. The location of Nanjoen was very central , just steps away from the old town filled with restaurants and shops. We were received with a welcome drink. They took our luggage and wiped them clean before they were delivered to our room. We had a spacious Japanese room with tatami. We used their onsens, both family and gender separated ones. The outdoor ones have a part-mountain view. I had an unforgettable experience with Kurokawa onsens water. For the first time ever in my life, not a single strand of my hair fell. I usually have clumps of hair fall off every day after showers. I combed my hair through multiple times, as I could not believe that. None fell off. I have never experienced that in other onsens before, eg. Beppu, Hakone. I was joking that I would have to move to Kurokawa. The Kaiseki dinner was great , all dishes were a feast for the eyes. Breakfast was also delicious with local fresh ingredients. We were particularly pleased with their hospitality. Top notch service. We were happy that we could stay for at least 1 day, 2 would be better.

We stayed in Kurakowa Onsen for 2 nights and very much enjoyed our stay at Nanjouen. Its a really beautiful Ryokan, with lovely people, amazing food, a lot of love for details, great Onsen and much more. Amazing value for money and I cant recommend it enough. We had a double room with a separate bedroom with two western beds, a main room with tatami mats and place for 2-3 futons, a bar with chairs and amazing views, and a private semi open air onsen (and a shower and toilet). Halfboard is included and is excellent. Its severed in private rooms, and the Kaiseki dinners are really amazing. There are gender separated onsen, indoor and outdoor.