Gasthof Ami

Mr. Ban runs a great guesthouse. If you're not vegetarian, get full board. It's a bit hard to find. Directions: Take bus from stop 1A at Nikko Train Station. Get off at stop 13. Walk up hill past Saitoh Dental Clinic. Walk to end of high stone wall on right. Continue past grassy area on right. A 2nd stone wall begins. Take right at first opening and bear right. Gasthof Ami is the big house at the far end.

Very charming. Owner and his wife speak English well. I recommend getting the breakfast and dinner.

Nice cottage with private Onsen. Good value. Small boutique pension/lodging house with 4 rooms in the main building and 3 cottages. We are 3 couples so booked the 3 cottages that had private Onsen in the rooms. English countryside style cottages complete with poster beds, stained glass windows, floral curtains and sofa. Decor a little dated but overall it is clean and neat. Mattresses in 2 rooms on the soft side so request for hard mattress provided in one of the room. Kettle and fridge in each room. Owner and wife were very friendly and try their best to communicate with us in English explaining the food that were served. We had 1/2 board and the breakfast and the 4 course Japanese/French fusion dinner were very good on both nights. Coffee and a variety of tea options were available for after dinner drinks. The bread rolls were freshly baked and additional servings were allowed. The lodging is about 5 mins walk from the main road and about 10-15 mins walk to the many cafes and mini marts but we drove so not sure how far it was from the railway station.