Nakaya Fudokaku

The service was very warm and hospitable. The food was delicious, and I would like to visit again if I have the opportunity to be in the area. The coffee I enjoyed while enjoying the nature was also very delicious!

Shirabu Onsen is located in the mountains. From Yonezawa, take a JR bus for about an hour to Shirabu Onsen Waiheisho (waiting for 950 yen). It's very close to Nishi-Azumayama and Yumoto Station, just a few minutes away. We chose a random room type with a mountain view and shared restroom access. The building is a bit dated, but the facilities were complete and very clean. West-facing rooms can get a bit hot and sunny in the afternoons in summer, requiring fans and portable air conditioners for cooling. However, at night, the mountain air is so cool that the AC is rarely needed. The staff was very friendly and attentive. While there were no restaurants nearby, the hotel offered two yakiniku and rice set meals. Upon check-out, the owner presented us with local sake and a Mt. Azumayama sticker. We can also stay here in winter, as it's very close to the ski resort, just outside of Nishi-Azumayama.

When checking in, it was very hectic, probably because there were several other guests. The staff also often ran down the corridors, and the noise could be heard all the way to the guest rooms. They didn't use carts to clear the food, so the staff were constantly moving around. It was an inn that couldn't shake the feeling of being rough. I think the retro aspects have their own charm, but when the roughness is too obvious, the retro aspects can also be seen as a negative. It was the first time in a while that I felt like there would be no next time.

I stayed here after watching it on YouTube. The Olympic bath is as long as a swimming pool. I would sneak in and swim when no one was there, and it reminded me of my childhood. The quality of the hot spring was also good. The open-air bath along the river had a great view, so I ended up soaking for a long time. The inn is old and undeniably outdated, but from another perspective, you can feel the wabi-sabi atmosphere, which was nice. The food was made with local ingredients, which was unusual and made the meal fun and delicious. I would like to make a reservation again when I visit Yonezawa.