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At Bouyourou Ryokan in Fukui, Japan, dining is more than a meal — it’s a serene sensory journey by the sea. Enjoy a full kaiseki course featuring wagyu beef, uni-topped shrimp, unagi rice, and lemon jelly, all served in a private ocean-view room. A must-experience for travelers seeking authentic Japanese culinary art and slow luxury.

Discover Bouyourou in Mikuni Onsen, Fukui—reborn in 2021 as a seven-room luxury ryokan. From Room 205’s wall-to-wall ocean view to the private spring-fed bath and serene minimalist design, this stay blends architecture, nature, and onsen culture on the dramatic Sea of Japan coast.

A serene 45-minute drive from Hanamurasaki to Bouyourou: handmade soba in Yamashiro Onsen, Seika Suda’s Kutani ware studio, and the windswept Tojinbo Cliffs.

Experience the serene morning at Hanamurasaki Ryokan in Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa, Japan. Breakfast is served at Nihon, the same dining room as dinner, but bathed in soft morning light, it reveals an entirely new atmosphere. Guests enjoy freshly prepared Japanese dishes — from steamed seasonal vegetables and grilled fish cooked over charcoal, to delicate rolled omelets and fragrant rice. This breakfast at Hanamurasaki is not just a meal, but a gentle, sensory experience that marks the beginning of a beautiful day in the mountains of Hokuriku.

Discover a full review of Hanamurasaki in Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture – one of Japan’s most refined luxury ryokan. In October 2025, we stayed in the renovated suite “Natsu no 5”, featuring modern Japanese design, a private semi-open-air hot spring bath, and a personal sauna. This article covers the check-in experience, interiors, guestroom details, and impressions of staying at this stylish onsen ryokan. Perfect for luxury travelers in their 40s, 50s, and 60s seeking an exclusive Japan hot spring getaway.

Read my detailed dining review of Daikon no Hana in Zao Onsen, Miyagi. While the ryokan remains a beautiful retreat with private open-air baths and forest surroundings, the meals fell far short of expectations. Dinner courses arrived lukewarm and uninspired, lacking refinement and careful preparation. Even the usually popular breakfast items, such as the rolled omelet, were served cold and disappointing. Compared with a previous stay under the former head chef, the current dining experience after the chef transition was a letdown. This candid review highlights the issues with both dinner and breakfast and shares why the meals significantly impacted the overall ryokan stay.

Stayed at Daikon no Hana in Zao Onsen, Miyagi, and experienced the detached villa Momiji. This detailed room review covers the warm wooden interiors, private open-air onsen bath with natural hot spring water, and the serene forest setting. Discover how the clear, skin-friendly spring water felt, what the room amenities were like, and the little details that made the stay unique—from rainy-day bathing to sunlit mornings. Perfect for travelers seeking a private onsen retreat in Japan.

My honest review of dinner and breakfast at Sekizenkan (Kasho-tei/Sanso), a historic ryokan in Shima Onsen, Gunma. The inn’s architecture and hot spring baths are breathtaking, but the dining experience fell short — dishes were beautifully presented yet lacked warmth and freshness. From the open dining hall atmosphere to the unforgettable sea bream sashimi, this review covers every detail of my stay, offering real insights for travelers seeking Japan’s traditional onsen culture.

Discover an honest review of Sekizenkan Sanso in Shima Onsen, Gunma—famous as one of the inspirations for Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. This blog covers the check-in process, Sanso’s historic architecture, the Ukonn 1 room, private hot spring bath, pros and cons, and overall guest impressions. A detailed account of what travelers can expect when staying at this registered cultural heritage ryokan.