Kaikake Onsen Ryokan

A 20-minute drive from Echigo-Yuzawa Station takes you back in time to the eye-watering hot springs known since the Muromachi period. No, the air-conditioned rooms have beds and Wi-Fi, and the rooms are beautiful, and at night you can see the stars through the polished windows. The lukewarm water at the source is furnished so that you can immerse yourself in it all summer. I was completely healed by the hot springs that I say are good for the eyes and the porridge of Koshihikari brown rice

This is my third visit. This time, I visited with my high school friend and former teacher. This is a historic onsen inn certified by the Japan Hidden Hot Springs Association. The hot spring is a good place to start the summer because it is 100% freshly poured and mildly alkaline. It is also said to be good for eye diseases such as cataracts and dry eyes. A new detached building was built, so I tried using it, but the atmosphere was very good with a stream running by. There was an ice pot in the room. The food was mainly rural and delicious. After breakfast, coffee is self-service. It’s been a long time since the three of us talked about old times and had a very meaningful time!

The staff were all young men, energetic and always smiling, which was wonderful. The old building has been renovated to be easy to use, while retaining its good points, and it is clean and well-cleaned. The view from the window was like a picture in a picture frame. (I think this is because the window is well-cleaned.) I stayed in a corner room called Katsuzawagawa on the 2nd floor of the entrance building. It was a room with a great view, the heating was just right, and the veranda was covered with tatami mats, so my feet didn't feel cold. It was a Japanese-style bed, but it was light so I was able to move it myself. The room was equipped with everything you need, including an ice water pot, a tea pot, and a basket to use when going to the bath. There was paper in the sink and disinfectant spray in the toilet. It was a comfortable room where I could stay with peace of mind. The free Wi-Fi worked without any problems. There was coffee service near the entrance only in the morning. There are old exhibits (items related to Kenshin, rice sacks, rice plants, old furniture, etc.) in the corridors and various places, which is very tasteful. I thought it was unusual that there were no newspapers. The floor of the bathroom changing room was warm, and I thought it was just right for lukewarm water. I thought the warm water might be a little cold in November, but most of the guests stayed in the warm water for a long time instead of the hot water. I thought it might not be enough for my husband, who likes it hot, but he seemed to like it very much and stayed in for nearly an hour. The portions were just right, and although not extravagant, it was well-balanced and healthy. We were lucky because it was the beginning of the new Uonuma Koshihikari rice harvest season. We stayed for two nights, but we could eat lunch in the restaurant where we had breakfast and dinner. We had warm soba noodles with mushrooms. It's a very steep, curvy slope from the bus stop, so it may be difficult to walk if you have a suitcase. The shuttle bus requires a reservation. I had been wanting to stay at this inn ever since the coronavirus pandemic, and it was a wonderful place to relax. Thank you so much to all the staff.