Ryokans in Hongu

The onsen hot spring next to the river was awesome. The water was a bit on the hot side, but changing to the river to cool down created a nice rhythm.

Absolutely authentic ryokan and hot spring experience.

While Matsuya has basic amenities and facilities, the good thing about it is that guests are allowed to use the onsen at its sister hotel, Midoriya which is just a 3-4min walk away. The Midoriya has pretty decent facilities from massage chairs to a bigger onsen, outdoor bathing area, laundry room etc. The view from the room was pretty decent and the futon beds were comfortable but there is not much floor space for large luggage. It should be ok if you're hiking and making this a pit stop.

Large tatami room overlooking the river. Welcome onsen after two days on the Kumamo Kodo. The staff were excellent and went out of their way to look after my companion who had twisted his ankle.

One of Top Hotel during our trip in Japan! We got an authentic room with tatami, with amazing river view. Onsen inside are classic Japanese, but the one outside are really amazing, carved into the rocks, few meters from the river, the calmness, the falcons, the forest just as into a movie...Dinner and breakfast super extended, maybe even too much you don't know where to begin and where to end. Staff also super friendly. So, surely a recommendation for 3/4 days even more!

Rooms were spacious, clean and futons were comfortable. Both the buffet breakfast and dinner were pretty good as well with a decent variety and rotation of the dishes over the 2N that we stayed. However the outside onsen that was right next to the river with a wide open view of a mountain forest oppsite the hotel was the highlight, cover ups were provided for the mixed gender outdoor onsen, so me and my partner could enjoy an onsen together for the first time!

This ryokan is very nicely located on a river bank, across from a mature forest. Offering a view to admire is very Japanese, and so, its onsen extends on the river bank. This is where it gets messy : read below.

The meals were amazing - beautifully prepared and presented. So much thought went into them and they were delivered by a lovely Japanese host. The beds were on tatami mats with hard pillows .....something that you expect in a Japanese Ryokan.