Watarase Onsen Hotel Yamayuri
8,3/10 Excellent - Based on 119 reviews
Watarase Onsen Hotel Yamayuri sits tucked into wooded slopes beside a clear mountain stream, where a small suspension bridge marks the approach to a compact ensemble of guest wings. The hotel presents traditional Japanese accommodation alongside some Western-style options, with tatami areas, yukata provided and simple in-room amenities such as tea-making facilities and air purification. Public spaces include a rustic lobby and a restaurant with high ceilings that reflects the property’s mountain-lodge character, making it a good base for visitors planning short excursions into the Kumano area.
The property’s bathing offerings are a central feature: a large open-air source-fed bath opens to the riverside setting and multiple family-use private open-air baths are available for reservation, so guests can choose between communal bathing and secluded, booked-only experiences. These facilities are described as natural, flowing from the onsen’s source and set among seasonal vegetation, which enhances privacy and the feeling of immersion in the landscape. For travellers seeking a ryokan with onsen in the Kumano region or a ryokan with private onsen in Wakayama, the mix of large communal and reservable family baths provides flexible options.
Meals focus on local ingredients with set-course dinners and regional breakfast dishes served in the on-site restaurants; special-order items from local fisheries and ranches are offered on request. Practical services include guest parking, a weekday shuttle connection to nearby transport hubs by reservation, and basic front-desk assistance for sightseeing arrangements. The property’s scale and facilities suit travellers looking for a traditional ryokan experience with accessible bathing choices and straightforward access to the cultural routes and nature trails of the surrounding area.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Watarase Onsen Hotel Yamayuri
Positive Reviews
Excellent onsen facilities
Multiple private outdoor hot springs and nearby public onsen were repeatedly praised as clean, spacious and a highlight of the stay; guests enjoyed easy access to private baths without long waits.
Delicious traditional meals
Dinner and breakfast (when booked) are described as very tasty, generous and authentically Japanese; staff accommodated dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian meals) with care and creativity.
Helpful, welcoming staff
Staff were frequently noted as friendly, attentive and helpful—providing warm welcomes, excellent service, shuttle assistance and support in unexpected situations.
Peaceful natural setting and convenient transport links
Guests appreciated the riverside/nature setting that felt remote yet central enough for practical needs; the hotel is close to bus stops and offers a shuttle to Kumano Hongu Taisha/tourist information, which is useful for Kumano Kodo hikers.
Traditional Japanese-style rooms and cleanliness
Many reviewers liked the washitsu rooms with tatami, found rooms comfortable and clean, and enjoyed the traditional atmosphere and available yukata/slippers for onsen use.
Negative Reviews
Dated facilities and decor
Numerous reviews mention that the property is old-fashioned or showing its age (some describing a 1980s feel); several guests suggested the hotel needs renovation or refreshed decor and equipment.
Price versus condition
Some guests felt the rates, particularly for half-board, were high given the hotel's dated condition, calling the price excessive for what is offered.
Dining booking and communication issues
Multiple guests reported that dinner/breakfast are not automatically included and must be reserved in advance; lack of clear communication led to fully booked restaurant meals on arrival and inconvenience for early plans.
Remote location and limited local services
While scenic, the hotel is somewhat remote: public transport access can be difficult, nearby restaurants close early or are scarce, and guests noted limited options in the immediate area.
Room amenity concerns and minor comfort issues
Smaller complaints included no in-room showers for some room types, occasionally poor sheet quality, and private onsen temperatures being too hot for some guests—suggesting better signage or temperature variety would help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types range from twin rooms for two to Japanese-style rooms with up to four futons and family rooms that can sleep around 4–6 people; exact capacity is shown per room type when booking.
The Watarase onsen area includes large communal outdoor hot-spring baths and several private baths adjacent to the hotel, plus indoor bathing options for guests.
Private baths are available and commonly used by guests; availability and access are handled at the hotel reception, so request or reserve one at check‑in.
The hotel lists a shuttle service and the Watarase Onsen stop is served by regular buses from Kii‑Tanabe and Shingu stations; contact the hotel in advance to arrange shuttle pickup if needed.
The nearest airport is Nanki‑Shirahama; typical routes combine a flight or rail to Kii‑Tanabe or Shingu followed by a local bus or hotel shuttle/taxi to Watarase Onsen—confirm connections with the hotel before travel.
Staff primarily speak Japanese and provide basic English assistance; notify the hotel ahead if you need extra language support.
Meals are traditional Japanese style, served in the dining room with local ingredients; dinner is typically a set multi-course meal and breakfast is offered each morning—inform the hotel of dietary needs in advance.
The onsen area is rural with limited on-site shops and a riverside restaurant; for supermarkets or larger stores you will generally need to travel to nearby Hongu or Tanabe by bus or taxi.
Check‑in is generally in the mid‑afternoon (around 14:00–18:00) and check‑out is by late morning (around 11:00); if you expect to arrive late, notify the hotel in advance.
The property accommodates pets via a dedicated pet house with prior reservation required; contact the hotel before booking to confirm pet arrangements and any restrictions.