KAMENOI HOTEL Kitsuregawa
7,7/10 Very good - Based on 75 reviews
KAMENOI HOTEL Kitsuregawa sits amid wooded hills on the edge of Kitsuregawa, offering framed views toward the Nikko range and Nasu. The property centers on its hot-spring facilities: a high-ceilinged communal bath and a rustic open-air onsen fed by the local Kitsuregawa springs, promoted locally as one of Japan’s three major hot springs for beautiful skin. For visitors seeking a ryokan with onsen Tochigi, the emphasis is on restorative soaking and seasonal scenery rather than urban nightlife. The communal bath's high-ceiling design and separate open-air pool aim to create a sense of space and light.
Guest accommodation ranges from traditional tatami Japanese rooms to twin and Japanese‑Western layouts; many room types include ensuite baths and some feature private or open-air bathing. Pet-friendly rooms are available and the hotel also lists barrier-free options with accessible baths. Rooms are non-smoking, offer complimentary Wi‑Fi and basic in-room tea kettle, slippers and toiletries, while larger family configurations with multiple futons are offered for groups. Front-desk services include luggage storage and multilingual staff on certain shifts to assist with local arrangements.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: KAMENOI HOTEL Kitsuregawa
Positive Reviews
High-quality onsen
Multiple guests praised the onsen as large, relaxing and well maintained — described as one of the best, very clean and a highlight of the stay.
Excellent food—breakfast and dinner
Breakfast (often a buffet) received frequent compliments for taste and variety; dinner was also noted as first-class or using seasonal ingredients.
Friendly, helpful staff
Staff were repeatedly described as attentive and kind, accommodating late arrivals, providing extra bedding when needed and offering good service including by foreign staff.
Clean, comfortable and spacious rooms
Despite the hotel's age, many guests found rooms to be spacious, well cleaned and comfortable, with private baths in some room types.
Peaceful location with pet-friendly features
Guests appreciated the quiet, natural setting and walking areas; pet-specific routes and flooring/layout made stays with dogs easier, and vending machines were convenient where local shops were distant.
Negative Reviews
Aged facilities and dated building
Several reviewers noted the property feels older (1970s–80s style) and some facilities showed wear; a few guests mentioned broken or out-of-service equipment and the overall vintage feel.
Localized cleanliness issues
A minority of guests reported hygiene concerns such as mold on bath buckets, hair on bedside surfaces and dirty washbasins or window glass in some areas.
Dining limitations and portion concerns
Guests warned that if you don’t reserve dinner there may be no onsite dining options; others felt some dinners had excessive courses or quantities that were hard to finish.
Onsen and toilet drawbacks
A few guests noticed a slight chlorine smell in the hot-spring area, and some shared toilets (on certain floors) were traditional squat-style, which surprised or inconvenienced some visitors.
Access, climate control and booking/value issues
Comments included a distant bus stop, occasional poor air-conditioning/heating (hotel feeling hot/dry), and frustration that some booking channels/prices (e.g. non‑refundable rates) felt expensive compared with other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types range from twin and double rooms for two guests to Japanese-style rooms with futons that sleep up to 4–5 adults (10-tatami room). Family and pet rooms are also available; cribs and extra beds are not provided.
The ryokan offers a large indoor hot-spring bath and an open-air (rotenburo) bath fed by Kitsuregawa Onsen, known locally for its skin benefits; public bathing areas are shared by guests.
Some room types include private baths or a private open-air bath in the room; most hot-spring facilities are communal, so check your room type when booking or contact the property for private options.
Yes — a complimentary shuttle runs from Ujiie Station (JR Tohoku Main Line), taking roughly 20 minutes; you should inform the hotel of your expected arrival time in advance.
The closest regional airport listed is Fukushima Airport (about 58 miles / 94 km); typical access is by rail or car to Ujiie Station followed by the hotel shuttle — plan connections ahead of travel.
The hotel website and materials are available in English, but on-site staff are primarily Japanese; English assistance may be limited, so contact the property if you need specific language help.
Dining highlights include kaiseki-style dinners using seasonal Tochigi ingredients and a buffet-style breakfast served in the hotel restaurant; local sake and regional specialties are offered.
The hotel is convenient for day trips to Nikko and the Nasu Highlands and offers local sights such as Kitsuregawa Shrine and nearby parks; the property also provides sightseeing information and an observation deck with mountain views.
Standard check-in begins at 15:00 (3:00 PM) and check-out is by 10:00 AM; the property asks guests to notify their expected arrival time, especially if using the shuttle.
Pet-friendly rooms exist (book the designated pet room and notify the hotel in advance); the hotel also has an on-site shop selling souvenirs and basic items, while larger supermarkets or convenience stores are located in the nearby town.