Four-Star Hotels in Minakami

Lovely spacious rooms, helpful kind staff, Meals were well prepared and the afternoon tea on check in was a lovely touch. View from room and outdoor bath was stunning, so special. Staff very helpful when we needed extra help to contact local onsen, they were so kind and called ahead for us so we could keep our booking on very short notice.

Rarely write reviews but the experience at Minakami Sansou highly exceeded our expectations. The hospitality was excellent, the rooms clean and beautiful, the hot spring was perfect, and on top of that the food was also well proportioned and delicious. Would stay here again next time we come to Minakami.

Memorable experience. Very charming Ryokan with a long >100 year history but well maintained, and spotlessly clean. The room was amazing with a great view of the mountain opposite and the river below. The in-room onsen was definitely the highlight. Alot of effort and attention to detail went into guest comfort and satisfaction. The Kaiseki dinner was amazing, beautifully presented and overwhelming in the number of courses served. Similar for breakfast. And to ensure no guest went hungry, delicious desserts were served for tea, and inari sushi for supper. Heavy snowfall transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland, which was truly a sight to behold. Compliments to Ms Suta and her team.

Views, golf course, peaceful, onsen

The Onsen experience, a truely authentic Japanese experience

Everything, the staff was very friendly, professional and helpful. Japanes breakfast and diner were awesome. The private onsen was great. First time stay in a Ryokan and I will definitely do it again next time in Japan, hopefully in Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan 🙏

It was the most perfect stay I've had in my life. Will definitely come again. The beauty of the room itself and of the view exceeded all expectations. The service was exceptional. I've spent hours in my private onsen and relaxed after Tokyo.

Loved everything about it. It was an experience as soon as you entered the front door

Where do I even start — this was our favourite stay in Japan! We originally booked for two nights but ended up extending our stay after a typhoon warning was issued for our next destination. The staff were incredibly accommodating, helping us weigh our options and moving us into another available room for the extra nights, ensuring that breakfast and dinner were included. Our host, Hinata, was absolutely wonderful. She spoke clear English and went over every detail of our stay — from cleaning times to meal preferences — with such care and professionalism. She was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely made us feel at home. The rooms are incredibly spacious, with soft, cosy beds, including a TV with Netflix and Disney! Making it easy to spend the day inside doing nothing! The food was exceptional — comparable to a fine Australian degustation that would easily cost hundreds back home. One night, we were even treated to dinner at their sister restaurant down the road, where we enjoyed delicious Wagyu steak, complete with pick-up and drop-off service. There were also snacks and alcoholic drinks available for purchase, plus a daily happy hour from 2–5pm. The private onsens, both in-room and in the public facility, were perfect for unwinding — with free Yakult on hand as a thoughtful touch. They also offered complimentary pick-up and drop-off at the local bus stop for both arrival and departure, which made everything so seamless. It was the perfect escape from the bustle of Tokyo — relaxing, memorable, and truly special. I can’t wait to return!