FELIZ ARIFUKU ONSEN

Coming from the foot of the mountain, I was directed to OWL RESORT on the opposite bank. Be careful, as the hotel isn't located at the top of the hill, but is located after crossing the bridge and turning left. Passing is difficult once you reach the turn, so please be considerate. I read a review that said the parking lot was confusing, but when I visited, there was a lane in front of the hotel and I was able to park without any problems. The process is quicker if you enter the names, birthdates, addresses, etc. of all guests using the link you receive in advance via email to generate a QR code. Check-in is complete once you take a photo of everyone on the tablet at the first-floor counter. (By the way, the tablet was the nostalgic type with a home button.) Reviews said that all rooms except 103, 203, and 303 have an outside bath, so I booked 203. The room had an unusual layout, with a dirt-floored living room leading through the door (see photo). No coin laundry or vending machines. There was a microwave in the lobby. I brought some insecticide just in case, but luckily, all I got was a white flying insect stuck to the glass. I would have liked a side table for the sofa or a table other than the round one, but I moved the round table to the front of the raised area, so even with four people, some could sit on the raised area and others could sit on the sofa. The hot spring has what appears to be a temperature control dial, but it doesn't actually adjust the temperature. It's the typical in-room bath, where the water volume is controlled by a 0-300L dial or by turning it on and off. The clear, colorless water didn't have any special bathing sensation, but it felt sticky on my hands when I got in. This coating seems to have a beauty-enhancing effect on the skin when I got out. My skin felt smooth after bathing. The room was spacious, but the TV was small. When I stayed there, Netflix was also available (although it's possible that the previous guest left their paid account logged in). The terms and conditions stated that check-out was free, but that a notice was required via LINE, but I didn't receive a response, so that may not be necessary. If you are coming from or heading towards Asahi Interchange, please be careful when driving as you will have to pass through some very narrow roads.

This is a new hotel that opened in May of this year. Check-in and other procedures were done by myself using a tablet as soon as I entered. The interior was beautiful and spacious, and the air conditioning was good, so the room heated up quickly and was comfortable. You could watch YouTube on the TV, and there was an LED ring light so you could take great photos, which seemed to be considerate of young people. The main hot spring was really great. Since it's private, you can soak at any temperature for as long as you like, and the water flows freely. It left my skin glowing. The shampoo and other products had a lovely scent. For dinner, we went to nearby Arifuku Bianco when it was time and enjoyed a delicious set course meal. The only downside is that the walls and floors are thin, probably because the building was renovated from an old one. I could hear the TV next door, the sound of heels, and the sounds of children running around...it was a bit sleep-deprived. If it weren't for these issues, the room, hot spring, and dinner were all very good, so I'd give it a minus 1 star.

Checking in can be difficult, even for those used to using smartphones. The parking lot's sections weren't clearly defined, and I couldn't contact the facility to confirm. When I entered the room, there was a strange smell... I'm not sure if it was mold or wallpaper glue, but it made me feel sick. The wallpaper was peeling in many places, to the point that I wondered if they'd put it up themselves. I could see black mold in places. It's hard to believe it's only been open for just over a year. In terms of facilities, there was hair in the bathroom even before it had been used, and when I lay down in bed, I could see the air conditioner, but the filter was covered in dust. It didn't look like it had been well-maintained. There was a water-catching elephant, but it was full of water. The bed was also damaged by humidity. Also, this was a problem specific to the room I stayed in: it was completely visible from the outside, so I couldn't stay there unless I closed the blinds all the way.

This hotel has problems from the moment of booking. I booked through Booking.com, but the booking confirmation didn't appear due to a problem. I couldn't cancel through the website, and the only way to contact the hotel was via Line. Even after requesting cancellation via Line, the response was slow, and when I finally received a reply, I was told to cancel it myself. Frustrated, I desperately searched for their phone number and called, only to be told again to cancel it myself. I explained the situation and they somehow managed to process the cancellation, but I still don't know if it was actually cancelled. It's truly awful. I recommend that anyone considering booking this hotel be prepared for this kind of problem.

We stayed overnight as a couple on a holiday. Check-in was self-service at the unmanned counter. The room was spacious and clean. The cypress bathtub had unlimited access to the hot spring water, which was directly from the source. It was the best day ever. However, there are very few restaurants around the inn, so I recommend doing some groceries at a supermarket in Hamada City beforehand. It would be more convenient if they displayed check-out instructions. (Although it was fine to just leave the room by check-out time.)