Enraku

I like the private outdoor hot spring very much. The room is very nice.

We spent two nights here and could not fault the service from the moment we arrived when our car was whisked away and valet parked to all of the delightful lotions, potions and traditional Japanese clothing provided in our room. We had a large room with beautiful tatami mats throughout - the smell is magical - and everything was scrupulously clean. The entire ‘superior’ room included an entrance hall with fridge and tea-making facilities and some storage, a large main traditional room where our meals were served, a sitting room with western chairs and huge windows out onto the river, a western style bedroom with two double beds, and by Japanese standards a very large bathroom area with two wash basins and even two toilets. The food was amazing/incredible and we were provided with lots of diversity over the four meals we had - one of us even sneaked an omelette and toast into breakfast on our last day just by a quick question to our server. We were helped with our luggage, provided with advice on how to deal with the Kurobe Gorge Train and all in all had a wonderful experience. The one downside is that this is not a very pretty place to stay, all the ryokans here are concrete monoliths which is not unusual in Japanese onsen towns. The town itself is quaint but the draw is definitely the gorge and the hot waters which are very well worth the visit.