御母手成志之宿荻原館

When I arrived, I was greeted by a lady in kimono. And my name was displayed at a board next to the hotel entrance. I really felt honored. The building is a little bit older and you can see it here and there. I had a traditional tatami room that was quiet big for japanese standards. I had my own bathroom. The room was clean. I didn't ordered dinner, because of my travel schedule. But don't miss it. The hotel provides kaiseki style dinner. The hotel provides an indoor bath and an small rotenburo on the roof with a view to the mountain next to the ctiy. There is nothing special to describe. At an onsen there is only one thing that counts: How much you can relax. And the onsen at the Ogiwarakan fulfilled this purpose perfectly. Sum up: Even if the building is not a traditional japanese building made from wood, the hotel is a place where you can feel the traditional hospitality of an onsen hotel.

The lovely couple who own this ryokan onsen and their staff were exceptionally welcoming and friendly. We were the first English couple they'd had to stay! The supper and breakfast were both feasts, beautifully presented, and the communal bathing facilities were excellent.

This is a traditional onsen hotel. As a result all the rooms and processes are traditional Japanese. The hot spring baths are excellent and the staff, despite limited English speaking skills, are attentive and very helpful. Best rail access is from Togura station. Get the express train from Tokyo station to Ueda and change for local train to Togura. Then take cab - 5 mins.