Rakuyo

It was average, the check-in service felt clumsy and chaotic with semi-self service. At the same time the front desk staff (at least 3 people who I interacted with during my stay) who were lovely and trying to welcome us, did not speak english at all, considering the majority of the clientele were not Japanese. The room itself was clean but small, and the breakfast (2600 yen or so) is very heavily seafood based i.e. oysters cooked in fish broth, grilled salmon, prawns, seaweed with some other fish flakes, dried plum, spicy miso paste. If you have a western palate that may be too intense for breakfast. I also stayed in another hotel significantly cheaper with nicer room amenities in the city with incredible free breakfast so unless you really want to use their small but busy onsen which requires additional payment for tattoo stickers, or you really like their location, then I would consider going elsewhere.

Unfortunately, our original machyia had a problem with the heating system so the company arranged for us to stay in two alternative properties which were rather different in location and amenities. Their communication was excellent however and they looked after transferring our luggage and the price remained the same even though they had suggested we'd received an “upgrade.” Both properties worked out fine though the latter one had an unusual layout that was clearly designed for clients keen on having a communal Onsen experience.

It is conveniently located and well-organized.