This was one of our favorite stays in Japan! It was such a unique experience and one we'll never forget. You stay in your own private "house" on the property with access to their Onsen. The property is so carefully curated--the garden grounds alone are worth the visit. The service was perfect--they were warm, attentive, and went above and beyond. The food was exceptional. We had a few traditional meals before our stay here, and this one definitely felt the most special. (At one point during the meal, I asked about a chestnut that was served because I was curious about how it was cooked. It was a small accent on the plate, not a main part of the course, and when I asked about it, I learned that it took 4 days to prepare!) The house was clean and well-kept, but it is a special historical property. In a way, it felt a little like "glamping" but I only say that to try and mentally prepare guests for a "non-typical" hotel experience. It is definitely a top-notch stay! The area is so special as well. We felt it was the perfect balance to some of our city experiences. We only had a full day in the area (which was worth it) but we also could have spent two. If you can, I highly recommend the hike/walk from Magome to Tsumago. It was much more stunning than the brochures could describe and stays beautiful the entire way. It's not difficult, just long!
