Ryokan Hozanso in Beppu

The good hot spring with a kind Okami (Lady Owner)..... must try.

The room was clean and nice, but it was too dry. The breakfast was very delicious Japanese food, and different foods were served for 3 days, so I could eat a variety of foods.

Good location, great onsen. It's a pity we couldn't try breakfast and dinner, there was no such option when booking, and we couldn't order it on the spot. There's a delicious cafe for breakfast nearby. We liked everything!

The room is equipped with an open-air hot spring ♨️, overlooking the Oita city view; the staff (including cats) provide excellent service. The hotel is located on a mountain, which is a little inconvenient, but overall it is worth staying again.

There was an open-air bath in the room, and it was great to be able to use it 24 hours a day.

ONSEN review: entrance ¥400 for the public onsen, ¥1300 for the private for 2 people 1 hour. Shampoos provided, you need to bring your own towel. Beppu onsen stamp at the reception. Operating hours for non guests 10:00 - 15:00.

I used the private onsen for 2 people. There are more onsen facilities like an outdoor private onsen for 2-3 people and private bedrock bath with different prices.

Private onsen was on the opposite building of the reception. You will be given a key to unlock it which you need to return after you finish. Retro traditional style with no changing room, as soon as you enter you are in the bathing area. A small piece of wood on the floor and two baskets for your clothes is the changing place. You will also be given a basket with a hair-dryer to use later and a towel to place on the wooden box for your feet.

There is a shower head with a stool next to the tub to wash up yourself or you use the water straight from the onsen. Be careful not to splash water at the changing corner. The floor is made of big stone tiles, the walls are mostly made of wood. The tub is small size, square shape, made of wood. The water is transparent and gives a nice feeling on your skin. Measured the water temperature flowing in and it was 90.2°C, of course you can add cold water to cool down the tub. Even though the whole area is small there is a big window which allows plenty of natural light. The facilities were well maintained, clean and had a nice retro feeling.

If you want to use the hair-dryer you use the plug in the common area for the other onsen, on your way to the reception to return the key, don't forget to lock again before you go. The reception staff was very friendly and there are two cute cats going around!

Alkaline spring, source temperature 97.9°C, pH 9, metasilicic acid 274mg, gensen kakenagashi.