Hotel Itamuro in Nasushiobara

Highly recommend!
We spent 2 nights and it was perfectly worth it. Truly crafted and thoughtfully artistic ryokan.

On our second day, we had breakfast in the room before heading out to Suga museum (a Contemporary Japanese Artist) the stroll back after museum by the river was delightful. Later at 2 pm, we headed to the onsen to avoid other guests, and it was perfect timing as they were cleaning until 2 pm. To top it off, we had udon in the garden, with lovely views of Sakura trees and the serene river.

Ryokan full of art and nature. ❤️ Itamuro Onsen Daikokuya combines the joys of relaxing hot baths, delicious ryokan eats, and thoughtful art.

The personal tour by the owner who is an avid art collector and supporter of Kishio Suga (artist who’s shown at the Tate, MoMA, Guggenheim, and in Milan) was definitely a highlight. He took us over to the warehouse gallery only available to guests who stay overnight.
Suga’s work starts with a word and he adds the material to it later. He showed us the words written on the backs of the pieces.
He also explained how Suga’s art in the ryokan yard was based off of Kukai’s six elements, focusing on the things the naked eye cannot see: wind/air, space, and consciousness.

Back at the ryokan, I loved all the creative fun touches that let you do you. There is an outdoor fireplace where you can pour your own cup of tea, and a flower arrangement area where you can pick your own vase and cut your own flower to bring back to your room as you please. At night there is a hotaru tour along the river to see the little lightening bugs do their nighttime soirée. Meals were brought to our rooms and everything was very covid-friendly.

A valuable hot spring inn that accepts one person during the busy season at the end of the year.
Although it was a single room, it was a spacious and comfortable room with good sunlight.
The furniture was a wonderful piece of craftsman, and the table was filled with seasonal flowers.
There seems to be a service where you can choose your favorite vase and flowers and use them yourself and take them back to your room.

The bath is warm water at 40 degrees Celsius, so you can relax for a long time. There are three types: a large indoor bath called Taiyo-no-Yu, an open-air bath, a small indoor bath called Hinoki-no-Yu, and a bass sauna.
Since the sauna has a capacity of 4 people, it may not be possible to use it during busy hours.
After taking a bath, I sweated in the sauna for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and when I took another bath at the end, my skin became smooth.

It was comfortable and relaxing because it was a customer service that made me feel relaxed.
I was able to spend a luxurious time reading books without looking at my smartphone.
I want to bother you in another season.

Great ryokan. Good room size. Dinner was good and the location in nature is amazing
Can take it real easy while there

Art themed, well designed Japanese ryokan. We arrived in deep snow, and the snowed view was simply amazing. Front desk called me 1day before arriving just to make sure my arrival in bad weather. I went by car so that was so helpful. They also had a few options like picking us up at roadside station.

Outdoor onsen and sauna were both relaxing. There is pottery gallery annex. Fireplace is in the yard which looks better without rain or snow. Food is good.

The view is really fantastic especially in Autumn. They served us free champagne as a happy birthday present and we are lucky to watch the making of rice cake in the morning. We got served for free! it was fantastic experience....