Okawa Valley
Tranquil hot spring inn with private open-air baths, offering stunning valley views and exquisite buffet dining.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Peak autumn leaves
Okawa Valley
Best Time
Peak autumn leaves
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Tranquil hot spring inn with private open-air baths, offering stunning valley views and exquisite buffet dining.
"The private onsen and valley views offer a truly relaxing and beautiful escape."
🌡️ Adjust Onsen Temp
Control your private onsen water temp on the terrace. It can be too hot initially! :thermometer:
👃 Room Smell Solutions
Some rooms have odd smells. Air them out or use room spray if needed. :spray:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Private Open-Air Baths
In-room
Soak in your own onsen with breathtaking valley and river views. Pure relaxation.
Valley & River Views
Room balconies/terraces
Wake up to serene vistas of moody mountains and a gorgeous river. Unforgettable scenery.
Dinner Buffet Spectacle
Restaurant
An impressive spread with plenty of choices, including delicious local pork. A culinary delight.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Onsen Experience
Room Smells & AC Quirks
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🌡️ Adjust Onsen Temp
Control your private onsen water temp on the terrace. It can be too hot initially! :thermometer:
👃 Room Smell Solutions
Some rooms have odd smells. Air them out or use room spray if needed. :spray:
🛏️ Futon Confusion
Ensure your futon setup is correct for the number of guests. :sleeping_accommodation:
☕ Early Coffee
Coffee is only available at 7:30 AM. Plan accordingly if you're an early riser. :coffee:
Tips
from all over the internet
🌡️ Adjust Onsen Temp
Control your private onsen water temp on the terrace. It can be too hot initially! :thermometer:
👃 Room Smell Solutions
Some rooms have odd smells. Air them out or use room spray if needed. :spray:
🛏️ Futon Confusion
Ensure your futon setup is correct for the number of guests. :sleeping_accommodation:
☕ Early Coffee
Coffee is only available at 7:30 AM. Plan accordingly if you're an early riser. :coffee:
🚗 Shuttle Service
A shuttle bus is available from the nearest train station. :bus:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Guests praise Okawa Valley for its stunning valley views and the luxurious private onsen baths, offering a deeply relaxing experience. The impressive dinner buffets are a highlight, featuring a wide variety of delicious local dishes. However, some visitors noted peculiar room smells and noisy air conditioning, which can detract from the overall comfort.
"My experience wasn't the best, the hotel itself seemed really nice, luxurious and all. Our room was big and the view was stunning. But the smell in the room was awful, like old seafood, and the room next to it also. Plus the air-conditioning is like 20years old so super noisy at night."
Koly8
"Great choice if you’re looking to travel to Tsaruga Castle, beautiful view of the moody mountains and gorgeous river. 7-11 a short ten minute walk from the hotel. Rooms are spacious but there was an off-putting wood chip smell in the room (found room spray in the closet at the end of our stay). They thought only one person was staying in the room so there was confusion about setting up another futon, luckily I was able to find a front desk man who spoke some English. Room service came at 7pm the next day to change the sheets, strange time do so, especially when unwanted. Coffee is also weak and only available at 7:30am which is inconvenient if you’re an early riser (or jet lagged). That being said it was a great stay in a Japanese hotel. I was comparing it to my first experience in traditional Japanese lodging (Hotel Tsuganoki) which was totally perfect and maybe an unfair comparison."
Nicholas Carey
"The room with private onsen with the beautiful view of the valley and the river, delicious dinner buffet
Stay here twice in the middle of November 2023 (post peak of autume leaves) and in early November 2024 (1 week before the peak of autumn leaves) with the first one is the western room with private wood onsen , the room is spacious the bed is nice with the beautiful view. The second time I decide to go for a japanese room on the annex with the large terrace with private onsen and mini size japanese garden on the lower floor of the annex. This one is highly recommend the onsen and the view from the room is very beautiful. The temperature of the water in the onsen can be changed by the control at the terrace I sadly know this on the second time as the temperature of the water when we first entered the room is always too hot to handle. Wish there is a sign for the temperature button. The private onsen in the room has more beautiful view than other public onsen in the hotel. The second time I go for buffet dinner which is very nice. Plenty of choices and the local pork is very good. Plenty spaces for car park and also can be easily reached by bus (also they have shuttle bus which I never use) Very recommend for people who love relaxation among beautiful nature."
Aom Husky
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Okawa Valley is accessible by bus from the nearest train station. The hotel also offers a shuttle bus service, which many guests find convenient. Driving is also an option, with ample parking available.
Yes, there is plenty of car parking space available for guests arriving by car.
Absolutely! Okawa Valley is easily reachable by bus, and the hotel provides a shuttle service from the nearest train station for added convenience.
The best way depends on your starting point. Public transport via bus with the hotel's shuttle is popular, or driving offers flexibility with ample parking.
While specific directions vary, using a GPS with the hotel's address is recommended. Ample parking is available upon arrival.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
It is highly recommended to book your rooms in advance, especially if you plan to visit during peak seasons like autumn leaves.
Check-in and check-out times can vary. It's best to confirm these details directly with the hotel when booking or upon arrival.
Yes, Okawa Valley offers various room types, including Western-style rooms with private wood onsen and Japanese-style rooms on the annex with large terraces and private onsen.
Okawa Valley is a hot spring inn, so there isn't a general entrance fee. You pay for your accommodation, which often includes access to onsen facilities.
Yes, many rooms at Okawa Valley come with private open-air baths (onsen), offering a more exclusive and relaxing experience.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Many guests highly recommend the Japanese rooms on the annex with a large terrace and private onsen, citing the beautiful views and relaxing atmosphere.
Guests rave about the private onsen baths, especially those with beautiful views from the room's terrace. The ability to control water temperature is a plus.
While private onsen are highly praised, some guests found the public baths to be good enough, though less scenic than the private ones.
Okawa Valley is close to Tsaruga Castle, offering beautiful views of the mountains and river. A 7-Eleven is also a short walk away.
Information on Wi-Fi availability and speed is not extensively detailed in reviews, but it's advisable to check with the hotel directly if it's a priority.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Okawa Valley offers impressive buffet-style dinners and breakfasts with a wide variety of choices. Local specialties, like the pork, are highly recommended.
Yes, the dinner buffet is described as a 'spectacle' with plenty of choices and very good quality, especially the local pork.
While the buffet is a highlight, the description mentions 2 restaurants, suggesting other dining possibilities might exist, though the buffet is most frequently praised.
Breakfast is available starting at 7:30 AM. Coffee is also served at this time.
Room service is available, with one guest noting sheets were changed at 7 PM. It's advisable to confirm availability and timing with the hotel.
📸 📸 Photography
The most photogenic spots are undoubtedly the rooms with private onsen offering stunning valley and river views. The surrounding natural landscape is also beautiful.
Capturing the private onsen with its scenic backdrop is a highlight for many visitors. The natural light and views make for great shots.
Early mornings or late afternoons can offer beautiful lighting for the valley views. Golden hour can be particularly magical.
No specific restrictions are mentioned, but always be mindful of other guests' privacy when taking photos, especially in shared areas.
Yes, the buffet is visually appealing, and guests often share photos of the spread.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider booking a room with a private onsen for added convenience and privacy with children. While the hotel is generally accommodating, it's always a good idea to confirm any specific family-friendly amenities or services when booking. The proximity to Tsaruga Castle also offers a potential outing for families interested in local history and scenic views.
💰 Budget Travelers
To make it more budget-friendly, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (like mid-November after the peak autumn leaves) when prices might be lower. Opting for rooms without private onsen, if available, could also reduce costs, though the private onsen is a major draw. Utilizing the shuttle bus service instead of private transport can also save money on getting to and from the hotel.
💖 Couples Seeking Romance
Enjoying the spectacular dinner buffet together is another highlight, offering a chance to savor delicious local cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. For an even more exclusive experience, consider booking a suite or a room with a large terrace and private onsen, ensuring privacy and unparalleled views for a truly memorable romantic escape.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Allure of the Onsen
For those seeking the ultimate relaxation, opting for a room with a private onsen is highly recommended. The Japanese-style rooms on the annex, in particular, are praised for their large terraces that house these private baths, offering an even more immersive connection with nature. Remember to check the temperature controls upon arrival, as the water can sometimes be too hot initially.
Culinary Delights: The Buffet Experience
While the buffet is the star, the hotel does mention having two restaurants, hinting at other potential dining experiences. However, the overwhelming positive feedback centers on the buffet's variety and quality. For early risers, note that coffee is available from 7:30 AM, which might be a consideration for those accustomed to earlier caffeine fixes.
Navigating Room Comforts and Quirks
To mitigate these issues, guests have found success by airing out the rooms upon arrival or using room spray. It's also wise to confirm the setup for amenities like futons to avoid any confusion regarding the number of guests. Despite these minor drawbacks, the spaciousness of the rooms and the beautiful views often outweigh these concerns for many visitors.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit