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This is the third onsen hotel I have the pleasure to visit and all in all that one was the best, although there were several of small things I’ve seen done or thought of better. The hotel staff is very good: professional and helpful, one can experience full Japanese hospitality one should expect in such a place. Among the staff there are people speaking very good English - not typical in such establishment. The hotel location is in the middle of nowhere but this is all right really as all you need the hotel provides. You can just enjoy the hot springs fully there. I had injured my legs earlier so was not very keen to stroll around but previous research showed for a day or two you can find there some nice routes. Access from the station can’t be easier either. Rooms are slightly ran down but not over the level I’m used to within this price range. They are clean enough and spacious (Japanese room for two). Ours had nice mountain view (with train tracks in the foreground but I liked it), our friends got similar (but with road instead so they were less happy). Selection of complimentary tea snacks was great every day. The onsen took me a little by surprise. First of all they have two open baths (rotenburos) of which one is nicer (arrangement, plants surrounding, bath sizes). One is for men, the other for women but they alternate them every morning (so they say, during our stay it seemed to be every two mornings) so if you stay long enough you will experience both. For such a big hotel they both should just be bigger really. There was no crowd but sometimes it was close to it. But the really surprising thing was there seems to be no rule there against tattoos. Not in written, not in pictograms or other signs. We actually met a Japanese grandpa one evening there with full back tattoo. Now I’m not strongly against it really but this is kinda strange if you are familiar with onsen etiquette. The hotel has also its own foot bath on the terrace with a view on small park arra

My stay at Shukubo Kakurinbo was one of the highlights of my trip. The atmosphere and staff were phenomenal. Everyone was very friendly and patient whenever language barriers arose. I'm not sure that many non-Japanese visitors come to the guesthouse which is a shame because it's a wonderful experience in an underappreciated part of Japan that offers incredible hospitality, sights, food and great Fuji vistas. The Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka corridor is great but places like Shukubo Kakurinbo offer an equally amazing experience. I can't stress enough how relaxing this place was and I hope to return. I would be foolish not to mention the food here. The dinner in particular was one of the best dining experiences of my life. Incredible flavour and a great view of the garden. The dinner itself is almost worth the room price. If I had one suggestion I would say that the owners may want to put up an english sign where the property begins to aid foreigners in finding the place.