Sekizenkan Kashoutei

If you know the anime Spirited Away, this might look familiar. Regardless, the hotel is beautiful. You can stay in the old wing which may not have the best facility but you will get a taste of how it was like in the past. Or stay in the new wing which offers the best luxury one can offer. The food is one of the best, if not the best we have in Japan. Our dinner was served in our room with seasonal ingredients and attentive service. Of course the staff is as friendly and polite as you would expect. Not everyone is capable to communicate in English but they surely will try their best. Driving there is very straightforward but if you are staying in the new wing, the parking and the reception are actually in the back of the hotel (if you consider the famous red bridge is the front.) Highly recommended and early reservation is a must to get the room and date you want.

We booked a full inclusive experience with the Japanese room. The experience was perfect from that start with the check-in to the room. The room was huge, clean with a nice view - definitely recommend it. Had the chance to have the in room dining too. The hotel generally old but it’s part of the experience, but will say mostly clean. Diner and breakfast was high quality product. Access from Tokyo is ok, train + bus - easy with little planning. Thanks to the team.

An amazing ryokan where the experience on the outside matches the incredible decor of the exterior. Being able to sleep in this wonderful and historical place is already enough to justify the somewhat high, but quite reasonable price, of the room. Do not hesitate to come and spend a night or two there if you’re visiting Japan !

Staff is really nice and accommodating even though not all of them speak English. Dinner at the first night was wonderful and the waiter was truthfully amazing. The second night the food was not really impressive and it seemed either the same as the last night or underwhelming. There was also an issue with our menu during dinner and suddenly they changed the menu while we were eating. We had a different waiter who couldn’t speak english which is okay but he seemed very rushed and multiple courses came at the same time or very quickly after each other which made the diner a bit unpleasant and rushed. I also felt like he gave more service to Japanese people. The building itself is really magical although there were some maintenance which caused some noise pollution. This is not a problem for us but it would have been nice to have an heads-up before hand as you do pay a lot for this ryokan.

Sekizenkan Kashoutei is a fascinating ryokan that beautifully juxtaposes the old and the new, creating a unique atmosphere during your stay. The historic parts of the building, with their charming age and character, tell a story of times gone by, while the newer sections offer modern luxury that contrasts nicely with the traditional elements. Our room was absolutely beautiful, featuring a somewhat modern design while still embracing the old-school tradition of sleeping on tatami mats. The gorgeous sprawling windows offered stunning views of tree branches and the famous red bridge associated with "Spirited Away," which added to the magical ambiance of our stay. It's worth noting that this ryokan served as inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film, making the experience feel even more special. However, my experience was somewhat marred by the fact that Sekizenkan Kashoutei is not tattoo-friendly, which was a significant letdown. As a traveler with tattoos, I felt discriminated against, and it was disheartening to be made to feel unwelcome due to cultural norms. I understand the cultural context, but it still impacted my enjoyment of the stay. Fortunately, the ryokan does offer private onsen options, and we were able to book one for a fee. This turned out to be a romantic and lovely experience, and we were also lucky to have access to the first-come, first-served private onsen without any issues. One aspect that raised concern was our room, which lacked a shower or bath of any kind. We worried that we might not have access to the first-come, first-served bath in the morning, but thankfully, we were able to use it without issue, which alleviated some of our concerns. Another draw for Sekizenkan Kashoutei is its fame from the animated film "Spirited Away," particularly due to one of the most famous bridges associated with the movie. This attracts many tourists for photo opportunities, which can be a bit annoying, especially since we were paying to stay there. It would have been nice if they limited tourist access to allow guests to enjoy the serene atmosphere more fully. Additionally, the parking situation was challenging. It wasn’t immediately clear that there are different parking lots for various parts of the building, and this information was somewhat buried on the website. After an awkward 15 minutes parked on someone else’s property, we finally figured out where to go, so I recommend planning accordingly if you're driving. On a positive note, the hotel features a lovely lounge area with free tea, coffee, and snacks, offering a stunning nighttime view of the gardens. Our stay was made even more special by the rain, which set a perfect mood for a cozy retreat. We had the pleasure of enjoying the best kaiseki dinner and breakfast of our entire trip at this ryokan. The setting, surrounded by greenery and gardens, was truly magical, and the flavors of the meals were perfectly balanced, making it a highlight of our culinary experiences in Japan. Overall, while there were some significant drawbacks, particularly regarding the tattoo policy and some logistical challenges, Sekizenkan Kashoutei still offers a memorable experience in a beautiful setting, especially for its exceptional dining.

Spirited away!! We had the most magical time at the ryokan. Service was top notched, fab food. Awesome rooms, clean and everything exceeded expectations with the snowy weather and all. Loved walking about the hallways up down sideways through the old tunnel and elevators. Stayed in Moegi2 and Mochizu2. Both highly recommended. The ryokan has so much character. Bonus was the easy access, just a few steps from Shima Onsen bus stop. Thank you for your warm hospitality, Sekizenkan!

I adore this place. Top notch service, amazing room, fantastic food. You are paying for an experience, and a luxurious one at that. My fiancée and I will definitely come back in future. It’s about 3 hours from Tokyo by train, then bus.

The popularity of this Onsen resort is mainly credited to the popular anime Spirited Away, thus many visitors came to take pictures at the entrance bridge. Still, this resort has been around since the Edo period hundreds of years ago (330 years old!) and it is declared a cultural heritage property. Restorations have to come with utmost care. Personally I think the resort building is amazing. On arrival, from the parking valet to the check in service is efficient, organised and very friendly. From the property and room introduction to the meals and Onsen schedule are all laid out for the best experience you can have. The room orientation from the Shoji screens, Tatami floor to the toilet and bathroom all breathe history without sacrificing luxury and functionality. The Kaiseki ryori offerings of seasonal produce to the presentation and waiting service are all satisfying and makes the whole experience amazing. If you haven't watched Spirited Away, go watch it. Then come experience the Wabi Sabi. Find beauty within her ancient and rich history.