Tabino Yado Marukyo

Positive overall but we wanted to be near Nikko and was around one hour by rail away. We also had room next to railway line so noisy. Facilities good and staff helpful. OK if guests just want proximity to spa.

Checking was a breeze - a staff member was already expecting us. Their English is limited but we were able to obtain basic info. Staff explained hotel rules simply.

A 10 minute walk from Kinugawa Onsen Station, so inconveniently located if you intend to do sightseeing around Tobu-Nikko because you need to take 2 local trains to get there and they only depart TWICE EVERY HOUR. The hotel staff were courteous. They let us change rooms after the first night because we kept waking up from the sounds of passing trains and cars. The rear wall of the hotel is right beside the road and the railroad tracks, so make sure to ask for a room located at the front of the hotel, unless you like the thundering and clunking sounds of trains. The onsen inside the hotel includes 8 shower heads and rubber seats, one indoor and one outdoor communal hot tub. The outdoor one is supposedly loaded with charcoal. Room floors are tatami, and the futons are not too hard nor too soft. The covers are soft and warm. Yukatas are also provided, but towels are lacking. They only provide you with one large towel and one small hand towel. One of our towels had a small brown bug crawling on it, by the way. However, overall the rooms were well-cleaned and organized. An electric kettle, a tea set with generic green tea bags, and a steel thermos type jug filled with ice cold water are provided. Be warned that there are only 3 restaurants, all with low quality overpriced cooking nearby. There are also 2 convenience stores without ATMs, selling at double the price snacks found in national chain convenience stores.

Pleasant stay although I would not choose half board. The restaurant was not attractive and the food was average. The alcohol in the restaurant was more expensive than in some high end places I've been to in Tokyo. We stayed in the deluxe room with a view and were very impressed. Huge room, private outdoor bath. The communal onsen was great too,however the sauna looked like something out of a scene in saw.

Outside looks a bit shabby, but don't judge a book by its cover; this was a great place. The rooms are large with an in room dining table and screen off sitting room. We also had a private bath and shower which was a definite plus. Staff was welcoming and the town square is an easy 2-3 minute walk. I would highly recommend this ryokan!