Wataya Besso

Stayed here for a night in March 2025. We were a group of 14 and booked 5 rooms. For our kaiseki dinner we were allocated a private dining room, breakfast was buffet style in an open hall. Onsen was good as well. Overall service was excellent, from the front desk staff who personally showed us to our rooms, to the kind and friendly bachans who served us during dinner. True omotenashi at its best. 💯

Disappointing Stay - Would Not Recommend I’ve stayed at many ryokans, but this was by far the most disappointing experience. How can this condition be considered 5-star…? It felt less like a traditional inn and more like a rundown private house. Had I known the actual condition, I would have chosen a nearby hotel. This stay felt more like a donation than an actual ryokan experience. 1. Room Condition: Poorly maintained and outdated. While some effort went into the common areas, the guestroom itself was clearly neglected and in need of serious repair. The patio area outside the room was completely unusable—the floor was heavily soiled and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in a long time, as shown in the photos. It raises the question: why is it not being cleaned at all? 2. Bedding: The futon and cushions were so thin and worn out that I could feel the floor. Very uncomfortable for sleeping. 3. Noise: The old mini-fridge, sitting on an wooden base, made loud creaking noises every 30 minutes throughout the night. I couldn’t sleep at all. 4. Onsen Bath: Even for staying guests, there’s an additional charge. The shower facilities are outdated, with weak water pressure and unreliable temperature control. 5. Breakfast: Marketed as kaiseki but more like a very limited buffet. Surprisingly, there was no plain white rice. I recommend skipping it and eating elsewhere. 6. No Hospitality Touches: Not even a basic welcome snack was provided—something you’d expect even at the most modest ryokan. * Don’t be fooled by the main photo the ryokan posted on Google.

If you love old & antique hotel, you may like it. I don’t find the room itself worth 5 stars, maybe the facilities worth only. You maybe attracted by the facilities or outlook, but will find different style of your room. Well maybe you need to pay more or they have some other refurbished room in modern & clean style.