Homestays in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

"4.5 stars!  Property is older but extremely well maintained.  The corner western/Japanese rooms are spacious with two western beds and tatami area, single japanese bath and shower area and separate toilet area, mini fridge, tv, sitting area overlooking the river and table with four chairs as well as a massage chair!  Onsen area has both indoor and outdoor areas separate for men and women and a cold plunge as well as multiple hot baths.  Minus half a star for low staffing in the store/cafe areas (often no staff member to be found when kakigori desired), no in house lunch option and overly fatty meat on the 3rd night dinner (breakfast and dinner were LARGE and BEAUTIFUL but perhaps heavy on the yuba.  Also, shuttle to the train station is only at 10 and 11am and getting cabs is difficult.  However, would overwhelmingly recommend Nikko Senhime Monogatari!"

"The onsen quality was great, spacious and gentle to the skin!! View from the rooms was excellent although can see n hear the oncoming traffic. Will visit again!"

"Our trip during Golden Week was to visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine and other World Heritage sites. We stayed in a corner room in the main building. The interior was beautifully maintained, in the style of a charming old-fashioned hotel, spacious, clean, and comfortable. The next day, it was bright and sunny from early morning. Through the large window, we could see fresh greenery, and snow seemed to have fallen on the distant mountains. We thoroughly enjoyed our coffee and had a wonderful time. I'd love to visit again in autumn."

"This was my first time staying at Lotte Guesthouse, and it was a great experience. The amenities were very thoughtful, including cutlery, kitchenware, a Nespresso capsule coffee machine, and even a washer-dryer with laundry detergent. It truly felt like home! The only minor inconvenience for my family was having to queue to use the single bathroom and toilet. For me, I didn't realize until I arrived that our room was on the second floor and there was no option to choose the floor when booking. Carrying heavy luggage up the stairs to the second floor was a bit of a struggle!"

"The hotel locates nearby Nikko, the world herritage area, just 4 km. from the hotel. Our room is very big, clean, and good maintained. There are 5-6 private onsen rooms, available and enough for guests. The hotel owner gave us warm welcome and services with very reasonable price. Recommend for the one who wants to stay and travel in Nikko!!"

"It's an amazing place. Very authentic. A memorable dinner and a hearty breakfast. The only thing is that it's hard to get there without a car, the last bus stop is 1 km away. But it's definitely worth it."

"The traditional central Japanese garden with pond and fish is superbly designed and is visible once inside, from the lobby, the lounge and the dining room with all the rooms directly above (at least 3 floors). The service desk is only open for check-in from 3-6pm (English spoken), though I arrived earlier (before noon) and left my luggage & went for a walk. Unless you book meals (breakfast plus dinner combined) ahead of your stay, meals are not available due to the the need to prepare them). I stayed 3 nights but hadn't booked meals so it was too late to enjoy a meal the first day or following morning. The next 2 nights I ate there OK. I highly recommend Ikari Restaurant (5 mins walk away) as an alternative also, because the Sakahijiri meals are VERY expensive ( ¥6,600) but the Sakahijiri dinner in itself is an extraordinary experience in Japanese cuisine by a seriously skilled chef that may be worthwhile having. The rooms are spacious and with traditional Japanese elements.The town is smaller and lacks much to see for some but it was a great respite for me due to the quietness that I sought. I used the in/outdoor onsen each day too. Access from the Railway Station is an easy, generally flat, 10-15 min walk. I've read some silly complaints about a few holes in some sliding paper windows caused by careless tourist/s. Sakahijiri is so pleasing overall and restful that criticism such as this misses the point of it uniqueness."

"I visited Nikko to explore the areas around Tokyo during my trip! Nikko is apparently famous for its hot springs and yuba (tofu skin) cuisine. So, I stayed at Hananoyado Mitsuya, a hot spring hotel. We booked a stay that included both dinner and breakfast. Pros: All the staff members were incredibly friendly, and the service was excellent. The food was delicious and the portions were generous! They even prepared our futons for us during dinner, and the yukata (Japanese traditional garment) were free. Among all the amenities, I loved the hot springs the most. The water temperature wasn't too hot, and the outdoor bath, in particular, was absolutely beautiful! Being in the open-air bath, surrounded by trees and nature, listening to the sounds of the nearby stream, was incredibly relaxing! My travel companion and I even booked a private hot spring for one session, which was 3300 yen for 45 minutes. They also provided free transportation to Kinugawa-Onsen Station, where we needed to catch our express train. Additionally, there were various vending machines conveniently located throughout the property. Cons: Perhaps because I visited in winter, but our room was extremely cold. Even with the heating on its highest setting, it remained chilly. I think the large size of the room might have contributed to this. Also, the internet was slow. Although the hotel had Wi-Fi, it often disconnected or had trouble connecting. Even using mobile data was slow. Aside from these points, I was very satisfied! Especially the staff's service, the hot springs, and the meals were outstanding! 👍👍"

"The BEST hostel I ever stayed in! If you are staying in Lake Chuzenji in Nikko you got to stay here. It is a hostel within a hotel so it is very clean, safe and very big. The staff are very friendly and everything is amazing. They have a free onsen + a lounge with drinks, tea, wine, coffee, and ice cream bars that you could take! They have a microwave too if you need it and a hot water dispenser. The hotel is right in front of the lake so you know you’re gonna have a good time! The bus station is also right in front and if you are parking they have plenty of space! You have to come here. I will come here again!"