24.10.25Spending the weekend in Nikko while traveling, we opted to stay in the beautiful town of Yumoto which has no shortage of ryokans. New to Japan, we had never been to even an onsen so the experience was completely new. But it was wonderful! The staff are very receptive, polite and helpful, and willing to do whatever it takes to make sure your stay is nice. The room was nice and clean and offered a view of the mountains, with plenty of space and hot water for tea. The staff would set it up for sleeping at night while we were away for dinner, then set up for relaxing during the day while away for breakfast. The dinner and breakfasts are scheduled with you each day, and were delicious, with an assortment of fresh and local foods like trout and the Nikko style yuba. The onsen is open 24 hours, with an indoor and outdoor section both fed by the natural sulfur springs, which promises good health. The lobby has a nice gift store and a cozy bar with a fire place that holds karaoke in the evenings. Overall a very fun stay and we will be coming back!
23.03.31 The hotel is a typical ryokan built in the 70s or 80s with little character yet friendly staff, warm rooms and good local food. I was pleased that the staff catered to my dietary requests, - this is not always the case when staying at Japanese ryokans or hotels.
Just to the right of the main entrance was a dog tied up on a short chain. It stood on the cold concrete and there was evidence around the dog to suggest it was life-chained. The chain was perhaps a metre and a half and it looked as though the dog couldn’t even get into the dilapidated little dog house next to it.
The dog had an infected eye, itchy ears, itchy skin and red paws which it licked at to relieve the pain - typical symptoms of a neglected life-chained dog.
The sight of this dog right next to the entrance gave me a sleepless night and I commiserated with the poor dog as it barked aimlessly from 5am onwards.
I’d like to suggest to the hotel to take better care of their dog and not let it stand outside alone in the freezing cold. Life chaining dogs is banned in many countries where future guests may come from. Listening to a neglected dog crying outside one’s hotel bedroom is not an experience I can recommend.
