Synesthesia Hills Illumination

I stayed at Rurikei's Hanaakiri hotel and it exceeded my expectations! My partner and I are studying abroad in Japan and wanted to experience onsen, but we are both transgender, and going to normal onsen is not easy. In this onsen, there are gendered changing rooms, but you can wear a swimsuit and swim in co-ed areas. In addition, my partner (who is too shy to swim in public, even in a swimsuit) could use the private onsen with me because we stayed overnight at Hanaakiri. This is the reason we picked this onsen. I was willing to spend a lot of money just for that, and I was happy with the price. But it turns out that the amount we got was much, much more. We recieved so many "presents" and other free items. We had an incredible kaiseki dinner, a free drink service, some cheesecake, a face mask, yukata for use in the rooms, free breakfast the next day (elaborate, carefully constructed Japanese-style breakfast) and more things that we didn't take advantage of, like a bonfire at night, an illumination show, and many things at the bathhouse. Speaking of the bathhouse, there are normal no-clothes gendered onsen, and then the "バーデ Zone" with many co-ed swimsuit baths (this is the place I spent most of my time). I also briefly checked out the Lantern Terrace where there are many comfy places to read manga and relax in the provided loungewear. I didn't get to check them out, but it seems there are many rooms with various features there, like a place you can take a nap. All those features are free for people staying there. I also had a smoothie and had some "fish therapy", but that cost money. Anyway, it was much more than I expected it to be for the price. The value is incredible. Finally, for other English-speakers- I recommend knowing some Japanese if you go here. I'm not very good at Japanese but I think the limited amount I had was important. When I didn't understand, which was very frequently, I could use Google Translate to bridge the gap. Also, the cultural gap can be difficult, so research before you go (how kaiseki works, onsen manners, the rules, medical warnings, etc.) Especially since most signs are in Japanese only, and in the baths for example you cannot being your phone to translate, you simply have to read the room and make educated guesses sometimes. Good luck, fellow foreigners!

Came here for the private onsen. It was beautiful, well furnished, and came with a room to wash off, a mini onsen, and the big wood tub. Also, theres lots of towels, hair dryers, and sinks. All to ourselves! Pretty amazing. And the kaiseki dinner was fantastic with the exception of the rice stir fry - the mushrooms and fish were particularly great. More value in this onsen with the room than I ever could've expected, and nothing but friendly service. and they have a trampoline!!!

Loved the experience provided. Very relaxing and enjoyable time. We paid ¥1500 for access to the general swimming pool, the male and female hot pools, the outdoor pools, the single gender pools, the relaxing area, the hot stones, the sauna, the sleeping area, and the massage chair. We also paid ¥500 extra for the fish that eat the skin on your feet.

Nice little resort in a beautiful area. Bath area quite small and more swim hall than spa resort feeling, but great for families and couples as you can bathe together with swimsuits. Access is a bit inconvenient as lodging guests must enter through the same area as day trippers which is a bit of a process but you can go in and out as many times as you want. Towels and relax wear are provided. Main buidling restaurant is excellent but write your name on the waiting list in good time. There is also an outdoor BBQ restaurant and a smaller café. The nearby park is as beautiful in the day as in the night when it's lit for an "aurora experience". There is english speaking staff and booking through email is very convenient.