Ryokan Ohashi
A Historic Onsen Ryokan
Set on the riverbanks of Misasa Onsen town, Ryokan Ohashi is a step back in time to an era of breathtaking Japanese-style traditional architecture.
Completed in 1932, Ryokan Ohashi was painstakingly constructed from local fine word collected from the surrounding area with the sole aim of creating the finest example of Japanese architecture. Today visitors can still appreciate the detailed craftsmanship and history during their stay.
As of 1997, the property was designated as a national registered tangible cultural entity.
Five parts within the onsen ryokan are designated as nationally registered tangible cultural properties (the main building, annex, west annex, large hall, and drum bridge), making it an extremely valuable and unique architectural piece of history across the country.
Uniquely Designed Rooms
Every room in Ryokan Ohashi is distinct and unique, with views of either the Mitoku river, surrounding the forest or even their own private gardens that offer another peaceful setting.
Returning guests love to try a different room each time they visit so they can fully experience the history of Ryokan Ohashi and the many master craftsmen who created each room’s individual style and charms.
Perhaps the hardest thing as a first time visitor will be trying to decide which room you wish to book for the first time.
Eight of the twenty rooms have either their own indoor or outdoor private onsen bath, whilst two of them Suisen no Ma & Hisago no Ma have two private open air onsen baths each! for their guests to soak away in.
Relax in the Suisen no Ma - the Daffodil Room
One of Ryokan Ohashi’s special rooms where guests can enjoy TWO private open air onsen baths all to themselves is Suisen no Ma (Daffodil Room). Spacious at 18 tatami mats, this open plan traditional room can accommodate up to 6 people, all sleeping comfortably on fluffy futon bedding. Decorated with warm brick coloured walls, and minimalistic antiques and decorations, the highlight is the two open air private onsen you can enjoy on the outdoor terrace with the stone lantern; one bath is a beautiful ceramic bath where there other is a traditional hinoki bath. There is also an outdoor shower area and small sliding doors to reveal windows in the bamboo wall which allow glimpses of the river. Relax away as you hear the river gushing or sit quietly in your room admiring the small Japanese garden adjacent which has it’s own cherry blossom tree.
Enjoy Two Private Open Air Onsen in Your Room
The first time I’ve ever experienced having two private outdoor onsen as part of my room, truly a sublime experience and perfect if you’re with a larger group.
Soak Away in Artesian Onsen Waters
Guests can bathe away in two public onsen at Ryokan Ohashi; Gankutsu no yu & Seseragi no Yu. Gankutsu no Yu is the indoor onsen with three natural rock baths to enjoy, where the onsen water gushes out naturally; the lower and middle baths are radium springs whilst the upper bath is a thorium spring which is the only one in all of Misasa Onsen and has the highest concentration of thorium in the world in a hot spring. An artesian spring, the onsen water flows organically from Mitoku river and as such, some places in the bath are shallow whilst some are deep. In fact the baths of Gankutsu and its rocks are still part of the Mitoku river, simply put a roof and walls were put over and around it.
DAY TRIP BATHING: 15:00-20:30 (usage until 21:00) COST: 1500JPY cash only
Men may use Seseragi-no-Yu (open-air bath) / Women will use Gakutsu-no-Yu
Sesaragi no Yu
Ryokan Ohashi’s open air onsen lies by the riverside where bathers can enjoy the sound of the river and feel the freshness of the air as they soak (don’t worry there’s a fence built to ensure modesty from outside eyes). Both baths will swap over for men and women during the day so one can try both onsens.
Dine on a Delicious Japanese Kaiseki Dinner & Breakfast
Another feast for the eyes and tastebuds, Ryokan Ohashi’s kaiseki dinner and breakfast was a wonderful showcase of the region’s fresh produce, seasonal ingredients and perfect marriage of flavours and umami. Starting with an aperitif of local fruit liquor paired with the introductory appetisers including some delicious home made sesame tofu, then the further dishes of kaiseki followed. The suimono (soup dishes) which are traditionally served between the “main/heavier” dishes were particularly refreshing and a great palate cleanser with their clear broth bases and lighter flavours.
As per the norm I also decided to try one of the local region’s nihonshu, which was a lovely pairing to sip throughout the entire meal. Nihonshu (sake) is always a safe bet, as it complements many flavours easily whether it be switching between fish or meat.
One’s meals are enjoyed in several of their private dining rooms, with mine having the loveliest artwork on display.
MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS
FOOD
I really loved my meals at Ryokan Ohashi, as my personal tastes tend to gravitate towards lighter flavours and seafood with minimal meat; all their dishes were a perfect palate for my tongue. Though there were many dishes as per a normal kaiseki and I was my stomach was definitely full afterwards, I wasn’t feeling that uncomfortable sensation of when you’ve just had far too much and too heavy food dishes. A highlight was also the ending rice, miso and pickles dish - as much as I do like plain Japanese rice - it’s always a nice surprise when they make special seasonal rice dishes, whether a mini chirashi, takikomi or something else.
ONSEN
Both the indoor and outdoor public onsen are quite large especially since the indoor onsen is comprised of 3 baths, which makes for a lovely spacious atmosphere so even if there are other people enjoying the onsen, one can still feel like they’re having their own space. Having a artesian onsen that flows naturally is also not a common occurrence so its nice to be able to enjoy the onsen water in it’s purity, especially with the added rarity of the thorium spring.
To have not only one private outdoor onsen bath but two as part of one’s room is also a rarity and a unique luxury, which was greatly enjoyed.
ROOM AMBIANCE
I have a love for tatami floors in my room whenever I stay in traditional onsen ryokans, and to have such a spacious Japanese style open plan room is quite rare. The staff will lay your futon out during dinner, but throughout the day you can enjoy resting in the cozy wooden chairs and table, or sitting at the traditional low table with low seats. Would love to return to see the small Japanese garden in bloom with cherry blossoms (it was just beginning to bloom when I stayed there). My favourite aspect of the room was of course having two private open air onsen baths on my private terrace, where I could hear the river and enjoy switching between hinoki and ceramic baths.
VENUE AMBIANCE
Stepping into Ryokan Ohashi is like entering the world of Studio Ghibli, every piece of the onsen ryokan is meticulously detailed and beautifully made with intricate craftsmenship. Gorgeous panoramic views of Mitoku river and its surrounds greet you as you enter the lobby where you can rest in the comfortable couches appreciating the view. The original warped/muddled and patterned handmade glass windows are found throughout the property in their shoji doors and windows, giving the whole area a lovely atmosphere. Several famous pieces of art and treasured pieces decorate the onsen ryokan, given by renowned artists and inherited by the previous and current generations.
SURROUNDING AREA
The Misasa Onsen area is a sweet little town to enjoy a few nights stay whilst relaxing in onsen, one can wander the town, take relaxing strolls - if brave enough - enjoy the beloved mixed onsen in the river and of course make sure to hike sacred Mt Mitoku. You can read more about what to do in Mitoku here and here.
RYOKAN OHASHI (at time of stay)
COST: Rooms start from 20,000JPY per person per night
Suisen no Ma (the room I stayed in) starts from 30,000JPY per person per night
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast & Dinner included depending on plan
CHECK IN/CHECK OUT TIME: 1500 / 1000
PAYMENT: Cash or Credit
ROOMS: 20
ENGLISH SPEAKING STAFF: Some
WEBSITE: RYOKAN OHASHI
IG: @ryokanohashi
