From the moment we checked in, the staff were absolutely amazing. The location by the river and among the mountains is like something from a dream. Both the buffet amd the kaiseki dinner were exceptional, featuring local seasonal ingredients prepared wonderfully. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful, but a very special mention must said for ゆき-ちゃん, and あき - ちゃん. Their beautiful personalities, and their incredibly happy and positive attitudes made the stay at this りょかん such a memorable experience. Definitely plan to return as the only regret is that I did not stay for at least three nights!

That I had to leave, and had only booked a single night.

The staff were utterly wonderful. Nothing was too much trouble and they didn’t bat an eyelid when we wanted 3 pillows each instead of one! This hotel is huge. Catering for walkers who often only pass through for one night on their way to the next walk along the Kumano Kudo trail. They made a fuss of everyone even if you’re only there briefly. We were there for 3 nights and were treated like royalty by our last night. We opted for a western style room which I think was a mistake. These rooms are tired and in need of a big makeover. Worn out bathrooms and bedding.. the Japanese rooms looked much more up to date. We were half board and I have to say that despite the cafeteria type restaurant with awful strip lighting the food was absolutely delicious. Always some sashimi waiting for you and a little pot to light and cook. Yourself plus a buffet with everything you could wish for. Unfortunately breakfast was very disappointing. Hardly anything for westerners and the bits that were were not good. But all in all it was a great hotel and I would recommend it.

The western style rooms need a makeover.

The room was great and big, amazing view of the river and trees. Amenities great, they even had a tea set and some cookies and water for us. Dinner buffet was great, plenty of options.

It feels a bit dated ( smell of the place, worn down furniture, and onsen). The onsen was specially old, carpets broken, door of the onsen broken and mouldy etc. Some guests were a bit loud and not following rules. That could be regulated more. It seemed like there were too many stuff wondering around and without much experience. Reception was a bit chaotic, 4 staff running around. We asked for a lunchbox since we needed to go for a hike and they only provided bread besides having paid for breackfast. Some advice would be to reduce dinner options (the whole meat set that they provide besides the buffet seemed a bit too much for every guest) and spend the money in renovating the place and onsen instead.

We stayed here to do parts of the Kumamoto Kodo. The hotel runs a shuttle bus - if you call then they can pick you up from Hongu, and every morning they shuttle hikers to Hosshinmon Oji to walk that segment - with pick-up on demand from Hongu. The hotel has outdoor Onsen baths down by the river, which are lovely, They provide “Special Yukatas” to wear in these mixed gender outdoor baths (so you don’t need to bring bathers). Or you can use the indoor Onsen nude. The meals were fantastic - starting off with some dishes delivered to your table (e.g. Sashimi, or vegetables you grill yourself at your table) plus a buffet. The buffet is the same from day to day, but there is plenty of choice. Mostly Japanese style, but with enough choice that our fussy teenager didn’t starve. Our Japanese style family room was more like a suite - extremely spacious, with a mix of Japanese and Western chairs and lovely views over the river and forest.

You will need to pay a small onsen tax - but it wasn’t much.

Amazing onsen facilities which include an outdoor riverside onsen overlooking a dense forest. The room (we stayed at the Japanese style room) was very specious and comfortable. Definitely an ideal location for nature appreciation and recharging the soul.

The breakfast is actually great, but the key is not to arrive right at the beginning (7am) since everyone goes at that time and long lines ensue. The crowd is gone after half an hour. Restaurant options are far and few in Kawayu, on the night we stayed only 1 restaurant was opened for dinner. It may be beneficial to sign up for the inhouse dinner.

The outside onsen right next to the river with a wide open view of a mountain forest was my favorite onsen in our 5 week trip to Japan. Cotton cover ups are provided for the mixed gender outdoor onsen, so me and my partner could enjoy together an onsen for the first time. The hotel shuttle picked us up from the Hongu Taisha bus stop after our Kumano Kodo trek, so it was nice not have to navigate a bus ride. We didn't have cell phone access, so the hotel instructed us to ask the tourist office to call the hotel they were happy to do so. Shuttle not available from 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Buffet meals were the usual hectic hotel crowds, but food was plentiful and satisfying, especially after hiking for three days.

This ryokan is very nicely located on a river bank, across from a mature forest. Offering a view to admire is very Japanese, and so, its onsen extends on the river bank. This is where it gets messy : read below.

Traveling to Japan twice a year for more than 10 years now, including many study trips, I can say how much over tourism is hurting the hotel business, to say the least. You can’t blame folks for being curious and wanting to discover Japan, but Japan (nor any other country) is not your Disney Land. The onsen is not your backyard jacuzzi. This ryokan should instruct customers, westerners and asians alike, good manners in an onsen. Good table manners as well, but that would asking to much I guess. The staff went out of its way to please all of us foreigners, front desk and dinning room included!

The outdoor onsen was really enjoyable and quite unique. We had a wonderful view over the river and lush forest from our room. The room was very spacious and comfortable, and had a very traditional look and feel. The hotel was even able to acoomodate for my dietary preferences (vegetarian) with the food provided, and I got a nice tofu hot pot for dinner. The food was generally tasty.

The dinner and breakfast buffet did not have English labels, and even the Japanese ones (which we Google translated) lacked details about the ingredients etc. For visitors unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine there are a lot of mystery foods. While this is not uncommon in Japan, it makes it really hard for someone with dietary preferences to know what they can and cannot eat.

We had a wonderful stay at Kawayu Midoriya. It was our pit stop after doing the long Kumano Kodo hike from near chikatsayu to Hongu Taisha. The hotel was clean and well located, the room was clean, modern and comfortable (we stayed in western style room), the staff at reception and service were exceptional. The outdoor onsen is breathtaking. Ask for a room with the view of the river! We would stay here again.

They packed a lunch box for us for our hike the next day. The only option was Japanese rice balls. Perhaps a bento box would be a nice option.

One of Top Hotel during our trip in Japan! We got an authentic room with tatami, with amazing river view. Onsen inside are classic Japanese, but the one outside are really amazing, carved into the rocks, few meters from the river, the calmness, the falcons, the forest just as into a movie...Dinner and breakfast super extended, maybe even too much you don't know where to begin and where to end. Staff also super friendly. So, surely a recommendation for 3/4 days even more!

take a room on the upper floor, because ours had a view but on top you can enjoy much better