Reviews of Sekizenkan

The hotel itself has a lot of historical value, and this was our first stay. We booked a room in the Kashotei-Sanso wing, which was comfortable and clean. The staff were attentive and polite, and the hotel facilities were excellent. The onsen (hot spring) area offered a variety of options, but what truly impressed me were the 2-3 private onsen rooms available. These rooms allow you to enjoy a relaxing bath with your family without any disturbances, and they operate on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis. For dinner, we had the Japanese kaiseki cuisine, which was incredibly rich and delicious. After our meal, we took some photos in front of the hotel – it's absolutely stunning both day and night. This hotel is definitely on my must-visit checklist for an onsen ryokan!

I stay at the new building, my room is one of the biggest in the hotel , almost 1000 sq.ft . Design of the room is very nice , private onsen . Couldn’t ask for more . Dinner and breakfast was also one of the best in Japanese onsen hotel . Will definitely come back .

We arrived by car. The location was somewhat difficult to access, so my satisfaction score is slightly lower than other categories. It's a historically valuable cultural heritage site, so I recommend it to anyone interested in architecture. The food incorporated plenty of seasonal ingredients, was colorful, and very satisfying. The staff were also very helpful. There were several hot springs, and we were provided with two bath towels each, so we thoroughly enjoyed bathing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, which exceeded my expectations.

Both breakfast and dinner were delicious. There were many foreign employees, and their hard work was evident. The manager's efficient and hospitable service was outstanding.

The nighttime illumination was beautiful, and I enjoyed taking pictures! The building felt clean and didn't show its age, and I didn't notice any noise leakage. The food is Japanese cuisine. Since it's a set course in the evening, I recommend going with an empty stomach!

The staff's service and attitude were excellent. Everything I ate was delicious, and I was very satisfied.

It was nice to feel the history and also the newness.

The food and the hot springs were both great and I really enjoyed it. It's a hot spring inn I'd like to visit again.

Although it is an old hot spring hotel, I don't think it's worth the price. There is a small street around it, which is not recommended. Maybe I personally like the hustle and bustle. When I went to the room, there was no staff to help with the luggage.

The Honkan was connected to Sansou and Kashotei via some tunnels, supposedly resembling those in the animation.The Honkan does have a rustic charm. We stayed at the top floor VIP room of Kashotei. The room was spacious and clean with the proper amenities. However, the service of the ryokan was underwhelming. While I am aware that there is a manpower shortage in Japan and hospitality teams often include trainees, the service rendered was disappointing at best. As we stayed at the VIP room, our meal was served in room. We appreciated the convenience of in-room meal service. However, the staff arrived to set up our table at 5:50 PM, and dessert was not served until 7:50 PM. As the illumination event runs only from 6:00–10:00 PM, this extended dining duration significantly limited our time to enjoy both the onsen and the lights. Perhaps a more streamlined service flow—or the option to adjust course timing upon request—could help guests better plan their evening. While we noted the menu was printed in both English and Japanese, we would have greatly appreciated a brief verbal explanation of the dishes being served. The staff member assisting us seemed hesitant to communicate in English and resorted to showing Google Translate on her phone. When we offered to converse in Japanese (one of our party is a native speaker), she appeared relieved but still did not provide explanations about the courses—in either language. A little more confidence or training in guest interaction, even with simple phrases, would make a meaningful difference in the dining experience. I must raise a serious concern regarding the option of “vegan” menu. Despite the label, nearly every dish contained fish broth or other fish-derived ingredients, with only plain white rice being truly plant-based. At best, this menu should be classified as pescatarian. In several countries, including my own, misrepresenting a menu as “vegan” when it contains animal-derived ingredients is considered false advertising and can carry legal consequences. While dietary labeling standards may vary by region, accuracy is essential for guest trust, health considerations, and regulatory compliance. I strongly recommend reviewing the menu descriptions. We also noticed that the trash bin outside the onsen was still overflowing with used paper cups at 9:00 AM. Given the premium nature of the ryokan, timely housekeeping in high-traffic communal areas would help maintain the serene atmosphere the property is known for. We noticed a heavily tattooed person using the public onsen without covering the tattoos. We understand it is your policy that heavily tattooed individuals should either use the private onsen or cover up their tattoos in case they want to use the public onsen. Wasn't that a clear violation of your rules?

very traditional ryokan, the room was large but the light from Shoji came in so I did not sleep well. but otherwise, it is great. the food is very good- rather than the typical onsen numerous food. i enjoy the one on the ground floor's bath. it was very soothing in my stomach.

As an anime enthusiast, staying at Sekizenkan was like stepping directly into Studio Ghibli’s 'Spirited Away.' The red bridge and the architecture are breathtaking. The atmosphere, especially at night, is mystical. The Onsen experience is authentic and deeply relaxing. It’s not just a hotel; it’s a cultural journey. A must-visit for anyone traveling to Gunma!

Still standing tall with a charm that will simply WOW anyone. It's serenity is a great place for a good relaxation and to be pampered with great food by the chef. We booked a room that had tatami and normal beds with a private onsen. It was truly an experience which one must try to fully immerse in it to feel it. Great getaway from the hustle and bustle or a romantic getaway.