My stay at Ureshino Onsen Yoshidaya Uchiroji Hondori (also known as Yadoya Uchiroji Hondori) was a tale of two extremes in the charming hot spring town of Ureshino, Saga Prefecture.
The hotel was modern Japanese-style with smart check-in system. The twin room was spacious, impeccably clean, and exude serene comfort, making it a perfect retreat. The private onsen facilities truly shine— It was a free slot with 40 mins, which could be booked once via QR Code at the room. Ureshino's famous sodium-rich hot springs, renowned as one of Japan's top three for beautifying the skin, deliver silky-smooth water that leaves you feeling rejuvenated.
However, the meal plan was a major letdown. I sent an email to the hotel to confirm my booking and stated I did not eat beef before. The customer service replied I had to pay extra per person in order to change the meat option. For over JPY 38,000 per night including breakfast and dinner, we anticipated premium kaiseki cuisine or traditional served Japanese dinner set. Instead, only a bento box with cold salad and an underwhelming beef and egg pie that felt mismatched for the price. Tragically, my husband experienced vomiting shortly after, likely food-related, which overshadowed our trip. And the breakfast was also disappointing, which was only cold sandwiches with a cup of tea or milk.
Thus, I strongly recommend the hotel clearly states the exact contents of dinner and breakfast plans on booking sites—including detailed menus or photos—and offers flexible options, such as plan changes or alternatives, if guests fall ill from the food. This transparency and adaptability would greatly enhance the experience and prevent frustration.
