There are even days when you can enjoy a semi-buffet and a private bath for an amazingly low price of under 10,000 yen per person
I stayed at Hotel New Momiji—one of the most popular properties in the Itoen Hotels chain—just before the snow began to fall.
I made my reservation about a week in advance.
Fortunately, a Japanese-style room plan that included both dinner and breakfast was available, so I booked it without hesitation.
The hotel is located in Shiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, about two and a half hours from central Tokyo.
It is easily accessible, involving a drive of roughly two hours on the expressway followed by about 30 minutes on local roads from the nearest exit.
During the autumn foliage season, the drive from the expressway exit to the hotel offers opportunities for sightseeing—such as the Momijidani Suspension Bridge, waterfalls, and footbaths—allowing you to enjoy the scenery along the way before checking in.
I arrived at the hotel just before 3:00 PM.
Since we were in the mountains, the sun would be setting in less than an hour.
The autumn foliage was already past its peak, yet traces of the trees’ vibrant colors could still be seen here and there.
The hotel had the feel of a grand, traditional large-scale establishment, complete with a spacious parking lot.
There was a convenient ramp at the entrance—a thoughtful feature for guests arriving with suitcases.
I headed straight inside to check in.
People were lining up in front of the reception desk, waiting to check in.
At Itoen Hotels, you can enjoy not only meals and hot springs but also activities like table tennis and karaoke.
I had enjoyed playing table tennis during a previous stay at another Itoen Hotel, so I made sure to book a session at the front desk immediately after checking in.
At this particular Itoen Hotel, the system required making separate reservations for table tennis, karaoke, and the private family bath after checking in.
I thought this was a great system, as it helped shorten the check-in process.
For the room, I was given a traditional-style key attached to a long rod, so I unlocked and entered the room myself.
This is the river-facing, 10-tatami-mat Japanese-style room I booked.
After checking in, we head straight to our room.
The presence of an elevator makes the layout accessible and considerate for elderly guests with limited mobility.
The hallway carpeting, small seating areas, and miniature garden features all exude a sense of luxury.
Here’s what the room looks like.
Right next to the entrance, there’s a slot for the power-activating bar attached to the key; inserting it there turns on the lights.
This is a room with a beautiful view from the window.
The futons had already been laid out, and a tea set with accompanying snacks was prepared on the long table in the room.
The snacks served with the tea were Jari-mame, dried horse mackerel (mirin-style), and walnut yubeshi.
It was my first time trying walnut yubeshi, and it was delicious.
It has the feel of a Showa-era inn, but it features a private entrance and is spacious and well-maintained throughout, making for a satisfying experience.
The washbasin, bathroom, and toilet were located at the far end of the hallway leading from the entrance.
A hairdryer and hand towels were provided at the washbasin.
Items such as toothbrushes and combs were already stocked in the room.
The toilet isn’t the latest model, but it functions normally and seems comfortable enough to use.
There was a bathroom next to the toilet, but I didn’t use it since there was an onsen available.
Most guests likely do the same.
The bathroom looked clean and didn’t appear to have seen much use.
Also, unlike most Itoen Hotels, this inn provides *samue* (traditional Japanese loungewear) instead of *yukata*.
Size M is already provided in the closet, but if you need a different size, you can pick one up from the *samue* station located next to the front desk.
This samue is comfortable to wear and has pockets, so it was convenient for things like going to the bath.
Off to the table tennis court I had reserved.
After taking a short break, I borrowed a set of table tennis equipment—including paddles—from the front desk to play a game I had reserved.
It looked like a space that might have once been used for training sessions or similar activities.
The floor was wood, and there were two table tennis tables.
You have a 50-minute slot during which you can play table tennis freely.
Unlike some other Itoen Hotels, the floor here is wood rather than tatami, allowing for a more authentic table tennis experience.
You can also borrow new rackets.
It seemed that not many groups were interested in table tennis at this facility, so it was relatively easy to book a slot.
We worked up a real sweat and had a great time playing.
I’m going to enjoy the large public bath before dinner.
Dinner is at 6:00 PM, so I’m going to have a quick bath before then.
The large communal bath and the open-air bath are located on the top floor.
There are also two private baths, situated just before you reach the large communal bath.
This inn features an alkaline, hydrogen carbonate hot spring supplied by its own private source.
Photography isn’t allowed inside, so I’m sharing this based on the hotel’s website, but the indoor main bath is quite spacious.
There is also an outdoor rock bath; since it has a roof, you can enjoy a leisurely soak while gazing at the mountain scenery, regardless of whether it’s raining or snowing.
I visited just before dinner—a time when most other guests had likely already finished their baths—so the place was very quiet.
I had the outdoor bath all to myself, allowing me to relax and fully enjoy the experience in complete privacy.
ホテルニューもみぢのホームページより
It uses 100% water from its own private source—apparently without any dilution—though the water is circulated and disinfected for hygiene reasons; the outdoor open-air bath did have a somewhat strong smell of chlorine.
That said, the water felt incredibly smooth and pleasant on the skin.
They don’t provide sponges or similar items for washing your body, so you might want to bring your own.
After your bath, you can even buy a beer and enjoy a drink in the post-bath relaxation area.
The post-bath relaxation area is also spacious.
There was a massage chair right next to it, too—it really showed they knew exactly what they were doing.
I didn’t have time on this occasion, so I skipped these and went straight to the meal.
Now for the long-awaited semi-buffet dinner.
After exercising and taking a bath, I’m absolutely famished.
The long-awaited dinner time has arrived, so I’m heading to the dining area.
You are given a timed dinner voucher in advance, so be sure to bring it with you.
Right after entering, there was an area for alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.
At Hotel New Momiji, dinner seating is pre-assigned, so I was able to relax without having to scramble for a table.
It was my first time experiencing this at an Itoen Hotel: the appetizer, sashimi, and hot pot dishes were already set out at the table.
And there was even a menu.
I particularly liked the squid and *iburigakko* (smoked pickled radish) tossed with cheese.
Just having this kind of service makes you feel excited, like you’ve come to a luxury inn.
And since alcohol and soft drinks are all-you-can-drink, I can understand why this inn is so popular.
This is chawanmushi (steamed egg custard),
The sukiyaki was already set up on the table.
I was very satisfied because I could light the stove whenever I was ready and enjoy it piping hot.
For those who want a little more to eat, there is a “half-buffet” selection available.
I helped myself to items like tempura, *inaka-ni* (country-style simmered vegetables), and chicken simmered with egg.
They had tempura made from Iwashita’s *Shin-shoga* (fresh pickled ginger); I don’t usually eat ginger tempura, but I gave it a try and found it so delicious that I went back for seconds.
They are holding a cheese fair this month, so I poured cheese over some steamed vegetables and enjoyed it like cheese fondue.
It was delicious, with just the right amount of saltiness.
I also tried the sushi—something I usually skip at Itoen Hotels.
To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of the sushi served at dinner in these hotels because it often has a slight chemical smell, but the sushi here was genuinely tasty.
To finish off the meal, I had a clear soup packed with yuba (tofu skin), burdock root, and carrot; the aroma of the burdock was lovely, and it tasted excellent.
Although they didn’t serve the signature fried chicken found at other Itoen Hotels, I felt the food quality here was high.
With options like soba noodles and rice available, the variety of dishes seemed greater than at other Itoen Hotels properties.
Given the quality of the food, it might even be worth trying some of the à la carte dishes available for an extra charge.
After that, I had a mini cake and some hojicha tea for dessert, wrapping up the meal for the day.
It was delicious.
Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 9:00.
Breakfast starts at 7:00 AM.
It is served in the same venue as dinner, and you are free to choose your own seat.
You will need a breakfast ticket, so please be sure to bring it with you.
There is a wide variety of small dishes available; if you aren’t careful to take only small portions, your plate will fill up in no time.
There were plenty of side dishes that would go well with rice.
The miso soup contains tofu and deep-fried tofu.
It’s simple and delicious.
I was already quite full, but I enjoyed some yogurt and coffee for dessert, and that concluded breakfast.
We recommend the private family bath in the morning.
After breakfast and before checking out, I headed to the large communal bath for one last soak; on the way, I passed by the private bath and noticed it appeared to be vacant.
I went to the front desk to ask and was told that while there had been reservations for the 5:00 and 6:00 slots, it was currently available for any time I chose.
Since I had wanted to try the private bath, I immediately booked a slot and gave it a try.
Photography is prohibited inside, so I cannot show you pictures, but the facilities include a changing area, an elongated indoor bath, and a spacious washing area.
Shampoo and other amenities are provided, making it a great option for families with children or guests who want to enjoy a relaxing soak together.
The layout allows you to view a small, enclosed garden right from the bathtub, creating a charming atmosphere.
I recommend trying out the private bath yourself when you stay there.
★★Check Room Availability for Itoen Hotels Hotel New Momiji★★
My impressions of staying at Hotel New Momiji (Itoen Hotels)
This was my first time staying here, and I felt it offered excellent value for money.
It was reassuring to find the same amenities—such as a table tennis area and karaoke rooms—that are standard at other Itoen Hotels.
With features like a private bath and a “half-buffet” style dinner—a format new to me—I enjoyed a sense of luxury akin to staying at a high-end inn, despite it being an Itoen Hotel.
The food selection was quite extensive, setting it apart from typical buffets where you are essentially forced to plate a pre-set array of dishes.
Since there are only two table tennis tables and two karaoke rooms, those wishing to use the karaoke facilities should aim to arrive and check in before 3:00 PM.
I was the 15th person to check in, yet the popular time slots were already fully booked.
A tip for future guests: there are no body-washing sponges provided, so you might want to bring your own if that matters to you.
I was able to use the bath when it wasn’t crowded, which made for a very relaxing experience.
However, perhaps due to the high chlorine content in the water, my skin reacted a bit negatively to the hot spring.
Next time, I plan to rinse off the hot spring water before leaving the bath area.
During the warmer seasons, I highly recommend taking a stroll along the riverbank right in front of the hotel.
It was a very peaceful landscape.
I booked my stay through Jalan this time.
I had a 2,600-yen coupon, so I used it to keep the cost under 10,000 yen per person—making it excellent value for money.
At Itoen Hotels, you receive a 1,000-yen discount coupon upon checkout that can be used for your next stay at that same hotel or at other Itoen Hotels in the surrounding area.
I think I might come back again before the coupon expires.
伊藤園ホテルズ ホテルニューもみぢ Itoen Hotels Hotel New Momiji
Address：1074 Shiobara, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture
TEL：0570-06-8780
Check-In：15:00
Check-Out：11:00
My note: Parking is free. Since there tends to be a scramble for the karaoke rooms and private baths upon check-in, you might want to arrive a bit early if you plan to use them. However, if you don’t mind a slightly different schedule, arriving early might not be strictly necessary.
It seemed that the assigned dinner time depended on when you checked in; since we arrived early, we were assigned an earlier dinner slot.
If you are using public transportation, take the Utsunomiya Line to Nishi-Nasuno Station, then take a bus for about 45 minutes to the Shiobara Onsen Bus Terminal; the facility is a five-minute walk from there.
★★★Check Room Availability for Hotel New Momiji via Yahoo Travel★★★
