La Vista Akangawa

Food was excellent! View from room was mesmerizing! Outdoor onsen was beautiful albeit somewhat small compared to other resorts.

What could be improved: Duvet - too hot non-breathable material. Can’t be under duvet for too long as it gets really hot. And can’t stay uncovered for too long as it gets too cold (although we didn’t turn on the heater as we didn’t like sleeping with the heater switched on). Perhaps resort should consider using a better duvet or provide a thinner option

Beautiful location, facilities, wonderful private onsen and little perks throughout. Fantastic restaurant staff. It is a really wonderful place to stay with fantastic food and fun little things to engage with. Close to Akanko by car. There are 3 private baths downstairs and you don't need to book them, just check if they're available. There's also a nice bath in the room.

What could be improved: To avoid this situation please let them know well in advance if you have any dietary needs. Reception staff made me feel awful about being vegetarian. Throughout this stay it was presumed I couldn't understand Japanese so I understood her complaints right in front of us. My husband can't understand Japanese and he said the body language and sighing were clearly complaints anyway. We are staying in many places on this trip with meals included but this was the only time I felt awful about being vegetarian. She asked if we would like dinner and that's when I said, and she said it won't be possible. As for breakfast she made a point of complaining to a colleague beside her (who didn't engage with the complaints) before calling the restaurant staff and asking. The result was fine, I was allowed to eat breakfast, although there was no choice between western and Japanese style like my husband. The food was superb! But the attitude about the situation made me feel awful and could have been kinder.

We live the hot spring and the facilities. The public one at the basement was awesome plus we got our own at our room. It was perfect for a tiring day. Coffee beans and grinder were provided at the room, and we made our own coffees while enjoying the views to the snow. Free ramens and yogurt were free to grab.

What could be improved: The water at the reserved bath were not warm.

Perfectly situated in the tranquil banks of the Akan River away from the most touristy lodgings by the lake. In room bath is a bonus for those crowd adverse even if it was a bit tiny for anyone above 6ft. Riverview rooms is a must! How can you travel all the way here to scrimp a few dollars but sacrifice the wondrous experience living by a flowing river?

Sumptuous spread of food despite some of the negative reviews - only meal that could do better was dinner from the first night (sorry you one-nighters). Stayed a total of 3 nights and the food thereafter is nowhere inferior to ryokans elsewhere.

What could be improved: The rooms are already set to heating even though it was a hotter than usual autumn, you can see that this place is going to be so cosy in the deep of the winter. Driving is a must to get here but it is very much worth it.