Iya Valley Onsen hotel

Iya Valley Onsen hotel, Iya Valley, Japan

Located deep in the Iya Valley, this hotel has only 21 rooms all in the Japanese style. The hotel is one of the best in the area and offers excellent hot spring bathing coupled with good hearty food after a hard day's exploring.

The baths themselves are open air, the water being supplied by the local volcanoes and accessed by funicular train that descends at an angle of 42 degrees to the Iya River below — the journey offering some spectacular views over the Iya valley. Food is locally sourced and seasonal, adding to the authenticity of this little-visited part of the country.

Our rating: First Class