Shima Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is located near the end of a road. It is quiet and has a nice atmosphere, as if you are in another world, cut off from the rest of the world. Among them, this inn has a long history. The "main building" was built in 1691, and the old-fashioned wooden architecture somehow brings with it a sense of nostalgia, overwhelming you no matter where you look, from the exterior to the interior. As for the hot spring, "Genroku no Yu" is a bathhouse with a high ceiling and a slightly Western-style "high-collar" feel that you have never seen anywhere else.

Although it is not a flashy luxury inn, it is a historical Ryokan (Japanese inn). It never rests on tradition, and the staff are warm and kind, and treat you with courtesy. The building is old, but it is well-cleaned and does not feel out of place. The area around the stone steps of Ikaho is retro, and the combination of Yokotekan and the stone steps street creates a chic retro atmosphere.

The inn is a member of the Society for Preserving Secret Hot Springs in Japan, and is a relocated old house, giving it a retro atmosphere. Guests can sit on bearskin rugs by Japanese hearth, and eat meals around the hearth. The baths are free-flowing, drawn from the inn's own hot spring source. Relaxing in the wooden indoor and outdoor baths while savoring the plentiful hot water makes you feel as if you are one with nature. Shirakawa-go and Takayama, Little Kyoto, are nearby, and it is also home to Hida beef, so you can enjoy sightseeing and gourmet food all at once, which is another reason to stay here.

なかなか伝統のある鎌先温泉の中でも、一番お勧めしたい「最上屋旅館」。純和風の木のぬくもり漂う素敵な宿です。館内のあちらこちらに、いろりや、かご、昔の道具や飾りがあり、懐かしい気持ちにさせられます。食事も、畳のお部屋にテーブル席でいただく、手の込んだ美味しい一品が次々運ばれます。私が宿泊したときは、雪が降る寒い日で（雪もまた厳かで良いのですが）、私が咳をしていたもので、スタッフの方が、寒くないですか？風邪薬はご入り用ではないですか？と気にかけてくださいました。お風呂は、あまり広くなく、古さも雅な感じではないですが、レトロ感はありますし、泉質が良いです！お値段も、土日でもリーズナブルに宿泊できます。

This is a hot spring resort from the good old days that was founded in 1927. There are about four facilities where you can stay, but the one that has the most retro atmosphere is "Kashoen". You can use the Visiting hot springs in all the buildings, so it's fun to go on a hot spring tour. Although reservations are required, there is a free shuttle bus from Shin-Hanamaki Station.

I went there on a family trip with my parents and children. It is a very tasteful inn in the middle of nature. I remember very well the dinner where we enjoyed the aroma of bamboo while drinking sake, which was warmed in a bamboo tube. It was very moving to see fireflies flying around to welcome us when we went to the hot spring. Everything about Ryokan (Japanese inn) made us forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax. It was a memorable hot spring inn, and I definitely recommend you to visit.

I recommend Shirahone Onsen in Nagano Prefecture. Mixed-Gender Hot Springs open-air bath is cloudy and you can't see into the water, so it's great for the whole family. The scent of the hot spring wafts into the room, so it's not recommended for those who don't like the smell of sulfur, but the dinner is delicious and can be enjoyed by Japanese hearth, so it's perfect for the retro atmosphere.

Founded in 1931, this is a long-established Ryokan (Japanese inn) that represents Gero Onsen. The main building is a registered tangible cultural property, and still retains the appearance it had when it first opened. The three-story wooden building is surrounded by dense forests, creating a romantic atmosphere. The indoor baths have a retro feel with stained glass, and the open-air bath is in a tranquil environment surrounded by forest. This is the most retro Ryokan (Japanese inn) in Gero Onsen, one of Japan's three most famous historic hot springs.

I recommend Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido. It is a high-class hotel with a quiet atmosphere where adults can relax more than families with children. However, I don't recommend it in winter because the snowy roads are quite dangerous, but I think it's nice in winter too. Personally, I prefer the lush green Lake Shikotsu in summer. Lake Shikotsu Onsen is also very good, and how about relaxing after a long day of travel by enjoying music and tea while watching the sunset in the lovely salon on the second floor of the hotel...