Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa Mori no Uta

Top of the list is the staff's attentiveness to details. A bellhop was on hand to assist with luggage the moment we drove into the driveway and parked the car. Checking in was a breeze as everything was ready, and we were escorted to our room. They remembered what we had enquired about and made sure we were attended to the rest of the stay without further asking, like placing pepper and hot sauce on the table for my husband each time. The resort was designed like a home, with bookshelves and a fireplace in the lobby, surrounded by comfy sofa and cushions. We could even toast marshmallows. There were regular live music performances, by a harpist and a guitarist when we were there. The listening corner had a superb sound system. The bedroom was well furnished, and we had sakura tea, a coffee machine with capsules, and hotel-made pastries. The dinner and breakfast buffets were sumptious, with a choice of international, chinese and japanese cuisine. The desserts were especially good. For dinner on 2nd night, we were served a special main course and dessert. A family of deers and a racoon from the mountain behind the resort joined us for dinner the 2nd night. The onsen has 5 baths, indoor and outdoor, and is exclusive. It never felt crowded. The Hot Stone in the women's spa was also good. The resort is easy to get to, just turn in from Highway 230 and we found enough things to do around the region. The 2 water dams are worth a visit. Overall, time slows down, and the mind and body relaxes.

The onsen baths are all equally hot; a tad too hot to soak comfortably. It was also lacking a jet-bubble bath.

The onsens were brilliant, several different pools and all spotless and very warm and relaxing. The meals were a mixture of Western and Japanese and so catered for all tastes, and there was an immense variety of different foods on offer. We liked the harp player in the evenings.

We did not like the automatic light in our bedroom loo which was unnecessarily bright and came on whenever you entered the bathroom at night, thus disturbing both you and your partner. The spa pyjamas were a horrible lime green and not particularly comfortable - all other Spa hotels we stayed at in Japan had much better quality pyjamas. We did not like the cover charge merely for entering the bar in the evening after 8.00pm, and therefore never went in - unheard of to charge for this, we felt. And the bar was shut between 6 and 8pm, also not helpful. Jozankei itself is not very exciting, obviously a purpose-built resort, but fine for a couple of days.

A great breakfast and dinner buffet setup, a large room, great onsen, right where you want to be in Jozankei, there is very little to complain about! The staff are very professional and are very organized. During the buffet they guide you so you know how the flow should be and the usual chaos you see is pretty much nonexistent. The onsen facility contains both indoor and outdoor pools and both were fantastic. Right behind the hotel is a beautiful mountain view that i gorgeous in the snowtime.

There are only two thing I didn't like - the shower was much too weak (all water seemed to be, an economical thing I am guessing). The other issue was very minor, only that the wifi is INCREDIBLY weak with extremely high ping for being a hotel - My tests showed 3 mb/s and 160 ping.

Wonderful experience! The staff were attentive and helpful The rooms are clean and comfortable. Buffet breakfast and dinner were great A major highlight were the fresh seafood served every meal. Onsen was big, clean and the outside onsen was heavenly. Overall the ambiance was cosy and zen. It's great for relaxation. Highly recommended.

This was amazing. Perfect to relax and wear pyjamas everywhere to onsen and meals. Kitchen was amazing as was skiing at nearby kokusai.i would happily return

These are minor but a queen bed would have been great. Japan also has segregation by gender in the spa which is advisable when you are naked but not that romantic

Dinner and onsen are just so nice. Especially the moment that you step into the cafeteria with the snowy scenery outside.

Forgot to book the shuttle bus going there in advance. The public bus took about 1 hour, without seats.

Friendly staff, most of them can communicate in English. various facilities and places like sauna, onsen, spa…etc. Nice grilled mash mallow and restaurants

The staff at the onsen was excellent! Very friendly, helpful, and made us feel special. Artists were there on 2 separate occasions playing music in the evening in the lobby. It was nice to sit and listen.

Took us awhile to get to the hotel.

Staff - friendly and efficient Buffet dinner- top notch! Food was fresh, delicious and clean tasting Rooms- huge and well appointed Extras - violin & guitar live performance, s’mores at the fireplace

Check out time is too early (10am) while check in time seems late (3pm)

The view from the private onsen in winter is spectacular. The complimentary pudding dessert was very nice.

The shower area is outside the room which makes it very cold if you just want a shower without going into the onsen in winter.