October 12, 2016



As the group leader, I had the privilege of choosing our room first. I opted for room 703, which offered stunning views of the city of Kinugawa. The rate was 2,955 yen, with an exchange rate of 34.83 on the day of our visit. I hope you don't mind me choosing first, as I did a lot of research beforehand... This is my reward!


Our accommodation for the night was the Hotel Otaki Nikko in Nikko. This special hotel provided a warm and authentic Japanese welcome, making the cold night feel cozy. The staff was excellent, the amenities were top-notch, the rooms were spacious, and there was ample parking. The only minor drawback was the limited English proficiency, but that's understandable. My hands are tired from typing! 555+

Hotel Ootaki

Nestled amidst lush greenery, Hotel Ootaki features Japanese-style rooms with private bathrooms and gardens. It is a 15-minute walk from Tobu Kinugawa Onsen Station. Ootaki Hotel is 10 minutes from Tobu World Square amusement park, 15 minutes from Nikko Edo Mura historical park, and 45 minutes from Edelweiss Ski Resort by car.

Guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor hot spring baths with nature views at the affiliated Ootaki Hotel (free shuttle service available). Amenities at Hotel Ootaki include a drinks vending machine and free parking. Rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors, Japanese futon bedding, a seating area with a table and chairs, an LCD TV, a refrigerator, a safe, a yukata robe, and a private bathroom with a bathtub and toiletries. Guests can book meals upon check-in. The affiliated hotel (a few minutes away by free shuttle) offers a buffet of Japanese and Western cuisine. Credit http://www.booking.com

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From Nikko, a World Heritage Site, we had lunch around 2:30 PM. Are you hungry yet?
Lunch in the late afternoon and the weather started to get cold because it was almost 4 PM. We ate at a restaurant near the parking lot where our group parked the car, as promised. "You can park here, but you have to eat at my restaurant," said the owner.

Eel rice bowl, over 1700 yen, requested by my husband. I've been wanting to try the original after drooling over it on TV shows. It comes as a set with hot soup, perfect for the cold weather.

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After a late lunch, we drove to our accommodation in the Kinugawa area, famous for its onsen. Our guide followed our request for accommodation, but the onsen was not possible because the price would jump significantly. In conclusion, Hotel Otaki was the perfect accommodation for our group.
The author accepted this... because they had secretly done their homework and knew that although there was no natural open-air bath, there was a private Japanese-style hot spring bath that we could try.
The author was so accepting that... while the group went shopping, they stayed behind to soak up the atmosphere of the accommodation. They changed their clothes and took pictures around the area, then checked out the hot spring bath.

There is a small Japanese garden, but it lacks care.

It was a night when the author had no idea that the next day, the Thai people would no longer have their king. The moon that night is still remembered.

The light is fading, let's find shelter and warmth.

Take photos!

Yukata sets are available in various sizes. You can also pick up your own shoes, towels, face towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and combs here. I love it!
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As for the rooms,

Infatuated

The hotel provides an abundance of blankets in the closet, along with numerous spare pillows.
Although the heater is somewhat outdated, it adds a vintage charm to the room.

Hotel Otaki - Kinugawa - Nikko

Some people are crazy about Legos, huh?

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The bathroom, shower room, and mini kitchen are located in the center of the room.

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After taking photos to our heart's content, the cool evening air signaled it was time for a bath. We took the elevator down to the reception counter, where they showed us the different rooms. After agreeing on a price, we went to soak in the hot spring.

Our Hot Springs

Can you read any of these kanji characters?
Not at all. I'm just "guessing" until I get them right.

Uh oh, I see you.

The hotel and this person left a lasting impression. Despite the cold, they refused to leave and continued to play.
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Thank you for stopping by.