4-Star Hotels in Saga Prefecture, Japan

My stay at Ureshino Onsen Yoshidaya Uchiroji Hondori (also known as Yadoya Uchiroji Hondori) was a tale of two extremes in the charming hot spring town of Ureshino, Saga Prefecture. The hotel was modern Japanese-style with smart check-in system. The twin room was spacious, impeccably clean, and exude serene comfort, making it a perfect retreat. The private onsen facilities truly shine— It was a free slot with 40 mins, which could be booked once via QR Code at the room. Ureshino's famous sodium-rich hot springs, renowned as one of Japan's top three for beautifying the skin, deliver silky-smooth water that leaves you feeling rejuvenated. However, the meal plan was a major letdown. I sent an email to the hotel to confirm my booking and stated I did not eat beef before. The customer service replied I had to pay extra per person in order to change the meat option. For over JPY 38,000 per night including breakfast and dinner, we anticipated premium kaiseki cuisine or traditional served Japanese dinner set. Instead, only a bento box with cold salad and an underwhelming beef and egg pie that felt mismatched for the price. Tragically, my husband experienced vomiting shortly after, likely food-related, which overshadowed our trip. And the breakfast was also disappointing, which was only cold sandwiches with a cup of tea or milk. Thus, I strongly recommend the hotel clearly states the exact contents of dinner and breakfast plans on booking sites—including detailed menus or photos—and offers flexible options, such as plan changes or alternatives, if guests fall ill from the food. This transparency and adaptability would greatly enhance the experience and prevent frustration.

I have stayed in a Japanese style room, and it was not in a good condition: dirty walls and “tired” furniture. It is a bit far from the city center, however hotel provides shuttle service, and there’s a great pine forest nearby. They also organize socialization events, and it is nice

My partner and I stayed here. I think it would have been easier to get to if we'd had a car. The building is made of wood, and the creaking sounds as you walk around were actually quite pleasant, in a way that only a wooden building can be. The hot spring water had a wonderfully thick texture that felt great on my skin. The private onsen in our room was also fantastic, though the drainage was a bit slow. The food was delicious, and I especially loved the yudofu (boiled tofu) for breakfast. We were also very happy that we could order extra Saga beef!

Transportation is a bit inconvenient, and Google Maps has some problems. To summarize: Take JR from Hakata Station to Takeo Onsen, then take the local bus to Ureshino Onsen Bus Stop (Google Navigation takes me to the Hot Springs Retreat Center Station, but I actually got off three stops earlier, so I walked for nearly an hour), and then walk for 5 minutes. Facilities: The room is very clean, and you can make a private bath for free, with someone waiting to lead you. Service: When I arrived, the waiter already knew my name and came out to greet me. I experienced very warm service during my stay. There are few people in the town, and there is basically no information on Dianping, but the rare thing is the quietness. You can go to the surrounding Ureshino Park for a walk and enjoy the tranquility.

A great hotel with only 16 rooms. We booked 2 rooms, one with an outdoor hot spring facing the sea, and one with a bathtub. We booked a one-night stay with two nights. Dinner included large shrimps with bamboo crabs, especially the crab roe rice, which was very special. The hotel facilities are also good, the rooms are large, and there are rest areas. The only drawback is the transportation, there is no public transportation. We drove by ourselves, and the hotel could also pick us up at the nearest station on the same day.

Nicely designed hotel. But rooms are small and tight. Not easy to walk around. Location a little off the center of Saga City but lots of car parking available. Service was good and helpful. And you can even buy a fireworks and play!

Overall, I had a very pleasant experience at this hotel. It is a large hotel and the price was reasonable for the quality of the stay. The highlight for me was the cleanliness. The hotel also boasts a fantastic amenity: a rooftop onsen (hot spring). It was incredibly relaxing and offered a great way to unwind after a long day of travel. The main downside, however, was the dining options. While convenient, both the breakfast and dinner buffets were quite expensive. There are probably more affordable local options nearby if you are looking to save on meals.

The tatami room has a large square window, offering a landscape view like a traditional Chinese painting. It was very pleasant to drink tea and chat while enjoying the scenery. Environment: A pristine natural environment. However, there are no restaurants, convenience stores, or anything else nearby... basically nothing. It's truly a resort-style stay at the hotel itself. Service: Great! Check-in was very comfortable. A butler escorted us to the lobby to relax, offered coffee and candies, and then took us to our room.

This is my third time in Ureshino. I stayed at a different ryokan in Kaki, and this one was great value for the price. We booked a room with breakfast included but no dinner, and everyone in my group was very satisfied. The staff were friendly, and the room was clean for the price. The only downsides were that the private bath was a bit expensive and the tatami mats felt a bit old. However, the hot spring water is truly Ureshino quality; it is the best. The surrounding environment is also wonderful for a walk. There is a Totorogi park, so I highly recommend it if you want a relaxing trip. However, food options are somewhat lacking. Since the shops are small, they fill up quickly. Reservations are a must, haha.

I recommend staying in the East Wing; it's newer. There are so many activities available, remember to bring your swimsuit! On the 8th floor, there's an open-air hot spring pool. On the 2nd floor, the relaxation area has four saunas; follow the marked order and timings for a full 26-minute session. At 3 PM, there's a complimentary welcome cake in the hotel lobby. Both the included dinner and breakfast are buffet-style and the food was plentiful and delicious.