Hello!
This is writer Kim, a travel writer in Korea
Today's hotel story is about hot-springs resort in Saga Prefecture, Japan!
It is called, Furuyu Onsen Oncri
The Hot-springs Resort in Saga Prefecture Furuyu
That You Don't Want to Leave : Oncri Hot-spring
Lobby that feels more like a hotel in a city than a hot-springs resport
The first impression I had was, 'I am looking forward to this'. If I hadn't known that it was a hot-springs resort, just by looking at the hotel lobby, I would've thought that it was a metropolitan hotel chain.But because I knew it was a hot-springs resort, I was looking forward to the room and the springs even more.
The structure of the lobby was simple but unique.
It was not that big in space. Upon entrance, there was a gift shop to the left.To the right, there was a front desk and down further is a small bar and a restaurant follows.
In the front, the lobby doesn't occupy a very wide open space but structure is lengthy from left to right side.
It was a hotel with careful thoughts put into it.
Japan never seem to disappoint me.
Thoughtful Korean signs during my trip shows a great consideration towards foreigners.
Guest rooms started from the third floor. The second floor was a Japanese restaurant and a spa.
The hallway to the guest room was not so special but the hinged doors were unique. That particular Japanese ambiance created a strong first impression of the guest rooms by the hinged doors.
I walked into the guest room.
When I entered the first hinged door, there was another door to the bathroom, and another hinged door to the front.It was a door to the living room. Small glimpse of it looked cozy.
It was bigger than I thought.
It was appealing.
Most guest rooms in Japan, had confined spaces. But for Oncri, it was different.It was spacious, and the space was well used. The wide tree view by the big windows was the finest view for relaxation.
I really enjoyed it.
It was perfect.
It brought an astonishment.
It was very good.
Just by looking at it, it felt nice. I could go to the terrace and feel the fresh breeze of ocean or sit and sip on a warm tea.It was the most satisfying space of Oncri's guest room.
Way to The Big Bath
I felt needlessly excited on my way to the big bath. It was not an all gender bath but the breeze of open air on the way appealed to me in an attractive way. After relaxing in the spa, I sat on the long chair(as seen in the photo) and chatted for over one hour.
The place to the right is for foot bath. To my regret, I didn't get a chance to try it since it was late night. The best kind of hot-springs was definitely the outdoor open-air bath.
The right warmth of hot-spring water and the cool breeze wrapped around my upper body. When I subconsciously stared at the sky, I felt that that was the true happiness.Personally, I prefered the beauty of an open-air bath during the night time than the day time.
For dinner, I had Kaiseki dish
It is a must-eat dish in Japan.It's similar to the Korean Table d'hote course menu.Various kinds of food on small plates in small portions were served in order.
They were so well put.
I was a little hesitant to eat it. Every single dish has been prepared sincerely. Not necessarily the taste but rather the arrangement of food on each plate, the harmonizing colors, and eye grabbing details. I could feel how precisely it was prepared to not miss a thing.
How could it taste bad?
It was time for breakfast.
I headed to the restaurant on the first floor grabbing my hungry belly. The restaurant also had very big windows for nice view to be looked at, just like the room.
I want to revisit Oncri. It is a place of a very high cost yet worth every yen.
The cost is pretty high but I think my satisfaction will also be high. Sitting in an open-air bath all day, taking a nap, eating good food, and strolling through the countryside. Just thinking about it makes me miss the must-go hot-springs resort in Saga Prefecture.
This story is translated by 
