Yufuin Ryokan ‘Ikkouten’ Review

Hi, today I’ll be writing about my one-night stay at Ikkouten, a ryokan in Yufuin.

Location & Access

Row of standalone private villas at Ikkouten ryokan near Yufuin Station

Ikkouten is less than a 10-minute taxi ride from Yufuin Station, making it very convenient to reach.
When you pull up to the property, a row of standalone villas stretches out like a small village of its own.

Room Review

Ikkouten private villa interior showing spacious living area with sofa, dining table, and contemporary decor

We checked into a 2.5-storey private villa. The room has a private outdoor bath and a modern, contemporary design.
Everything in the minibar — beer, soft drinks, and more — is complimentary.
The living area has a sofa large enough for two people to sleep on, along with a dining table and chairs for the whole group.

View of Yufuin greenery and garden from the villa dining table window

The view from the dining table.

Second floor bedroom in Ikkouten villa with two beds and mezzanine level above

Head up to the second floor and you’ll find two beds. Just beyond, a mezzanine-like 2.5th floor offers sleeping space for two more.
On the 1.5th floor — just off the staircase — there’s another room, also with two beds.

1.5th floor bedroom in Ikkouten villa with two beds

The 1.5th floor room.

Ikkouten villa private outdoor bath and shower room

Inside the villa there’s a private outdoor bath alongside a full shower room, and a spacious powder room just outside the shower area.

Sunset view along the path to the kaiseki dining room at Ikkouten ryokan

Heading out for the kaiseki dinner after a soak in the outdoor bath — the sunset views along the way were stunning.

Kaiseki Dinner

Private kaiseki dining room at Ikkouten ryokan with traditional Japanese setting

Dinner is served not in the villa itself but in a separate private dining room.

Blankets laid out in kaiseki dining room at Ikkouten for guest comfort

Blankets were laid out inside the dining room — a thoughtful touch.

Kaiseki dinner menu card at Ikkouten ryokan showing the evening's courses

Tonight’s menu.

Kaiseki starter course with sesame tofu and salmon roe at Ikkouten

The Japanese home-style starters I love — sesame tofu and salmon roe were standouts.

Sashimi course with tuna, sea bream, and squid at Ikkouten kaiseki dinner

Tuna, sea bream, and squid sashimi.

Wagyu steak course served at Ikkouten kaiseki dinner

Wagyu steak.

Seasonal fruit dessert course at Ikkouten kaiseki dinner

Seasonal fruit.

Overall the flavors leaned bold, with a clear focus on seafood.
The tuna, sea bream, and squid sashimi melted on the tongue, and the wagyu was silky smooth.

Kaiseki Breakfast

Ikkouten kaiseki breakfast setup with multiple traditional Japanese dishes

Ikkouten kaiseki breakfast main dish — salmon steak with rice, miso soup, and seasonal sides

Breakfast was straightforward — salmon steak with rice, miso soup, and seasonal side dishes.
Nothing flashy, but solid and satisfying.

Outdoor Communal Onsen

Ikkouten outdoor communal hot spring with scenic views of the surrounding landscape

Before checkout, we stopped by the outdoor communal hot spring.
We didn’t have much time to linger, but the views were genuinely beautiful.

That wraps up my stay at Ikkouten Ryokan in Yufuin.

Summary

  • Spacious, spotlessly clean accommodation.
  • The minibar was stocked with yogurt, tea, beer, and more — all complimentary.
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