Nikko Senhime Monogatari

We enjoyed a Mutsuki kaiseki dinner at Senhime Monogatari, a Japanese-style inn nestled right next to Nikko Toshogu Shrine. During this chilly winter season, enjoying dinner at a hot spring inn in the warmth of a Japanese-style room was truly a blissful experience. The colorful appetizer platter was a feast for the eyes, like a winter jewel box. The aperitif, the "Senhime-style Original Cocktail," was particularly impressive. Its subtle sweetness and acidity quenched the thirst and provided a gorgeous start to the feast. The clear soup, made with cod wrapped in kelp, was as gentle as light snow. The sashimi platter included three types of sashimi, and the medium fatty tuna in particular was rich and smooth, melting in the mouth. Even for a skinny, small eater like me, this was bliss! The main course, shabu-shabu, featured a stunning marriage of the melt-in-your-mouth Tochigi beef fat and the tomato-based broth. We were also impressed by the playful touch of adding risotto to finish the hot pot, giving it a Western flavor. This is truly a dish that can be described as "twice as delicious!" The tilefish in Nanban sauce is vibrantly colored with paprika, with an exquisite balance of gentle acidity and dashi. Furthermore, the Nikko specialty, yuba (bean curd skin) seasoned with Nara tea, has a gentle flavor that will make you forget the winter chill. To finish, we had a three-piece set of seafood rice, red miso soup, and pickles, just like the "ideal Japanese winter set." Even dessert warmed our hearts and stomachs. More than being extravagant, this kaiseki cuisine shines with its thoughtful attention to detail. This is the true joy of a hot spring banquet.

This hot spring inn is perfectly located right next to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, making it extremely convenient as a base for sightseeing. The World Heritage Site is within walking distance, and the flexible parking arrangements before and after check-in made sightseeing easy, which was a plus. The staff were polite and friendly, and their attention to detail was evident everywhere, making for a high-quality service. The rooms were clean and spacious, allowing guests to relax while enjoying the riverside scenery. The large public bath and hot spring facilities were also comfortable, allowing for a truly relaxing stay. Both dinner and breakfast were high-quality Japanese meals, and the ability to enjoy them in a private room or relaxing space was a plus. As a hot spring inn, we were very satisfied with this stay, and would recommend it for family trips, couples' trips, and sightseeing. It was an inn we would definitely like to return to.

The staff were very polite, and I had a great impression of them from the first day of my stay. On the last day, when I went out to leave my luggage and went back to borrow a place to repack, the front desk staff reminded us that there was a shuttle bus to the station and waited for us so that we wouldn't have to squeeze onto the bus. After we got on the bus, the staff waved to us from the door. I was so touched.