What is SOIL Nagatoyumoto?

SOIL Nagatoyumoto is a Selected hotel located in Nagato, Japan. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does SOIL Nagatoyumoto have?

SOIL Nagatoyumoto has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is SOIL Nagatoyumoto located?

SOIL Nagatoyumoto is located in Nagato, Japan, in the Asia region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book SOIL Nagatoyumoto?

You can view more details and booking information for SOIL Nagatoyumoto through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

SOIL Nagatoyumoto | Selected in Nagato, Japan

Name: SOIL Nagatoyumoto
Address: Nagato, Asia, Japan
Rating: 4.5

Key Highlights

✓Overall, SOIL Nagatoyumoto presents itself as a highly recommended destination for travelers seeking a modern, comfortable, and culturally enriching stay in the beautiful Nagato Yumoto Onsen area.

Expert Review: SOIL Nagatoyumoto

SOIL Nagatoyumoto: A Michelin Key Selected Oasis in Nagato Yumoto Onsen

SOIL Nagatoyumoto, a Michelin Key Selected property in Nagato, Japan, offers a refreshing and immersive experience centered around its "three nurtures" philosophy: nature education, food education, and hot spring education. This stylish and newly renovated hotel, which was once the historic Ryokan Rokkakudō, has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews for its modern design, exceptional service, and integration with the charming Nagato Yumoto Onsen town.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

SOIL Nagatoyumoto consistently receives exceptional ratings, often scoring above 9 out of 10 on various platforms. Agoda.com, for instance, highlights an impressive overall rating of 9.7, with perfect scores for facilities, cleanliness, location, and staff performance. Guests frequently describe their stays as "fabulous," "outstanding," and "amazing," with a strong sentiment of wanting to return. The general consensus points to a highly satisfying and relaxing experience in a beautifully re-envisioned setting.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of SOIL Nagatoyumoto:

Exceptional Service & Staff: The young, cheerful, and welcoming staff, many of whom speak excellent English, are a recurring highlight. Their attentiveness and friendliness significantly contribute to a pleasant stay.
Modern Design & Atmosphere: The hotel's modern yet warm architecture and interior design, which beautifully blends with the surrounding nature, are highly appreciated. Rooms are described as stylish, clean, and elegant.
Access to Hot Springs & Sauna: Guests enjoy complimentary and often early access to the historic Onto Hotspring, Yamaguchi's oldest hot spring with over 600 years of history, known for its fresh, high-quality sulfuric water. The hotel also features a spectacular river-view sauna on the top floor, providing a relaxing experience with scenic views.
Unique Activities: SOIL Nagatoyumoto offers a range of activities deeply rooted in local culture and nature, such as Hagi-yaki pottery kiln tours, SUP, and forest tours, available through its activity center.
Riverside Location: The peaceful setting along the Otozure River, with rooms offering breathtaking river views and the soothing sound of flowing water, is a major draw.

3. Room Quality

The 24 guest rooms at SOIL Nagatoyumoto are described as sparkling clean, spacious, and thoughtfully designed. They feature a calm color palette, natural local materials, and furniture, with some walls intentionally left exposed to create unique design elements. Large windows showcase views of the Otozure River and the town, connecting guests to the surrounding landscape. Many rooms are equipped with luxurious bathrobes, hair dryers, coffee and tea makers, high-quality toiletries, plush linens, and soft towels. Notably, some guests appreciate the absence of a TV, which encourages a focus on relaxation and nature. Room types range from compact doubles and twins to group rooms and suites, some with river views, and even dormitory-style lodging for solo travelers.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's Italian restaurant, TARU, is highly praised for its delicious and reasonably priced food. It specializes in pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven and features seasonal ingredients, including local vegetables, seafood from the Sea of Japan, and gibier. Guests consistently rave about the taste and quality of both dinner and breakfast, with some considering it among the best pizza they've had. While breakfast is generally Western-style and delicious, it is not complimentary and some guests note it can be limited to one option. The dining ambiance is described as modern and romantic.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at SOIL Nagatoyumoto receives widespread acclaim. Staff members are consistently described as young, energetic, cheerful, polite, and extremely welcoming. Many staff speak excellent English, which is highly appreciated by international guests. They are noted for being helpful, accommodating, and going above and beyond to ensure a special and comfortable stay, from offering advice on local attractions to providing lanterns for evening strolls.

6. Location & Accessibility

SOIL Nagatoyumoto is attractively located in the heart of the Nagato-Yumoto Onsen district, nestled along the banks of the Otozure River. This peaceful setting allows for easy exploration of the walkable onsen neighborhood, which is lined with traditional inns, restaurants, and cafés. The hotel offers complimentary bicycles for guests to explore the surrounding area. Local attractions like the Kaneko Misuzu Memorial Museum and Kitanagatokaigan Quasi-National Park are easily accessible.

For transport, the hotel is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Yamaguchi Ube Airport (UBJ). Public transportation involves a bus to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, then a train to Nagato-Furuichi Station, followed by a short taxi ride, taking around 2 to 2.5 hours. Free on-site parking is available for guests.

7. Value & Pricing

While SOIL Nagatoyumoto's pricing may be higher than the average hotel room in Nagato (with twin/double rooms starting around 23,900 yen before tax), guests consistently feel the experience justifies the cost. The investment is seen as worthwhile for the unparalleled amenities, exquisite dining, rejuvenating wellness facilities, and the overall quality of the stay. The hotel offers various room configurations, including more budget-friendly dormitory-style rooms, which are also well-received. Special deals and upgrade offers are sometimes available, further enhancing value.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor points of feedback from guests include:

Limited Amenities for Women: One guest mentioned a lack of cleansing products, face wash, toner, and a limited selection of hair styling tools, wishing for more female-oriented amenities.
Onsen Etiquette/Noise: A single review mentioned a less than ideal public onsen experience due to noise from other bathers, though this seems to be an isolated incident rather than a recurring issue with the hotel itself.
Breakfast Options: While delicious, some found the paid breakfast to be limited in options.
Sauna Requirements: It is noted that swimsuits are required for the on-site sauna, which might surprise some guests, though rentals are available for a fee.
Small Portions (Italian Food): One European guest noted that the Italian dishes were "small" portions, suggesting it's cultural to share several plates.

Overall, SOIL Nagatoyumoto presents itself as a highly recommended destination for travelers seeking a modern, comfortable, and culturally enriching stay in the beautiful Nagato Yumoto Onsen area.