I visited Yuuhigaura Onsen for the second time. The first time was a day trip with my close friend from college, where we had a luxurious crab full course meal. This time, I stayed at Minori Ryokan. It is a small ryokan located in the area with larger ryokans. The exterior and interior are simple and clean, giving off a cozy vibe. The staff at the lobby were very polite and informed me about the free yukata service, which I happily took advantage of. The room was spacious for four people, but one downside was that the walls were thin, and I could hear the voices from the neighboring rooms. The dinner was served in a private room. While none of the dishes stood out as exceptionally delicious, they were all enjoyable. There were several dishes with Tajima beef, and the portion was more than satisfying. The onsen had a clean outdoor bath, and since we had it all to ourselves, we were able to relax. Despite the short preparation period and the busy holiday season, I was able to stay at Minori Ryokan for 1 night and 2 days for 15,750 yen (including Tajima beef and crab courses), which I found to be a reasonable price for the service provided. Overall, I prefer the cozy atmosphere and delicious food at the minshuku in Sato Onsen. Although I do enjoy Kinosaki Onsen, it is a bit pricier.

I went on my annual crab trip again this year. It's been 7 years already. Last year, I went to a different inn once, but I've been coming to Minori Ryokan every year. When I first came, it was 17,000 yen, but the price has been increasing every year, and this year it's 23,000 yen. We used to have the option of room service or dining, but this year there is no room service. The atmosphere is a bit different, maybe because the manager has changed. The famous sweet potato yokan that I always looked forward to is also not available this year. It has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 sunsets, but it's hard to see the sunset. The clouds blocked the view again this year. Now, it's time for dinner. A cute card is included. It's a full course meal with crab. Delicious! I'll be taking one boiled crab home. After eating the crab porridge, I was so full that I fell asleep in my room. Breakfast is served at the same table. Another card is included. While waiting for the rolled omelette, grilled fish, and miso soup, I go to get salad and pickles. The buffet style is the same as always. I always have to wait 10 minutes to get salad and pickles. It's a familiar sight, but I wish they could improve it somehow. This year, the line was in the opposite direction, so it took more time to get the vegetables and go back for dressing. If the staff could pay attention to this, it would be great. When I returned to my seat, the miso soup was already cold. But there were plenty of side dishes, and I also wanted to eat egg over rice. After getting seconds, my stomach was about to burst again. Oh, I ate too much! Sorry for the long review. I will leave comments on the photos for details of the dishes. I might change inns next year.