This is probably the closest hotel to the temples but a 10 minute cab ride from the station. It is a historic landmark being the oldest western style hotel in Japan and the walls are decorated with photos of past guests (Ulysses S Grant, Indira Gandhi, Eisenhower). In consequence, it's a rabbit warren of corridors and levels. I requested a quiet room with an open view and that is exactly what I got. It was in a connected annex maybe some 40 years old, but perfect for a quiet stay. The room was very large, with unusually a full length bath, and a Nespresso machine. The bar is very very atmospheric and has a massive selection of whiskies (Scotch and Japanese). Breakfast is available as either Japanese or Western. The latter is extremely well done and very welcome.

A large newer (though still old) part of the hotel is being extensively renovated. I cannot speak to how it will reappear but this being Japan all the work is conducted almost silently! The restaurant is mostly set meals and quite expensive. The nearest restaurants close early and are quite specialised except for a very good pizza lunch restaurant up the road near the Imperial Villa. In addition the cottage branch of the hotel in a similar location offers a good range of light lunches.

The staff were really friendly, polite and helpful, and I really liked the creaky old-ness to the place. Theres a small gallery behind reception showing some of the hotel's history and notable guests who've stayed over the years. Yes the rooms in the main building are tired but the original features (windows, shutters, heaters) just take you back in time. The bathroom was modern and clean with loads of amenities. You don't need to book the shuttle bus, I learnt. Just be at the stop 5-10 minutes beforehand. Would I stay here again? Yes. Would I recommend to a friend Yes. Is the hill to the hotel from the main road a good cardio workout? Yes.

The only thing I would ask for is a bit more variety at breakfast: both days I stayed was the same cooked breakfast with toast, bread, and a random salad. All lovely, but some fruit, pastries and yoghurt would also go down well!

I loved my stay at Nikko Kanaya. First, there is a complimentary shuttle to pick you up from the train station (only a few pick-ups so you might want to schedule your train accordingly); otherwise city bus will drop you off but you will have to walk up a slightly long driveway. You are greeted by the nicest staff; everyone was such a delight! I stayed in the older part of the hotel, and it is old. (I heard that they renovated one building, but pretty expensive). I had room 54 - paid $369 for 2 nights - included a western breakfast, and dinner. Great deal! My room was spacious and had beautiful views. There is a slight odor, and I thought it might be musty, but I was in a wood shop later on in my stay and recognized it to be the same smell. So there is a "woodsy" odor; the floor seemed to slightly slant, but it didn't bother me in the least. The breakfast is a Western style breakfast - you can order traditional Japanese breakfast 24 hours in advance, at at addt'l price; the dinner was absolutely amazing - 5 courses and just beautiful The history of the hotel is displayed throughout, and it is an amazing story. So many dignitaries have visited here. Great location - directly next to Shinkyo Bridge - I walked to the Shrines/Temple from the hotel - bus picks you up in front of the hotel if heading to Lake Chuzenji. I would definitely return - lovely!!

Great staffs, very attentive and helpful, their English is pretty good, too. We stayed in the Annex Wing, which is the renovated one. The building looks old but the room is very well-equipped with modern facilities. The room is also very clean and spacious. The window offered us a peaceful view over the front yard of the hotel with mountains in the back and autumn foliage. Our booking includes breakfast and dinner. Both are delicious with fresh ingredients. The menu is a bit limited though, in terms of variety of food, and we need to pay extra for some dishes. Still, we were happy with the size of the portions and quality of food. Last but not least, PERFECT location: just next to Shinkyo Bridge and a few steps away from the main Shrines. We could visit all of the main attractions on foot. There are also bus stops in front of the hotel, from which we can go to Chuzenji Lake as well as Nikko station. Overall, we enjoyed our stay a lot and felt very welcomed at Nikko Kanaya Hotel.

Nothing.

Spent two nights there solo and had a really good stay. The location is unbeatable, situated right next to Shinkyo Bridge and Nikko National Park, which allowed me to visit before the crowds arrived. The view from both the dining hall and my room was nice. Breakfast and dinner (especially the Halloween menu) was excellent. The staff were very nice and accommodating.

The room was a bit dated and the walk up the steep hill to the hotel was a little daunting, especially after a long day of hiking around Nikko (...it was good exercise though!). Despite these minor issues, I enjoyed my stay and would visit here again.

This is a historical hotel that has retained the old-world charm in the building we were in, which was the old renovated building. We heard however that the main building where the hotel reception and restaurant are housed was not satisfactory from other guests who were staying there.

The hotel did not offer choices in the types of dinner guests could have. They only offered French, western menu, which were elegant in presentation and tasteful. However, when one stays in a Japanese hotel, it is expected that one could have a Japanese dinner! This was a great disappointment for us! They do offer choices for breakfasts.

Loved the location - right BY the famous bridge and wallking to all the famous temples! Loved walking to various temples at all times of the day. It's location by the river and bridge is wonderful. Also loved the rich history of this hotel - we didn't know this before we arrived but Einstein, Helen Keller, Eleanor Rooservelt, and many other famous people of the world have stayed here. The garden is pretty and dinning room very classy although we didn't dine there, we opted for the delicious local cruisines offered by local restaurants. The rooms were simple but large, we had a lot of space to lounge around, or open the floor to ceiling curtain and enjoy the views into the garden. One of the nights there was thunder and lighening, we just open the curtains, turn off the lights, and enjoyed a spectacular lightening show. (we came from a place with no such storms:-)

Nothing, really. As with other local hotels, the English is a bit limited with some staff. But we were able to use Google translate and got what we asked for (which is bug spray, they let guest borrow it for the day, which we needed to hike in the beautiful Nikko National Park)

this is a very beautiful hotel dating back to the beginning of the 1890s. We stayed in the same room that Albert Einstein stayed in. It was very beautiful room. The hotel is like a museum . The staff are very friendly and the service level is high and professional. We also had a nice dinner at the restaurant as well and the american breakfast is also very nice. There are lots of old photos and furniture all over the hotel that teach all about it's history and prolific guests.

we had some trouble figuring out the heating in the room. But we got there in the end.

One of my best experiences in Japan. + Big room (especially for Japan), our room was in the Annex, which seems refurbished + Great breakfast (and great breakfast), be sure to pay the small extra for the Japanese breakfast. We also had dinner... Exquisite + Fantastic garden with a nice panorama of the mountains around Nikko + You're just next to the area with all the temples, so the perfect spot for sightseeing Value was very good for the price but I suspect it was because the off season

Everything was perfect

Absolutely exceptional. The history almost jumps at you through the walls. The staff were kind and attentive. Apparently Japanese people come here just to take photos and tours of the hotel. Everything was beautiful, elegant, and definitely one of the highlights of our trip to nikko The snow made everything even more magical.

The bar was mediocre, quite expensive given what it is and sadly there where no vegetarian options in the meals at all even though they smelled and looked incredible.