With views of famous Dogo Onsen, this ryokan is central but also feels private. The tatami rooms, art, and generous refreshing welcome drinks (orange juice from the region or tea) and yokan snack where a wonderful summer welcome for our party. The onsens feel quiet and have an option of indoor or outdoor onsen, and the beer on tap outside the onsen is a luxury! The breakfast was held for our party of 6 in a private, beautifully lit room and was delicious. Everyone was kind and welcoming, a wonderful traditional stay in Matsuyama. We had outside yukata we could wear around the area and have access to a sister onsen nearby, too.

We loved our four day stay in Yamatoya Besso. The onsen was fabulous. We had it to ourselves. The staff was super attentive especially Midori who speaks excellent English but everyone was wonderful. Breakfast was amazing. The location was superb, close to Matsuyama Castle, shopping, cafes, restaurants, and a short train ride to all the local sites. We look forward to returning to Yamatoya Besso.

There wasn't much of a lobby or a common place to hang out but it wasn't a problem.

Beautiful traditional ryokan with an incredible room and private onsen bath Kimonos provided for the whole family, adding to the authentic experience Exceptional Japanese dinner and breakfast Warm, heartfelt welcome and outstanding service — the lady who served us was especially sweet and attentive

It was on the pricey side — but absolutely worth it

The decoration inside the room is wonderful, kind of like an Art Gallery right inside your room, attached photos are the decorating corner right inside our guest room this time. Although the hotel is a three-storey modern building with lift access to each floor, yet the interior decoration of guest room remain in traditional Japanese style. For anyone who knows kanji, one can easily appreciate they named the guest rooms in a poetic manner. All rooms in 1st floor use name of flower with only one kanji characters; rooms in 2nd floor use two kanji characters name; while the rooms in 3rd floors use three kanji characters name. This definitely provide a bonus poetic feeling for travelers. The breakfast is very nice, and served at your room at agreed schedule.

Would be nice if the bath tube could be bigger.

Yamatoya Besso is a very exceptional place where you get to experience a ryokan in an amazing onsen. The staff is exceptionally kind and helpful. I am hoping to visit again in the future and if I do, that would be a third visit.

Absolutely nothing.

A traditional Japanese onsen with all the modern conveniences woven in. The staff was exceptionally helpful and caring. When we came by taxi, we were surprised that the taxi driver would not take a credit card, and explained the problem to the staff, who promptly paid the driver with cash, just adding that to our bill. An early morning dip in the onsen was divine, and the dinner superb. This is a 10+ place to stay.

Nothing, truly.

The best stay we have had in Japan. From start to finish it was amazing. Out of this world staff who went above and beyond to make our stay memorable. Food was a big highlight and the dinner service was fantastic. Lovely onsens with free beer and ice cream.

Nothing!

The place was so nice it was like being in a movie. There are very few guests so it is very quiet and I had the ofuro all to myself twice. The food both dinner and breakfast was beyond anything we have ever had. Took a ton of pictures.

We thoroughly enjoyed the whole stay experience.

Property was flexible in accomodating a late arrival (9 PM, two hours after normal cutoff); rooms were spacious and the rooms were comfy; amenities were complete and the food was extremely delicious. Staff were very helpful (including trying to contact a drug store late night in order to procure distilled water for my CPAP).

The futon base could stand to be a bit softer.

Extraordinarily beautiful and well appointed traditional rooms. Location superb. The onsen was quiet and the after bathing beer on tap and ice cream in wooden boxes so luxe. I will stay here again. Service and food was exceptional.

No negatives at all.