The origins of the ryokan stretch back to the Kamakura period about 700 years ago, with the local hot springs bringing in people from all over Japan seeking a place to relax or seek natural treatment. Initially, the first inn to be founded on this site was Rokuzo Ryokan, which was the name of the ryokan for years to come. It wasn't until the Taisho period in 1895 that the ryokan changed its name to Kansui-ro, meaning ‘a tower surrounded by greenery,’ thanks to visiting poet Chiba Taneaki, which ended up becoming its new name that has lasted until the present day.

Around this time, the main structures were renovated and rebuilt for newer generations of visitors, and since then, the ryokan remained true to its roots in terms of its aesthetics and its purpose. In 2023, the ryokan would also have its Tangible Cultural Properties renovated. Even the surrounding greenery serves as a testament to the enduring heritage of the ryokan, with both the buildings and the trees surviving together through the Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras.

The design of Kansuirou Ryokan’s main building embodies traditional Japanese architecture, with wooden structures and tiled roofs evoking the Taisho period. Despite the passage of time, the ryokan has been maintained, with each room having its unique design and theme, some after a specific period theme.

Inside the ryokan, guests can find a blend of traditional Japanese and Western features. Western furniture and seating arrangements in communal areas, while corridors and rooms retain shoji screen windows and doors. Its luxurious rooms offer visitors the opportunity to take outdoor baths designed in the conventional Japanese arrangement. Some themed rooms would feature Western-style beds while others retain traditional futon bedding.

Guests looking for more modern amenities inside their accommodations can expect free internet access, air conditioning, and LCD TVs. Modern kitchens and toilets are also more generally expected in the rooms, with features like refrigerators, microwaves, and dryers available.

Dining at Kansuirou Ryokan is a delightful culinary experience, highlighting the various local and seasonal natural bounties of Niigata. Guests can expect Japanese staples of seafood, meat, vegetables, sake, and the specialty Koshihikari rice grown in Niigata, and would be served depending on which specific meal plan they choose during reservation.

Breakfast
Breakfast features a kaiseki meal of local countryside vegetables, rice, and some meat, with soy milk for drinks.

Serving hours: 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Dinner
The kaiseki meals served for dinner vary on a seasonal basis, depending on the availability of local ingredients and the tastes of customers. A regularly available meal plan centered on vegetables and shrimp, without meat, is offered for those with vegetarian diets.

Serving hours: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Another featured meal plan highlights high-end Doro fish and Niigata Hawakai beef, for an overall of nine dishes. In spring (weekdays in February and March), women are offered a special Hinamatsuri meal, featuring various sweets and delicacies. Meanwhile, guests can enjoy a special seasonal meal plan with wild vegetables and bamboo shoots from mid-April to mid-May.

Kansuirou Ryokan offers immersive amenities, including emerald-green hot spring baths, with indoor and open-air options, and access to the long-established Murasugi Onsen. The hot springs and baths are ideally effective for those dealing with gout, or even for those with arteriosclerotic or gynecological issues.

For those wanting to know more about the area, Agano has plenty of places for such experiences. The Agano City History and Folk Museum showcases centuries-old artifacts, while the Yoshida Togo Memorial Museum features the life and works of architect Yoshida Togo. A more hands-on experience awaits those who may wish to visit the Suibara Magistrate’s Office, a faithful reconstruction of the offices where the local magistrate once administered the area and organized local rice tax collection.

For those with wider interests, Agano also houses the Northern Culture Museum, which contains about 6,000 varieties of antiques from Japan, Korea, and China collected by the Ito family. The locale measures 3 hectares in size, with 65 rooms, and year-round scenic views thanks to its lotus and cherry-blossom gardens.