Some sights and scenes never fail to impress me, no matter how many times I've stood in exactly the same place. Maybe it's also because I know in advance what to expect and usually I won't be disappointed.

This is exactly how I feel about this one hotel in Higashiyama, in the mountains around Aizu Wakamatsu, which I have passed by several times now. The hotel consists of a very traditional-looking complex of buildings that seem to be quite intertwined. And even if it may not appear so at first glance, this is a hotel in the higher price and performance class, which we have unfortunately not yet had the pleasure of staying in.

Nevertheless, I always like to stop here and to take a look at this interesting and so very Japanese hotel on the other side of the small mountain stream.

At our last stop, it was quite rainy and the weather was not exactly inviting. But I still took the opportunity to take a few photos and document the fact that we had once again passed this very spot.

Even though it's not really on my bucket list, but I would of course be delighted to stay there a night or two. I am also quite curious to see what great food and dishes are served there and, above all, what the onsen looks like.

Because this hotel also has its own hot spring bath, which is only available to its own guests. And taking a warm and relaxing bath on such a wet and cold autumn day is a very special luxury that not only the Japanese want to indulge in these days. I too have come to know and appreciate the benefits and amenities of an onsen and would love to relax in a hot spring bath again.

But well, that's probably not going to happen today. But nevertheless, from time to time we are all are allowed to dream a little and pictures like these are just perfect for that. By the way, the scenery around this hotel looks even better with a little snow, but I'll probably show you a few pictures of that on another occasion....