hawaiiantraveler

Eks,
Omaru Onsen Ryokan is fantastic and only 90 minutes out of Tokyo. Since the years since this thread was started we have been to both Chojukan and Osenkaku. I have written reviews in my trip reports here, check 12/3 entry for Chojukan and 12/27 entry for a very good Omaru Onsen Ryokan:

http://tiny.cc/v39yz

entry April 28-29 here for Osenkaku review

http://tiny.cc/vhtfp

Bottom line is don't think I would do Chojukan again. I would definitely do Osenkaku again and am planning something at Omaru Onsen in the near future. We were actually planning to go there in the fall but will wait till next year for that as plans have changed due to the tsunami. JGH does not list Omaru Onsen anymore but you can book them thru here or call direct
http://www.ryokan.or.jp/english/03/02.html

From Nasushiobara(just north of Nikko) you can take the scenic drive on the Romantic Road all the way to Nagano with onsen stops all along the way. Fall season is the best for this.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7450.html

There are also tons of ryokan in the Hakone area. What are your requirements of expectations for a ryokan?

Aloha!

Paulo59

Eks I cannot comment on others experience at Hoshi but we had an absolutely wonderful time and found very few tourists at all there. Of course, we went in November which was a wonderful time to be there to soak in the onsen while it was cold outside. I liked both Chojukan and Osenkaku for totally different reasons but both have a very rustic, rural feeling. I know others prefer more modern spa-like onsen styles but we just loved feeling so removed in such a beautiful place. Osenkaku has the most stunning rotenburo. I will never forget my evening and morning there in the rotenburo by the running stream in a really beautiful setting. Chojukan I liked because the buildings and overall site of the ryokan was stunning. I believe HT did not like the men's bath, which I actually thought was cool, but to each his own. I would note that there is a separate smaller rotenburo at Chojukan which I believe is really only open to women.
Here's my photos of osenkaku most are of the rotenburo and surrounds:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1060265...D9k8qk5qmP1gE#
Here's Chojukan:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1060265...z2htvU9uOlnwE#

And BTW we booked several of our hotels and ryokan on our last japan trip through Japanican.com
They often offer discounts and you can pay by credit card!
I believe JGH requires cash.

Have a wonderful trip.