We had such a phenomenal stay at Fu-Sha Cottage. The owner Yoshiko is the real magic of this place; she went truly above and beyond and made our stay one of the best we had in Japan. She was communicative, helpful, and fun to be around. Her English wasn't perfect, but she really put in an earnest effort and we were able to communicate without too much of a problem. Yoshiko was even kind enough to pick us up from the train station and drive us a round to a few of the sights. She made a fantastic recommendation to a local restaurant one night, which we likely would have missed if we were traveling on our own. Her warmth and hospitality really made this stay special for us.
The property itself is small but well appointed. It's in the traditional ryokan style and located in a quiet neighbourhood by the end of town. We walked into town and to the nearby temples without issue. I estimate it was about a 15 minute or so easy walk. Every morning Yoshiko had a nice little breakfast prepared for us including fresh bread, strawberries, yogurt, and teas. There was a washing machine there too, which we found helpful being on the road. We found the pillows quite hard at Fu-Sha (traditional pillows?), but it otherwise it was a lovely stay and one we will cherish.
We would highly recommend this hotel if you're looking for a more authentic, local experience in Nikko. Thank you Yoshiko for your hospitality.