How to book hotel rooms in Nyuto Onsen?

Hi, it seems very difficult to book hotel rooms in Nyuto Onsen, namely Tsurunoyu, Taenoyu and Kuroyu.

Some of their websites don't seem to be working, especially the reservation pages.

Is calling them directly better?

Thank you.

Calling always works best, assuming you can communicate in Japanese.

Tsurunoyu accepts reservations by phone from half a year in advance, starting on the 1st of each month for the entire month.

Or through the Hito Mamoru Kai website (although looking at the website, I doubt that it works as there are no listings for the entire Tohoku region on many days):
http://www.hitou.or.jp/en/index.html

Another alternative is always Japanese Guesthouses:
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/

Taenoyu is by phone or e-mail:
http://www.taenoyu.com/

They also have a Japanese online system:
http://www.jhpds.net/taenoyu/uw/uwp3100/uww3101.do?yadNo=368565

The English version of Rakuten lists it but I am wondering whether they have actually rooms allocated for it:
http://travel.rakuten.com/hotel/Japan-Akita-Semboku_Nyuto_Onsenkyo_Tae...

Kuroyu is by phone or the following Japanese online service:
https://www3.yadosys.com/reserve/ja/room/list/015/fchigledclfefaedhkhi...

Again, if you don't speak Japanese, I recommend Japanese Guesthouses:
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/

Is calling them directly better?

Last year I called this number " 0187-46-2139" for TSURUNOYU room reservation, and was doubtful if it would be fruitful as I do not speak Japanese. To my delight a lady who answered the phone spoke English. A reservation was completed in no time.