I have very mixed views of this place. So let’s start with the positives and then some recommendations so you don’t make mistake I made when booking. Firstly the staff here are the best. We’ve never experienced such attention to every last detail. This was a truly personalised experience and we really appreciated it. The food was Michelin quality served in our own private dining room. We stayed 3 nights, ate dinner twice with 2 Japanese breakfasts and one Western. The entire ryokan was spotless and that extended to our living quarters. The experience is very traditional and if you’re a bit of a pampered Westerner like me, you’ll miss the finer detail of accommodation. My wife on the other hand, a manga fanatic was truly immersed in the tradition. And this is where the review differs. Our room (suite) was in the old wing. There is only a toilet and small wash basin. Sleeping is (for me) a less than comfortable futon on the floor. It’s not that I mind sleeping on the floor but I’d expect in the 21st century the futon would provide the support of a mattress. It didn’t and I had to pile futons on blankets on duvets to have a comfortable sleep. There is also nothing more basic than a shower. To have to go down to the communal baths to just wash my hair (I didn’t) was for me not acceptable. So if you have similar views on basic amenities to me, make sure you book a room in the more modern additions were I understand they have showers and private outdoor baths too. If we stayed again I would pay more attention to the type of room, but at more than 300€ a night I expected the smallest detail of a shower. Also if you’re over 1.75m (5’10”) you’ll need to mind your head everywhere. I didn’t and grouched because of it. |So all in all from 3 days I went from hating the idea to accepting the accommodation and loving the hospitality. You can do th3 same if you pick carefully your choice of room.