Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki — Hotel in Aizuwakamatsu

Loved this ryokan/hotel. It's over 100 years old and the Japanese hospitality here is wonderful. Less snobbish than the other ryokan we stayed at the night before (Shousuke No Yado Takinoyu). It is also incredibly charming and a book lover's and onsen lover's dream. It has 2 onsen baths and 2 library nooks with a free coffee and tea area so you can curl up with a hot cup of herbal tea and read a book in a cosy seat. It's quiet, lots of seating and warm. The onsens were warmer and cleaner than Shosuke. I enjoyed the onsen on level 2 the most. Level 10 had a great view at night, but I preferred the smaller & cosier onsen on level 2. Both onsens are wonderful - the water is much warmer than Shosuke which I preferred. The rooms were just as spacious and better designed with ample space for shoes and baggage. We stayed in room 616. The futons and pillows were easily the most comfortable we have had in Japan. Very warm all night in the middle of winter. Heated air con did not dry us out. Kaiseki dinner and breakfast are also 5 stars. Kaiseki quality beat previous ryokans we've stayed at - generous portions and selections - Fukushima beef, 1-day miso marinated fish, seasonal entrees and desserts were numerous (7 entrees and 3 desserts). They went over and above. Breakfast had more choice than Shousuke and included Western pastries. I'd stay here again in a heart...

The rooms I first booked turned out to not have any showers. There didn't even appear to be showers on the same floor. I asked for a change to rooms with showers and for an extra £50 we were moved up to the 8th floor to Japanese style rooms.||||Although advertised as a restaurant and bar onsite, there was no dinner available (perhaps it was out of season). The closest place we could find was a small Japanese cafe with pretty average food, but it was at least good value. ||||The bar is described as a "Sake Museum" and supposed to open at 8.30pm, but by 8.45 it still was not open with no one in sight so we didn't bother to wait around.||||Breakfast is ok.||||The hotel, although large, is cozy. The Japanese style rooms are comfortable, with lovely warm bedding and soft pillows. The view of the valley from the room was good.||||My bathroom didn't feel particularly clean and it smelt a bit.||||There are 2 Onsen, one on the 2nd or 3rd floor (I can't remember) and one on the top floow. The views from the top floor are stunning and it really was a great experience watching the sun set over the valley from the hot spa on the top floor.||||We booked the hotel because of the advertised restaurant and bar on site, as after a long drive it is nice to be able to relax in the hotel. As such, I would not stay here again, although it was reasonable...

The rooms I first booked turned out to not have any showers. There didn't even appear to be showers on the same floor. I asked for a change to rooms with showers and for an extra £50 we were moved up to the 8th floor to Japanese style rooms.||||Although advertised as a restaurant and bar onsite, there was no dinner available (perhaps it was out of season). The closest place we could find was a small Japanese cafe with pretty average food, but it was at least good value. ||||The bar is described as a "Sake Museum" and supposed to open at 8.30pm, but by 8.45 it still was not open with no one in sight so we didn't bother to wait around.||||Breakfast is ok.||||The hotel, although large, is cozy. The Japanese style rooms are comfortable, with lovely warm bedding and soft pillows. The view of the valley from the room was good.||||My bathroom didn't feel particularly clean and it smelt a bit.||||There are 2 Onsen, one on the 2nd or 3rd floor (I can't remember) and one on the top floow. The views from the top floor are stunning and it really was a great experience watching the sun set over the valley from the hot spa on the top floor.||||We booked the hotel because of the advertised restaurant and bar on site, as after a long drive it is nice to be able to relax in the hotel. As such, I would not stay here again, although it was reasonable...