Araki Kosen Ryokan — Hotel in Chichibu

On my 5th trip to Japan in early April 2012, the plan is to take my 12 year old granddaughter for her first visit. Some of my fondest memories of past visits included hot springs soaks in places like Shirahama, Nagaoka, Hakone and Chichibu. So I started to research Japanese style ryokans for our one overnight away from Tokyo. ||Araki Kosen Ryokan in Chichibu read like a stand-out among many good choices in several travel sites. The hotel was founded in 1827, during the historical period of the samurai. Small and intimate, it’s just an hour and a half by train from Tokyo. With the help of a Japanese speaking friend, a large room with bath and both breakfast and dinner was reserved by telephone.||Although I loved everything about the inn and our stay, it may not have been the best choice for a 12 year old. Located in a residential area, except for a fabulous river gorge accessible by a stairway just behind the ryokan, there isn’t a lot onsite to interest children. ||However I would say it’s a perfect retreat for couples or young adults interested in exploring nearby Chichibu-Tama National Park in the Kanto mountains. Detailed information and local maps can be found at the Japan National Tourist Org website, www.jnto.go.jp. Look for a leaflet PG-303, titled, Chichibu and Oku-Tama. Though we didn’t have time to do these activities after all, there were several interesting ones we initially looked into. River rafting in traditional wooden boats in Nagatoro, a cablecar ride almost to the top of Mt. Mitake and Nippara Stalactite Cavern a short distance from Okutama train station.||The ryokan’s website, www.onsen-yado.net is entirely in Japanese, however it’s still valuable for non-Japanese speaking travelers to review the tabs for photos of the different types of rooms available and to see sample meals. I can’t say enough about the kaiseki style dinner, it was outstanding. Breakfast served in the dining room the following morning was equally delicious and...

On my 5th trip to Japan in early April 2012, the plan is to take my 12 year old granddaughter for her first visit. Some of my fondest memories of past visits included hot springs soaks in places like Shirahama, Nagaoka, Hakone and Chichibu. So I started to research Japanese style ryokans for our one overnight away from Tokyo. ||Araki Kosen Ryokan in Chichibu read like a stand-out among many good choices in several travel sites. The hotel was founded in 1827, during the historical period of the samurai. Small and intimate, it’s just an hour and a half by train from Tokyo. With the help of a Japanese speaking friend, a large room with bath and both breakfast and dinner was reserved by telephone.||Although I loved everything about the inn and our stay, it may not have been the best choice for a 12 year old. Located in a residential area, except for a fabulous river gorge accessible by a stairway just behind the ryokan, there isn’t a lot onsite to interest children. ||However I would say it’s a perfect retreat for couples or young adults interested in exploring nearby Chichibu-Tama National Park in the Kanto mountains. Detailed information and local maps can be found at the Japan National Tourist Org website, www.jnto.go.jp. Look for a leaflet PG-303, titled, Chichibu and Oku-Tama. Though we didn’t have time to do these activities after all, there were several interesting ones we initially looked into. River rafting in traditional wooden boats in Nagatoro, a cablecar ride almost to the top of Mt. Mitake and Nippara Stalactite Cavern a short distance from Okutama train station.||The ryokan’s website, www.onsen-yado.net is entirely in Japanese, however it’s still valuable for non-Japanese speaking travelers to review the tabs for photos of the different types of rooms available and to see sample meals. I can’t say enough about the kaiseki style dinner, it was outstanding. Breakfast served in the dining room the following morning was equally delicious and...

The Sakamoto family have run this traditional pre-Meiji Samurai home for generations, and it shows. They have kept abreast of the modern conveniences and innovations to keep the integrity of their accommodations, services and cuisine. The breakfast-dinner plan is recommended for at least one night of your stay for the full experience.||||Downstairs is a smart kiosk of all the local fare and crafts. If you stay long enough, a couple of local snacks will be refreshed in your room's bowl. Taxis or a rental car work best getting there (the shuttle is appropriate for all the morning trains leaving), it lies equidistant from the Seibu-Yokoze, Seibu-Chichibu and Chichibu Testudo stations at roughly 4km (a cab ride of ~1,750円 per direction). The hikes around the inn are excellent ranging from the mountain range surrounding the basin to the traditional Edo period pilgrimage route of 34 shrines. There are two or three restaurants adjacent to the property in case you're looking for variety. The hot spring is...