Yatsusankan — Hotel in Hida

Our Japan trip was wonderful. When we contemplated back home what was the best, the answer was unanimous from both kids as well as parents. It was Yatsusankan ryokan and Hida Furukawa. This was astonishingly amazing and a great experience. Everyone should take a turn off from the big, touristy places in Japan and spend few day slowtravelling and that is exactly when Kanazawa, Hida Furukawa come handy. But lets head back to ryokan. This is a very old ryokan which stays for many generation within one family. Its is location is right next to a river and opposite a temple. The access road is narrow slice of a road with very little traffic, if any at all. The car thoug can drop you right in front of Ryokan and it is just few meters to reception. The check in was a tea, explanation about the ryokan in very good english but probably sometimes the receptionist do not speak good english so they carry on a list of instructions in english. So do not worry, you will understand everything. The owner greeted us and took a picture with us. Reception room felt like a grandma room and it has its charm. One has to remove shoes upon entering and keep them stored outside. We were given a key and short tour of ryokan. Everything was very traditional exactly the way it shoud be. And I mean we felt like japanese :) Our room was large and suitable for 4 people. Kids had futons on ground and parents regular bed. We had a small living room area, working area and bathroom has large traditional bath.An absolute screamer were yukatas, traditional clothes which we had to wear while in ryokan. We were gently asked to wear them and honestly it was very cool :) The dinner was served in private rooms at preset time and it was a delicate feast. Everything fresh local and authentic, all the tastes of Hida. There are two onsens within ryokan, shop, library. Well do not laugh but I imagined people who has been eating, sleeping, having fun in this 160 years ago and I felt a nostalgia for things in past. They seem alive here. This is a very old place with a soul and I recommend to stop here and spent at least 2-3 nights while enjoying surrounding area. It is very peaceful, quiet and tourism juggernaut is far away from here. This little gem made out Japan trip special. Try it, though the prices are not cheap, it...

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...

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...