Fushio Kaku Onsen — Hotel in Ikeda

Having lived in Japan for 5 years and stayed in a number of ryokan and minshuku throughout the country, I knew that this wouldn't be the same experience. For those looking to dip their toe into Japanese culture, Fushioukaku is fine. The cost is pretty reasonable but frankly, the downsides are numerous.||||As many other reviews have stated, the building is very old and frankly, simply ugly. Looks like an old Soviet style building. Think: lots of drab concrete, parking garage features prominently and block architecture. If you are expecting a tranquil wooden-framed Japanese building, this isn't it. ||||The rooms are "typical, Japanese style" meaning, rectangular, tatami-mats with a large balcony. Ours had a decent ofuro (Japanese bath) on the balcony which was enjoyed by all. However, there is not much view from the bath - either back into the room or of the nearby road (and hillside.) ||||Regretfully, the food was mediocre. One of the highlights of staying in a Ryokan is the local delicacies, crafted with care and typically served in ones room. In this case, the food was so-so and served in the restaurant. (I believe depending on the package, one can get food in the room and possibly also higher quality.) We had the standard and it wasn't memorable at all. That said, the restaurant seemed to offer a la carte dishes that looked better. ||||The "onsen" is really akin to a public bath house in Japan (if one has ever been.) The facilities are spartan and the indoor section mustard-yellow tile. The outdoor pools are a bit nicer, though small, and the surrounding landscaping is refined and peaceful. There is a decent view of the hillside. ||||The staff were cordial enough but not the most gracious. I expect that it is a demanding job given they deal with numerous nationalities as a matter of course every day. ||||IMPORTANT: The hotel is located quite far from central Osaka and also VERY distance from the (new) Kansai Airport. It takes at least 90 minutes and several trains, etc. to get to the hotel from KIX Airport. We took a taxi ... for US$250 one way. The hotel IS relatively near to the old Osaka Airport. ||||If you are a family, have luggage and are not familiar with Japanese or the transport network ... I wouldn't recommend staying here. If you are a young, adventurous couple with small backpacks and plenty of time, go for it. ||||POSITIVES: The breakfast. It was simply fantastic. Wide variety, some local specialities and endless supply. We extended our departure time just so to enjoy the breakfast on our last morning. ||||Close to the CupNoodles Museum. The inventor of Cup Noodles - the Taiwanese-born Momfuku Ando - lived in Ikeda/Itami-shi where the hotel is located. The museum is well worth a visit. Plan to stay for a few hours ESPECIALLY if you book to make noodles yourself. This can be done online and should be booked MONTHS in advance. None the less, the museum is a great stop. Easy to walk from after drop off from the hotel shuttle bus.||||I oscillated between giving Fushioukaku 2 or 3 stars and gave them 3 in the end given the value and...

Having lived in Japan for 5 years and stayed in a number of ryokan and minshuku throughout the country, I knew that this wouldn't be the same experience. For those looking to dip their toe into Japanese culture, Fushioukaku is fine. The cost is pretty reasonable but frankly, the downsides are numerous.||||As many other reviews have stated, the building is very old and frankly, simply ugly. Looks like an old Soviet style building. Think: lots of drab concrete, parking garage features prominently and block architecture. If you are expecting a tranquil wooden-framed Japanese building, this isn't it. ||||The rooms are "typical, Japanese style" meaning, rectangular, tatami-mats with a large balcony. Ours had a decent ofuro (Japanese bath) on the balcony which was enjoyed by all. However, there is not much view from the bath - either back into the room or of the nearby road (and hillside.) ||||Regretfully, the food was mediocre. One of the highlights of staying in a Ryokan is the local delicacies, crafted with care and typically served in ones room. In this case, the food was so-so and served in the restaurant. (I believe depending on the package, one can get food in the room and possibly also higher quality.) We had the standard and it wasn't memorable at all. That said, the restaurant seemed to offer a la carte dishes that looked better. ||||The "onsen" is really akin to a public bath house in Japan (if one has ever been.) The facilities are spartan and the indoor section mustard-yellow tile. The outdoor pools are a bit nicer, though small, and the surrounding landscaping is refined and peaceful. There is a decent view of the hillside. ||||The staff were cordial enough but not the most gracious. I expect that it is a demanding job given they deal with numerous nationalities as a matter of course every day. ||||IMPORTANT: The hotel is located quite far from central Osaka and also VERY distance from the (new) Kansai Airport. It takes at least 90 minutes and several trains, etc. to get to the hotel from KIX Airport. We took a taxi ... for US$250 one way. The hotel IS relatively near to the old Osaka Airport. ||||If you are a family, have luggage and are not familiar with Japanese or the transport network ... I wouldn't recommend staying here. If you are a young, adventurous couple with small backpacks and plenty of time, go for it. ||||POSITIVES: The breakfast. It was simply fantastic. Wide variety, some local specialities and endless supply. We extended our departure time just so to enjoy the breakfast on our last morning. ||||Close to the CupNoodles Museum. The inventor of Cup Noodles - the Taiwanese-born Momfuku Ando - lived in Ikeda/Itami-shi where the hotel is located. The museum is well worth a visit. Plan to stay for a few hours ESPECIALLY if you book to make noodles yourself. This can be done online and should be booked MONTHS in advance. None the less, the museum is a great stop. Easy to walk from after drop off from the hotel shuttle bus.||||I oscillated between giving Fushioukaku 2 or 3 stars and gave them 3 in the end given the value and...

We have stayed in many onsen ryokans and this one was a little older than we expected. ||||The room was smaller and furnishing had evidence of heavy use - worn wood panels, stiff rollers (sliding panel) and even a small dent in the wall.||||The ceiling was held up by wooden beams. Very authentic. The place was generally not as brightly lit.||||We got there on a free hotel shuttle van. Again with signs of heavy use - duct tape on the driver seat. The hotel is probably used to day trippers from nearby Kobe or Osaka so the van was not catered to handle overseas guests with cabin or checked in bags. ||||The van was boarded at ground floor of East exit of Ikeda (Osaka) station. Walk out of turnstiles, find stairs near Starbucks, walk to the rear most edge of the public bus bay - further away from the bakery and public toilets and furtherest away from the slip road exit joining the main road.||||Room was well equipped though. The toilet was in the opposite end of the room from the showers. The showers open to the balcony where the onsen tub was. There was even a massage chair in the room!||||The children were a little disappointed that the staff didnt measure them up for their own kiddie yukatas like in the other ryokans but all was forgotten when they discovered a small play room with toy cutlery & pots, play stove and a nifty 3D image for souvenir photo taking. Ha.||||Food was served in the 2nd floor restaurant for both dinner and breakfast. Dinnee was a set meal and breakfast was a buffet spread. Food was uniformly good! Some of the better dishes we have had in ryokans so far. ||||Variety was not overwhelming. Neither were portions. But more than enough to fill u up. We especially liked the home made tofu and the 16-grain porridge for breakfast. ||||Onsen was good too. Very authentic japanese style, unlike the modern or faux Roman style ones we have tried. The hotel also took pains to maintain a very beautiful japanese garden around the onsen.||||Do note that unlike other onsens, u are required to bring your own towels from your rooms.||||All in all, the ryokan was good value for money. Not as pricey as the premium ryokans so it showed in the room furnishing but the food was of a good &...