Ishidaya — Hotel in Kawadu

It may have been because we were almost alone there, but we had a delightful and luxurious stay at Ishidaya. The staff is reasonably genial but happily not cloying, like they can so often be at inns and hotels in Japan, and even the food was good. I usually find ryokan fare and kaiseki vastly overrated and presented in that 'precious' Japanese fashion - so tedious sometimes. Ishidaya's was very tasty and well presented.||||We had our own outdoor bath and our own indoor bath, in a sepearet garden house all our own. ||||The room had a slightly moldy smell to it, but hey, it's Japan. Wabi, sabi and kabi. But we felt very comfortable and the futons were wonderful. Fresh and new and crisply starched. ||||If you think of the charges for an Aman room somewhere, where they throw a few plumeria in your bathtub and everything is so symmetrical you almost feel stiff, Ishidaya was not so expensive. ||||Izu has stretches of glorious coastline, then in a second they become hideupus, and it's a repeat of that. The trick is to find a stretch that is still picturesque and not go too far.||||Ishidaya has no view and the ocean is far off, but it surprises - it's in a dull residential area and you cross a little bridge and suddenly - very pretty. The western landscaping (which you need to seek out in the rear), may need some 'good taste' - it looks...

Our absolute favorite place during our entire trip around Japan! The town is very quiet and friendly, surrounded by mountains and within walking distance of the sea. The rooms are spacious, clean, and full of atmosphere. Each room has its own view of a Japanese garden and a private open-air stone onsen! Highly recommended for those who feel nervous about sharing an onsen with other people.

The rooms don’t include meals, but a free Japanese breakfast is offered in the morning (rice, pickles, and miso soup). The natural surroundings are incredibly calming — I highly recommend this ryokan to anyone looking for a peaceful, stress-free retreat close to nature. The staff are very polite and friendly!...

I stayed for four nights here while working remotely, and it was heaven. The stand-alone rooms, surrounded by gardens, ponds, and trees, make it an amazingly peaceful and soothing setting after the noise and dinginess of Tokyo. The rooms are beautiful--highly traditional, with lovely carved-wood details and appointments. The service was also impeccable, and the food exquisitely prepared with translations in English. I highly recommend it to anyone who is familiar with traditional ryokan, or willing to try something off the beaten...