Kawana — Hotel in Kimitsu

GENERAL This is a quiet Ryokan not far from Tokyo that is absolutely worth a visit. I have been to many ryokans across Japan, including Hakone and Nikko, but this one felt particularly special. The building is very clean with a quiet and relaxing feel. I was greeted entirely in English and taught how to use their onsen. I was also given paper instructions in English just in case, which was really helpful as I forget spoken instruction incredibly fast. My Japanese style room was tidy and they even had a kettle of hot water already prepared and calming music playing for me upon my arrival. Additionally, there are yukata laid out in the dresser so you can immediately partake of the baths after check in. The sizes ranged from S - XL. I was a solo traveler but experienced no limitations at this hotel. However, I believe at least 2 people are required for the rooms with private baths attached. I included breakfast in my stay and was amazed at the quality! It was amazing, but I was overwhelmed with the amount of food. I don't eat much in general, but I especially can't eat a lot in the mornings. I did end up breaking the cardinal rule and left food behind as I truly couldn't finish all of it. I felt bad because it really was an incredible breakfast. If you don't like seafood, make sure to let the staff know during the booking process as there quite a few seafood items. Including mussels in the miso soup.

BATHS There are 4 private open air baths that can be used as long as they are vacant. Additionally, there are a few indoor baths that alternate between male and female depending on the time of day. It was very refreshing to be able to just walk into a bath unreserved, instead of stressing over a time slot that you had to make at check in, without even knowing what you were doing for dinner yet. This is probably the best feature of the ryokan. Each bath is slightly different and will be explained via a booklet in your room. The open air baths close at 9 pm and the front office closes at 10 pm so be wary if you are expecting to arrive late. The baths are incredibly clean and well maintained. I have some serious OCD and fear of mold but I never once felt uncomfortable in any of them.

ACCESS There are many ways to access this Ryokan and it really just depends on preference. I took the train from Tokyo station via the Sobu Line (Sōbu-Yukata) to Kimitsu station and then the Uchibo Line from Kimitsu to Aohori Station. This took about 2 hours. Trains from Kimitsu and Aohori only leave about once an hour so plan accordingly. From Aohori Station, I walked 24 minutes to the ryokan. While the walk is certainly doable, note that the road is very busy with no sidewalks for about 55% of the trek. I don't recommend if you have wheeled luggage or children. If using Google maps, it does take you on a nice stroll along the river. That being said, Aohori Station seems to have quite a few taxis outside that could be utilized. I passed by them at 10 am on Sunday and 4 pm on Saturday, so I would assume that they are there regularly. The drive is about 5 minutes. Alternatively, there is a bus route from Tokyo that gets you closer but costs about ~¥1000 more. If taking the train route, be careful about which train you board as there are many that use the Sōbu-Yukata line. Don't accidentally take the NEX train to Narita.

NEARBY The closest restaurant is a Chinese place about 3 minutes down a busy street. Despite the reviews, this place is very nice! I loved their food and the newly renovated atmosphere. The staff were also very nice and struck up conversations with me in Japanese! I loved being to converse with them and practice my conversation skills. Other close places to Google: Shinmon Village Cafe, Cafe グラン・フォッセ, ラーメンダイニングすどらあ.

OVERALL When I first got off the train at Aohori station, I did wonder how peaceful this place could be as seemed to be in a random suburb full of busy streets. Don't be alarmed, it is a gem. When you check in, put on your yukata, and walk to the many private baths, it'll kick in how amazing...

Here, there is no bed in the room?|Here, there is no croissant and cappuccino at breakfast?...|But here you will find Peace, Love and Happiness! |It's a fabulous ryokan, traditional Japanese guest house, if you want to escape from Tokyo city at only one hour drive, or on your way to Narita airport (also one hour).|You will sleep in confortable tatamis on the floor, and will use the amazing private hot bath rooms on the top floor. Each bath is different and so relaxing. And you can be couple together!... ;)|Now let's talk about the food... it's not fantastic, it's just orgasmic!!!! |Some of the best dinners I ever had in about 30 previous trip to Japan in the next 25 years... so tasty, so fresh, so nice and so good. I will come...

坐骨神経痛と日頃の疲れもあり旦那もやっと休みが取れたので楽しみにしながらリピートでいきました。以前より…料理と接客の質が落ちていました。以前はしっかりお料理の説明が丁寧にありましたが説明がなく大学生のお兄ちゃんたちが和牛のしゃぶしゃぶを半分ほど食べていて「味が…あまりしない」と言ってたので、お品書きを見るとポン酢があるはずなのになく忘れられていました。お刺身以外説明がないので「これなんだろう？？」と思いながら食べることも多かったです。小さい子がいるとお品書きと照らし合わせて食べることも難しいです。ファーストの飲み物も2回間違えられて…朝の人参ジュースにも蚊が混入していました。伝えるとすみませんとの言葉もあり配膳の方は良い人たちで忙しそうにして頑張っていたのでそれくらいは全然良いと思いました。 許せなくなったのは 最後に料金を払うときに私は赤ちゃんを抱えていたので旦那に「鍵を確認してフロントに渡して」と伝えていたら フロントの人が中からでてきて「こちらで確認致しますので大丈夫です」と旦那が持っていた鍵の箱を取り中に入り、こちらに出てきて「全部揃ってました。オッケーです！」といってきたので、ちゃんとカギを返せたと思い安心してお金をお支払いました。しかし家に帰宅後、かわなの露天風呂に入るときに靴につけるクリップが荷物から出てきました。クリップがあったことを電話をしたら、こちらのミスかのように 『元払いでこちらに送ってください』と冷たく言われ 『最後にフロントの人がこちらで確認するといい全部揃ってますとおっしゃられ、お支払いしましたが、これはそちらの確認ミスでもあるので別に鍵とかではなく100円ほどのクリップだと思いますし、こちらは送るのも大変なのでどうにかできませんか？』といったのですが…ねぎらいの言葉もなくぶっきらぼうにそれでも元払いで送り返してくれと一点張り…。（こちらのミスもあり申し訳ないのですがとか、ゆっくりでも良いのでとか…着払いでとかそういう優しい言葉もなく…）めんどくさそうに対応されたので 『こちらは七万円払い百円ほどのクリップで送るのもほんとに大変なんです！それならもう二度といかねーよ』と言ったところ、『うるせー、勝手にしろ！！』と逆ギレされで言われ電話を切られました。男の人でした。 旅行から帰宅してクタクタで１人で荷物の片付けやら大量に洗濯物もして赤ちゃんもいて他の子供たちもいて、仕事（在宅）して、わざわざ百円ほどのクリップのために…また出かける準備して切手を買って（うちは単身赴任家庭みたいなものなのでパパがいないので）車もないので仕方がなく坐骨神経痛の中痛みを我慢しながら赤ちゃんを抱っこ紐つけて郵便ポストまで行かなければならなくなりました。往復４０分かかりました。赤ちゃんもいるのわかってるのに…と、行かなきゃ良かったとか楽しい思い出が散々になり色々な思いが溢れてきて泣けてきました。。今年、団体でいくつもりでしたが…もうリピートは絶対にしません。100円で100万は損したと思ってください。旅館にいるときにはニコニコしてお金を払えば血も涙も無い扱いで本当に残念な悲しい気持ちでいっぱいになりました。 今回は 夜は食事する部屋にも蚊が飛び回り食事も集中できず、お風呂は（石？という露天風呂）熱くて子供は入れないと思います。水もなくて…浸かれず…。あとお風呂のすぐ横に蚊が数十匹軍団でいました。 ここに行く人でお子様がいる方は貸し切り風呂にも年中蚊がたくさんいるので 虫除けや虫刺されの薬など持っていくのがいいかもです。うちの子は今回蚊に刺されてしまい可愛そうでした。あとはヘアゴムを手首に通してたらヘアゴムの金具のとこが当ってかぶれて痒くなったので皮膚の弱い人はしないほ...