Kirinoya Ryokan — Hotel in Narita

We booked this online, and they were happy to take our booking just over email without requiring credit card details, which was nice. We then called when we arrived at the train station and 5 minutes later the owner arrived in his van to take us to the ryokan. We were contemplating walking but were glad we didn’t – it was quite a way (though not far in the car).||One of the best things about this ryokan is the guy running it – super-friendly and always on the go. Speaks OK English (I don’t think the rest of the family does, though). ||The accommodation is quite rustic and basic, but with interesting Japanese antiques including samurai stuff. Still we had a nice big room upstairs for our family of five, with an area for the futons, and a separate area (that we could cordon off with large screens) for our bags and to sit down. A bit noisy at night (with road noise out the front window), but an OK sleep.||Food authentic Japanese, too (both dinner and breakfast) – kids didn’t like some of it, but there was plenty, so no-one went hungry. Cheap beers, too!||The other great thing about this place is how close it is to the Narita temple complex. The owner recommended a way to walk there and it was quite mind-blowing! Enormous, opulent and, strangely, hardly anyone there. And free! Plus some amazing gardens surrounding it.||Only stayed one night, and the owner then drove us to the train station in the morning. Traveller’s tip – there are two train stations, both about the same distance, but he took us to Keiseinarita station because more trains run from there to Narita airport. However, we discovered when we got there that we couldn’t use our Japan Railpass for that last, 5-minute train journey. So if you’ve got a Railpass, you might want to ask the owner to take you to the JR station.||Overall, a great little place to stay, and great town to check out, the night before we flew out (our flight was at 11am, so it was nice not to stress about getting to...

For a two-day layover, we decided to try this ryokan rather than one of the rather nondescript alternatives in Narita town. We had never stayed in a ryokan before (or, for that matter, been to Japan), but we wanted an adventure and we got it.||||First, the positives: it's very close to Narita-san temple, the beautiful park behind the temple (don't miss this - it's an absolute delight, peaceful and lovely) and the main shopping/dining street; the Japanese food at the inn is very good; free pick up and drop off at the train station is included; and sleeping on futons on tatami mats is surprisingly comfortable. All this was excellent and we're really glad we experienced it. Best of all, the owner is a wonderful elderly gentleman who is completely charming (his English is quite good; we had no problem at all communicating). The inn has been in operation for 120 years, managed by the same family, so staying there is like being immersed in history. The samurai displays and small touches like the wooden carvings between rooms add to this feeling.||||However, at 120 years old, the inn is due for a few upgrades. The decorative sliding panels that form the closet doors are beautiful, but badly stained (at least in our room). And the shared bathrooms are perfectly functional and clean, but kind of old and crumbly.||||We were a bit worried by what another reviewer wrote about the smoke, as we're quite sensitive to second-hand smoke as well, but surprisingly it didn't bother us at all. Sure, we could smell it, but it seemed to just blend in with the generally pleasant lived-in smell, rather than being sharply offensive. ||||Finally, not every Western visitor may like the Japanese-style breakfast (fish, rice, miso soup...) but they are perfectly willing to provide a Western breakfast (toast, eggs, etc) -- just specify beforehand which you...

I've stayed here the last three years. It is especially convenient to spend a day or two at Kirinoya upon arrival to unwind after a long flight or just before leaving. It is literally a 15 minute train ride to Narita. Naritamachi itself has a lovely smallish town feeling once you get a block away from the train stations. And Naritasan temple and it's extensive park are well worth your effort.||||Katsumata-san and his son are very helpful and will pick you up and drop you off at the Kaisei (more frequent) or JR train stations, although for me it is a relaxing (and not too long) walk too and from Kirinoya: the walk lets me corporeally realize I have arrived when I get to Japan, and it lets me savor a little longer its wonderful ambiance before heading for Narita Airport.||||If you must have a modern sterile hotel, Kirinoya may not be for you. But it's traditional Japanese charm, traditional Japanese bath, wifi, and fine home cooked meals will please anyone else!||||It is the culture of Japan which I love far more than any of the tourist must-see sites. You will find that in Naritamachi...