ゑびす荘 — Hotel in Totsukawa

With much delay, I post our review of the two days we stayed at Ebisu. It was one of my best experiences in Japan (I visited 4 times), so this will be a long review. My partner and I stayed for two nights while walking one of the Kumano Kodo trails. The owners are a young couple who run the place together with his mother. Even a month before our arrival, the owner was very present in email communication, which I appreciated. When we arrived we felt immediately at home, although the owner doesn't speak English he had prepared sentences to explain to us how the structure was organised, it was a very nice gesture.. The facility is very cosy and quaint, very clean, roomy room, the thermal baths quite spacious, the water at Totsukawa is fantastic. We dined there both days, the dining experience was really exciting, the dishes they presented to us were very well prepared, tasty, genuine and local, we were really pleased. In addition, the owner speaks a little English and took great pains to explain the dishes we were served. We ate rice cooked in thermal water, which was a new and very interesting experience. Also, there was a very tender little episode, on the first day after our arrival we went on foot to visit Tamaki Shrine, the owner drove us to the trailhead and lent us a map. We spent many hours walking around and returned on foot when it was getting dark. Moral of the story, the owners got worried and sent their mother to look for us in the car... we were very sorry to have worried them, but it was like being part of the family. I don't know if I will go back to Japan again, but I would certainly go back to Ebisu, and I wish the owners a lot of luck and happiness, because they are two beautiful people who...

This ryokan was amazing- run by the most accommodating and friendly young couple who also cook and serve each meal. Stayed here hiking the Kohechi and had the whole inn to ourselves. I was really glad we kept walking past hotel Subaru and made it here - ultimately I chose it from just browsing google reviews of inns in the area, and it lived up to the hype. We used the outdoor onsen which was lovely and refreshing before sitting down to what I cannot exaggerate was the best meal I had in Japan. The hostess brought out plate after plate of unique, delicious small dishes cooked by her husband. So many fresh, local vegetables in the hot pot really stood out to me after being in the country for a week and not experiencing much fresh produce. This inn truly has the charm of rural Japan that you might be hard pressed to find in the future. Do yourself a favor and stay there if you find yourself on the Kohechi! While it might be a tad more expensive than the other minshuku, the experience we had was still unbelievably cheap for the quality of food...

I was recommended by a local friend and stayed one night at this ryokan. I was greeted by the owner with great hospitality. I enjoyed the dinner and breakfast set that were also cooked by the owner. The meals used mostly regional vegetables and mushrooms. I appreciate the local healthy cooking. The ryokan have a private onsen (solo room that you can lock) and a public outside one (roof of the ryokan) for use. It is a traditional ryokan so the walls are thin but I have respectful neighbors that kept the noise at a minimal. Kukuta is provided which added to the experience. A nice stay...