Kikusui — Local services in Fujinomiya

Kikusui was a mix, starting with the pdf of instructions received. The directions given from the stn involved zigging & zagging through streets when it was much easier to go down the big street from the stn and turn right into the street where the Sengen Taisha shrine is located: much easier and direct. Accessing the building via pin codes was ok although the pdf was a bit unclear on the process. Getting to our room was very tough. Not mentioned anywhere is that access involves a long set of steep stairs (pix attached). It would be impossible for some people and this needs to be highlighted when booking!! The Sengen rooms were spacious and mostly fine. Although the hole punched in a wardrobe and a fly screen fallen off a window indicated some poor maintenance. The kitchen had everything needed except for a cloth towel to wipe things, only paper towels. The beds were comfy and the shower was good. The balcony area was the best with a nice view over the shrine's large pond, comfy chairs and a table, and a little bar fridge. One other thing confused us. The fact that the complex is totally non-smoking was repeated many times however there was an ashtray on the grounds. 🤔 Would we book again - maybe, maybe not. It...

If you want a warm bathroom and a warm shower to which you won't have to walk via an open uncovered patio, don't stay here. Or stay in the summer when it's hot, but not when it's +8C outside. While this place is in a perfect location, staying here was stressful. If you are into traditional, drafty Japanese guesthouses or you like to camp, you will enjoy it, but I wish this place provided more straightforward information on the booking website about what kind of stay it is. We have not communicated with the staff except one time when accidentally running into them at self check-in; they showed us to the room and left. At one time, we could not enter the building when the front lock malfunctioned, but there was no staff inside when we ran the bell a few times (around 3 pm); luckily we tried and tried until we were able to...

The rooms are meticulously clean and luxurious in a rustic villa style. This is the last of a set of palatial mid century ryokan inns. Check-in with a gracious brief tour might occur if before 5pm, After 5pm it is unmanned (but self check-in). There are no cookie-cutter hotel rooms, but only a few bespoke named rooms, e.g. the bamboo room (which had a private view of a breathtaking bamboo forest, a kitchenette, a toilet room, a private outdoor cloistered patio under falling leaves, and private bathroom with amenities), and other rooms (e.g. water room, etc.)

In winter you may need a sweater until the room and floor heat up, but it was a most wonderful experience. The hostess was able to call us a taxi. The proximity to the garden ponds was also very nice. Thank you...