瑞の里 〇久旅館 — Local services in Izu

I visited Marukyu with my husband as our "splurge" accomadation for Japan trip in June 2012 after doing a lot of research. I believe it's one of the cheaper places offering the luxury ryokan experience (cheaper here being relative, but my standards were pretty high). The main disadvantage with the place being that Shuzenji is a bit out of the way for most travellers. ||||More pics of the area here http://www.origamicupcake.com/2013/10/japan-trip-onsen||||What I wanted was: some luxury, tatami rooms, kaiseki food served in our room, and onsen baths including private baths to share with my husband. Marukyu definitely delivered. ||||I would have liked to have stayed at a historic ryokan, but with our budget most of the older places we looked at seemed a bit on the shabby side. I also made the strategic desicion to choose a nicer, more expensive hotel, and get the cheapest room. I was barginning that the bath facilites and food would make up for a smaller room. This was a great deal, because when we arrived they had upgraded our room for free. ||||I was a bit worried because there are not a lot of (English) reviews for Marukyu, probably because their website is not particularly friendly to English speakers, but I was able to make reservations with the help of a Japanese friend. ||||From the first we were not disappointed in our choice. We were treated with care and attention throughout our short stay. First we were treated to snacks and drinks in the lobby, while an english speaking member of staff was found to help us check in, explain the information in the hotel guest book, and order drinks for dinner later. We ended up ordering too much and got happily drunk over dinner. ||||The hotel itself has a clean and modern feel, albeit in the traditional tatami style. And visiting the ryokan also took us off the big city route we’d been on for the rest of our itinerary. While visiting the remote countryside might seem like a waste of time, it was a welcome change of pace and the surroundings are idyllic – filled with rice paddy fields and bamboo forest.||||Of course the ryokan experience is not for everyone. Aspects of it which might seem strange to a foreigner include ordering all alcohol before the meal (so you eat in more privacy), wearing yukata, the bath etiquette (please be a good guest and follow it), and the unusual food, and the heavy Japanese-style breakfast. However by doing a little research you shouldn’t be intimidated, and can enjoy the hotel as intended,...

Our first stay in a Ryokan - or any type of dedicated spa hotel. The relaxation started immediately - cold drinks and nibbles served almost before we had taken a breath in a calm and tranquil reception overlooking a pool full of carp. The lady of the house checked us in at our table (rather than making us stand at the reception desk) - little touches like these were typical - and answered all our questions without once showing distraction or impatience. The room itself was a traditional spartan matted-floor square with low tables and chairs which were moved by the staff to make space for bedrolls when we had dinner. Kimonos and sandals were provided. Dinner was 7 courses, ranging from delicious to well, more "interesting", but always fun. Our hostess made sure that all food items were explained to us - what they were and how to eat etc. The wine list was limited but good quality. Basically the whole dinner experience - from being walked to our private dining room in our kimonos to eating a snail (delicious, a bit like liver) - was great fun. The onsen is essentially a room of three large hot pools and individual washing stations. Bliss. The main onsens are same-sex only, but there are private rooftop hot-tubs for couples and private family onsens on the first floor.||||For an authentic Japanese spa experience, Marukyu was delightful and I recommend it...

This is a wonderful ryokan in a cute little town. The staff are so friendly and helpful. It is by the river so lovely bird and water flowing sounds. It is not a big ryokan and is very cosy. The welcome is so warm and inviting. We had a Japanese style room, meaning futons are put out while you are having dinner. The ryokan has several onsen including 3 private rooftop open air ones with a private one at ground level and 2 public ones. This worked really well as I am tattooed and it can be problematic at public onsen and bathing places. But not here. The food is astounding and plenty of it. Meals change everyday and seafood is a big part of the spread. Make sure to eat the Horned Turban sea snail. Doesn't look overly pretty but it is good. Rooms are reasonably large. Equipped with little fridge, kettle and green tea plus water. Dining is on level 2 in various tatami rooms and for us was a private affair making for a special eating experience. Not a great deal of English spoken but don't let that put you off as they will try very hard to work it out. Plenty of car parking onsite. The town is delightful with a number of parks in the vicinity well worth going to. One of them, called Shuzenji Natural Park (not misspelled) gives amazing views of FujiSan at an outlook that is sign posted. There are over 1000 Japanese cedars...