Shogoin Gotenso — Local services in Kyoto

I stayed here for one night with my parents.||||My parents came from Canada, so they were a little apprehensive about staying at a traditional place. I had also never stayed at a ryokan, so I wasn't sure what to expect either. We were pleasantly surprised.||||The ryokan is beautiful, and we arrived as the cherry blossoms in the front were approaching full bloom, which made the place look like it came straight out of a movie. The gardens in and around the ryokan were also gorgeous. ||||My Japanese is extremely limited, but there was someone on staff that spoke enough English to walk us through everything. This gentleman was extremely friendly, and even helped us plan our trip back to the airport by organizing our shuttle bus, and calling our taxi.||||The room was really big, and I honestly wasn't expecting to have our own shower and toilet. I told my father we probably wouldn't, but he was extremely relieved when we saw we did. Like many Japanese homes, the toilet room was separate from the shower room. This confused my parents a bit, but I was glad they could get a glimpse into that aspect of Japanese living. The kimono-style robes they provided were also very nice. The futons were Japanese style, and went on the floor.||||The sento bath area was really pretty. I had been in worse onsen, so I was pleasantly surprised at how esthetically nice it was. It wasn't very busy at the time we went, so my mother was too uncomfortable.||||The dinner was the only really awkward thing. I had misunderstood the concierge and assumed dinner came to our room, so it was surprising when we were taken to another room to have dinner. I ordered the shabbu-shabbu meal, because I knew my father wouldn't eat the kaiseki one. But once we were at the table, the lady spoke really fast and left, so we had no idea what to do. I had simpler nabe-pot meals before, but there was so much on the table, and various sauces, I didn't know where we were supposed to start. We were awkwardly sitting at that table for 10 minutes, hoping she would come back so I could ask some questions, but she never did. My father already had a headache, and this ordeal stressed him out, so he went back to the room. Eventually a girl came, and I kind of gestured that I was confused. She brought over another lady that spoke some English, and she explained the different sauces, and so-on. Once we got the hang of it, it was really delicious. ||The staff was worried about my father, and I told them he had a headache. They were pretty concerned he wasn't eating, and they were kind enough to make him some riceballs. ||||Overall, it was a beautiful place with...

I stayed here for one night with my parents.||||My parents came from Canada, so they were a little apprehensive about staying at a traditional place. I had also never stayed at a ryokan, so I wasn't sure what to expect either. We were pleasantly surprised.||||The ryokan is beautiful, and we arrived as the cherry blossoms in the front were approaching full bloom, which made the place look like it came straight out of a movie. The gardens in and around the ryokan were also gorgeous. ||||My Japanese is extremely limited, but there was someone on staff that spoke enough English to walk us through everything. This gentleman was extremely friendly, and even helped us plan our trip back to the airport by organizing our shuttle bus, and calling our taxi.||||The room was really big, and I honestly wasn't expecting to have our own shower and toilet. I told my father we probably wouldn't, but he was extremely relieved when we saw we did. Like many Japanese homes, the toilet room was separate from the shower room. This confused my parents a bit, but I was glad they could get a glimpse into that aspect of Japanese living. The kimono-style robes they provided were also very nice. The futons were Japanese style, and went on the floor.||||The sento bath area was really pretty. I had been in worse onsen, so I was pleasantly surprised at how esthetically nice it was. It wasn't very busy at the time we went, so my mother was too uncomfortable.||||The dinner was the only really awkward thing. I had misunderstood the concierge and assumed dinner came to our room, so it was surprising when we were taken to another room to have dinner. I ordered the shabbu-shabbu meal, because I knew my father wouldn't eat the kaiseki one. But once we were at the table, the lady spoke really fast and left, so we had no idea what to do. I had simpler nabe-pot meals before, but there was so much on the table, and various sauces, I didn't know where we were supposed to start. We were awkwardly sitting at that table for 10 minutes, hoping she would come back so I could ask some questions, but she never did. My father already had a headache, and this ordeal stressed him out, so he went back to the room. Eventually a girl came, and I kind of gestured that I was confused. She brought over another lady that spoke some English, and she explained the different sauces, and so-on. Once we got the hang of it, it was really delicious. ||The staff was worried about my father, and I told them he had a headache. They were pretty concerned he wasn't eating, and they were kind enough to make him some riceballs. ||||Overall, it was a beautiful place with...

I've stayed at Shogoin Gotenso many times since 2004 and I don't ever want to stay anywhere else in Kyoto. The service is top quality and the room are in the traditional style. Do not fear! The futons are one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept on. In fact, I almost purchased one to bring back to the States.||||The food is very traditional and very very delicious! I highly recommend getting your meals with your room at least for one day. You must try the bathhouse at least once as well. I know that this can be awkward for Americans to adjust to, but just know the bathhouse is a normal part of the Japanese culture and no one will be paying you any attention. Promise. ||||Also take a stroll in the meticulously tended gardens and do your best to find the foot soak. There are little tiny fish in it that come and take the old skin off your feet. It sounds gross I know, but it's another normal thing in Japan. I highly recommend staying at Shogoin Gotenso for at least 2 nights, though you'll probably want...