Ryokan Mitsuwa — Local services in Toyooka

Kinosaki Onsen is one of the oldest onsen towns in Japan so "old" ryokans were all said to be over a hundred years. Ryokan Mitsuwa, established since 1957, may not be that old, but it became clear to us why Mitsuwa has survived in this competitive town. The inn is currently run by the family's third generation, Kazuyuki-san and his wife Mie-san, with mother also helping during the busy hours. From the moment we checked in, we could feel the warmth and hospitality of this kindly family. It may not be a large ryokan but they have very large hearts here. For example, we loved their thick woolen yukata happi coats for winter, which were lusher and warmer than the ones we were provided at another older and bigger ryokan in Kinosaki, and also their legendary breakfast (served in-room) that left us feeling nourished till dinner time! Our room's tokonoma hung a lovely painting of the local mountain with Onsenji. Kazuyuki-san is the competent inn-keeper and also chef of Mitsuwa. He also gave us very good advice about the key sights, onsens and shops here. The ryokan is well situated for Sato no Yu, Jizo no Yu and the train station (all less than 10 minutes walk). The ryokan's small but very clean onsen can be used as a kazoku onsen because you can lock it for own use without charge (advisable to limit it to one hour each time). If we return to Kinosaki onsen, we will surely stay here again and also make sure to book the full board package to try Kazuyuki-san's dinner. Stay here if you wish to experience an authentic and sincere family-run ryokan with Japanese omotenashi....

Small intimate ryokan with 5 rooms only. Booked through rakuten. Staff was friendly and spoke some English. 1 staff hopped into our rented car to show where to park, after we unloaded out luggages in front of the ryokan. Afterwards the lady staff showed us the room (we had 5 pax) on 3rd floor which had a small entrance area, toilet, and separate wash basin room. However 5 pax sleeping in futons in the room can be a squeeze. She showed us how to put on the yukuta to go onsen hopping and our onsen pass. It was quite a hoot putting on our yukuta and the baskets and keeping a straight face. Next day breakast was in 2nd floor room. Breakfast was traditional japanese breakfast with lots of small dishes all laid out on time. Quite a fun and memorable time (though the actual onsen dipping was...

Small intimate ryokan with 5 rooms only. Booked through rakuten. Staff was friendly and spoke some English. 1 staff hopped into our rented car to show where to park, after we unloaded out luggages in front of the ryokan. Afterwards the lady staff showed us the room (we had 5 pax) on 3rd floor which had a small entrance area, toilet, and separate wash basin room. However 5 pax sleeping in futons in the room can be a squeeze. She showed us how to put on the yukuta to go onsen hopping and our onsen pass. It was quite a hoot putting on our yukuta and the baskets and keeping a straight face. Next day breakast was in 2nd floor room. Breakfast was traditional japanese breakfast with lots of small dishes all laid out on time. Quite a fun and memorable time (though the actual onsen dipping was...