Nationwide × Zen-Inspired AccommodationHighly-rated Hotel·Ryokan - 8Page Number

We stayed here on a family trip with my parents. The Room was spacious and airy, and the greenery visible from the window was truly beautiful—so we were able to relax from the moment we arrived. This time we stayed in two Rooms, “Sono Ichi” and “Sono Yon,” and both had large baths and were wonderful spaces where we could unwind completely. The staff’s thoughtfulness also left a strong impression. They responded attentively whenever needed, while maintaining a comfortable sense of distance that never felt intrusive. They warmly celebrated my mother’s birthday, which made my parents very happy. They even sent a forgotten item to our home, and we remained grateful until the very end of our stay. The meals were unforgettable as well. The cutlet was light yet full of rich lean-meat flavor, and absolutely delicious. And the ayu sweetfish was so good that everyone in our family agreed it was the best ayu we had ever had. From the Room and bath to the food and hospitality, everything was flawless. Thank you for making our precious family trip even more special.

We arrived by taxi from Hakodate Airport. There is also a bus stop within walking distance, which is convenient. The meals were plentiful, and the squid in particular was delicious. It’s best not to expect much in terms of the view from the Room. There are two convenience stores nearby, and the refrigerator was empty so we could use it freely. The Onsen was excellent, with smooth, light water. Everyone—from the front desk to meal service and futon setup—was friendly and always smiling, which was wonderful. We will stay here again when we visit Hakodate.

For the first time in five years, I came by myself this time. At home, I’m always thinking about what I have to do and rarely get a chance to truly relax, but the time I spent at your auberge made me want to pick up books that caught my interest and listen to music I don’t usually hear. It felt wonderfully refreshing—like stepping out of everyday life. The food, of course, was more than satisfying and truly worthy of being called an auberge. Thank you very much!

I stayed at this Ryokan specifically to enjoy ayu, as it is famous for its ayu cuisine. At dinner, a wide variety of ayu dishes were served, and I thoroughly enjoyed more than 10 fish. The most delicious was the ayu rice; even though I was already full, I ended up having two bowls. The non-ayu dishes also looked excellent, so next time I plan to try dishes other than ayu. The proprietress, the attendants, and the head chef were all friendly, and I had a wonderful time. It was a pity that the bath was not an Onsen, but it was spacious enough for more than the number of guests staying there, so I could soak at leisure and ease my travel fatigue. As this is a historic culinary Ryokan, you can’t expect modern comforts; however, it is well maintained in its own way and offers a different kind of comfort from today’s luxury Ryokan. This Accommodation lets you experience the comfort of a traditional Japanese inn.

As our Room was in a separate building, we were able to relax in a quiet space. The open-air bath was also wonderful—I enjoyed it so much that I went in several times. The meals were delicious, and we especially appreciated the spacious dining area where we could take our time without worrying about others. We also received a gift for our wedding anniversary, and the thoughtful hospitality truly warmed our hearts.

I stayed here again on a trip to Kyoto with my daughter. As always, I was completely satisfied with the hospitality, the food, and the location. In every situation, the staff’s service was truly outstanding. I would definitely like to stay here again in the future.

I came here with a friend to relax and unwind in the natural hot spring water. This time we chose a more budget-friendly stay, so we skipped dinner. The Facility has a traditional Japanese design with great atmosphere, and it was truly calming. The hallways are covered with tatami mats, so it felt nice to walk around barefoot. The bath was incredibly relaxing—excellent. I was also able to fully unwind in the lobby. The onsen eggs were delicious, and breakfast was great as well. The Room had beds, so I could relax comfortably. One thing I didn’t expect was how few places there are to eat around the Accommodation. Many restaurants were closed on their regular days off, so finding somewhere for dinner took some effort. Also, when I misplaced something, their courteous support really helped. Every staff member greeted us with a smile and spoke politely—perfect service overall. Highly recommended.

A relocated samurai residence Accommodation that appears tucked away in the mountains. The Room was very spacious and spotless, with thoughtful touches throughout and plenty of cherry-bark craftsmanship—exceptionally comfortable, and I couldn’t stop admiring it. On the Room terrace, I relaxed while listening to insects and birds, and the private open-air Onsen bath was wonderfully soothing. The meals were also absolutely delicious. Thank you to all the staff for your warm hospitality.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. There was only one reason I came to Shirahama: To stay at Kuroshio Sou. When people think of Shirahama, many picture the sea and resorts. But what I found here was Wakayama itself. What moved me most at this Accommodation was not only how outstanding the food was. It was Head Chef Etani’s exceptional skill, and his deep respect for the producers who support every single dish. Fishermen. Farmers. Brewers. Roasters. And the artisans who continue to protect Japan’s fermentation culture. The moment I saw the map of producers introduced alongside the meal, I understood what this Accommodation truly values. Through the cuisine, you encounter not only ingredients, but also the people behind them and Wakayama’s climate and character. I was especially impressed by how delicious the soy sauce and Kinzanji miso were at dinner. When I asked about them, I learned they were from Horigawaya Nomura—a producer with over 350 years of history that still preserves traditional craftsmanship using firewood-heated iron kettles—making both their soy sauce and Kinzanji miso in that way today as well. I had originally planned to visit a different soy sauce brewery, but heavy rain made it impossible. Sometimes, the places you cannot reach end up guiding you to the story you were truly meant to find. For me, Kuroshio Sou was exactly that kind of place. The wonderful Onsen gently healed not only my body, but my mind as well. The quiet comfort throughout the building, Chef Etani’s cuisine, and the hospitality of all staff— together they quietly express this Accommodation’s philosophy in everything it does。 As a former chef from Tasmania, there is something I felt deeply: True hospitality is not just serving delicious food; it is helping guests connect with the people and culture that sustain a place。 I now have one more reason to return to Wakayama。 Thank you again from my heart.

Thank you very much for taking care of us during our 3-day, 2-night stay. We visited to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, and thanks to your thoughtful hospitality, we were able to enjoy a relaxing and healing trip. Thank you. At the beach below the Hotel, it was quite windy due to a low-pressure system, but we were still able to snorkel and see some fish. The Room was just the right size, and we could relax comfortably. We also enjoyed the private open-air bath on the 5th floor without worrying about time, which made for a very restful experience. The meals were delicious from the jimami potage onward. Breakfast was also just the right amount and very enjoyable. It felt like there were more Western guests than we expected. We heard that an annex is scheduled to be completed next year, so we are really looking forward to it. We would love to stay with you again next time.

A belated note, but I visited in June. The bellflowers were in bloom, and I was truly delighted. Thank you for the peaceful garden and the calm atmosphere inside the hall, as well as to the kind staff at reception and in the restaurant. The morning service was also a comforting time. I also learned about the Kukai exhibition from a brochure there and went right away. When I visit Kyoto again, I would love to stay at Chishakuin Temple.

Lately, even luxury Accommodations have felt a bit underwhelming, so I’m truly grateful to have found such a perfect, soothing Accommodation. I don’t have the words to fully describe how wonderful it was, but I was treated exceptionally well, deeply relaxed, and felt detoxed both physically and mentally. Without a doubt, this is a top-class Accommodation. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

From the warm welcome to the heartfelt farewell, every moment was comfortable and truly luxurious. We were completely satisfied with everything—the atmosphere, the Room, the bath, and the meals—but above all, we were deeply impressed by the attentive hospitality and thoughtful care of all the staff, and would love to visit again. I am left-handed, and at dinner on the first day I moved my chopstick rest myself. Then at breakfast the next morning, my chopstick rest had been set for a left-handed guest—I was truly moved...! Thank you so much for noticing even such a small detail.

All the staff provided wonderful, attentive service! Even in the intense midsummer heat on Miyajima, we had a truly enjoyable trip. The night tour after dinner was very informative, and the local guide’s storytelling really made us feel like we were traveling—she was fantastic. Because of time constraints and the heat, we couldn’t make it to the summit of Mt. Misen, so next time we’ll visit in autumn and would love to stay here again. Thank you very much.

Thank you for upgrading our Room. The moment we stepped inside, we were completely captivated by the quietly glowing hearth and the calming scent of incense. It felt like stepping away from everyday life—exactly what we had been looking for—and our excitement instantly soared. The Room had been renovated while preserving its old-world charm, which made us feel relaxed and at ease. The meals were delightful, with a focus on warmth, aroma, and storytelling. The world really is evolving! The minimal service that gently gave us space was also refined and wonderful. Thank you for such a relaxing stay.

The Onsen had wonderfully pleasant water with a silky, skin-clinging feel.

This is a refined Accommodation for adults. We requested the special course meal, and it was so satisfying that it may have been the best food we’ve had among all the Accommodations we’ve stayed at! The staff’s service was also polite and excellent. Relax while enjoying views of the sea on the Oga Peninsula. Late-night snacks are hardly available, so if you tend to get hungry, it’s best to buy something and bring it with you.

It had been a while since we last gathered—this time, all our children and grandchildren came together to celebrate my wife’s and my birthdays. We chose a long-established Ryokan located at the gateway to beautiful Nara Park, just a 2-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station—an ideal meeting point for our family coming from both the Kanto and Kansai regions. The Shosoin-inspired building we had often admired on the way to Nara Park turned out to be Kasuga Hotel. It was our first stay, and it proved to be a wonderful Accommodation that stands at the entrance to historic Nara Park. Here are a few memorable moments from our visit. With its major restoration now underway—the first in about 120 years since FY2022—Kofuku-ji Temple’s National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda will be something we look forward to enjoying again from our Room once the work is completed.

I would like to stay again. This is an accommodation I would recommend to my friends. It was very relaxing.

The meals are very healthy, using locally sourced ingredients. However, many dishes require guests to cook for themselves, such as shabu-shabu and kushikatsu, and they also feel like dishes that even we homemakers could make. In other words, it seemed there were few dishes with a creative twist. Using freshly harvested vegetables and eggs, I would like the head chef to offer more elaborate dishes. The Room and bath were wonderful, and we were able to relax while fully enjoying nature. This time, when we asked, additional towels were brought free of charge; however, since we bathe in the Onsen multiple times, we would be happy if two towels per person could be provided from the start. Thank you very much.