Nationwide × Zen-Inspired AccommodationHighly rated for dining at Hotel·Ryokan - 5Page Number

This was my second stay. Last time, I stayed during a snowy season, so this time I was able to relax until dinner and fully enjoy the sight of green trees swaying and the gentle calls of evening cicadas from my clean, refined Room. The meals here are delicious both in the morning and in the evening, with plenty of vegetables. Of course, the fish and meat were also excellent—everything was flawless. Above all, the staff’s smiles were wonderful, and their service was attentive and professional, which made me feel truly happy. I will definitely come back to stay again when I have time. Thank you very much.

I had heard that my parents, who are from Ehime, used to stay here when they returned home. When my mother passed away, our family made a Reservation the day before. We were truly grateful that you prepared an offering meal for my mother both in the Room and at mealtimes. Although the staff member in charge was young, they treated us with just the right sense of distance. As there were six of us, you arranged a spacious tatami dining room for us, and we thoroughly enjoyed the delicious cuisine. I did feel that the selection of alcoholic drinks was a little limited. I thought it would have been even better with more wine options or easy-to-drink sours. Breakfast was wonderful! There was nothing too heavy for the morning—thick-cut salmon, rolled omelet, yudofu tofu, and more— a menu so satisfying that I ended up having another bowl of rice. The “Jinchoge” Room was fun—when we opened doors that felt like something out of a ninja house, it was “here too,” and “here too.” While more and more innovative Accommodations are appearing these days, this is an Accommodation that steadfastly preserves traditional charm and protects Dogo. Especially in times like these, I sincerely hope it will continue to remain. I no longer have any particular reason to visit Ehime, but I would love to return so I can feel close to my parents again. Thank you very much.

I had dinner at the luxury auberge VILLA COMMUNICO in Nara. The location is at the foot (or maybe halfway up?) Mt. Wakakusa; it’s doable on foot, but a car is recommended. From the restaurant, Mt. Wakakusa is directly across the road, with deer here and there—an unmistakably Nara-like view. The Hotel as a whole is a renovated traditional Japanese house, creating a stylish space that still feels steeped in history. With only five rooms in total, it has a wonderfully secluded, hideaway atmosphere. Dinner starts all at once at 18:30. Guests gather in the second-floor lounge at 18:00 and relax with pre-meal tea while enjoying views of Mt. Wakakusa. When it’s time, you move down to the first floor. On entering, there’s an iconic fireplace and counter on the left. The first course is eaten standing while listening to the chef’s explanation—an unexpectedly unique experience. Cucumber, elderflower / Yamato jidori chicken, nasturtium Freshly made mozzarella, caviar Bonito, molokhia (jute mallow), okra Oyster, pine nuts, chives Japanese duck (Yamato-gamo), pumpkin, truffle Flounder, Manganji chili pepper, red-legged shrimp Sakaeya aged sirloin of culled Japanese Black wagyu Fig, blueberry, juniper berry Both the presentation and flavors were excellent. In particular, the dish combining bonito with molokhia and okra was outstanding. Courses are basically served simultaneously for everyone and paced to match slower diners overall, so dinner progresses at a leisurely speed. If you eat quickly, be aware there may be some downtime between courses.

This was our first time visiting on a family trip. Thanks to the staff’s heartfelt hospitality, we felt comfortable throughout our stay and are truly grateful. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious, and we had a relaxing, well-cared-for stay. We would love to stay again next time as well. Thank you very much for everything!

The Accommodation’s calm atmosphere, the cuisine, and the baths were all wonderful, but what impressed me most was the exceptional hospitality of the staff. Everyone we spoke with combined deep knowledge with warm, attentive service, making our stay truly comfortable. I initially wondered if this trip might be a bit luxurious for traveling with my three underage sons, but they seemed to experience what true quality means, and I am now wholeheartedly satisfied.

With its expansive grounds, tranquil atmosphere, seemingly oversized guest rooms, and dedicated attendants, this is a top-tier Japanese-style Ryokan. While it did feel a bit dated in places—such as not having enough power outlets by the bed—we were very satisfied with our stay. It was disappointing that the private family bath (Nishi-no-Yu) was closed due to reduced hot spring water volume depending on the season.

I came here to relax. I love camping too, but I really wanted to unwind, and I’d been wanting to visit because it seemed like I could enjoy both—so we stayed in Snow Peak’s JYUBAKO. It was so wonderful that I want to make it a must-do once a year. My husband was very satisfied as well, and we definitely want to come back. Dinner was great, of course, and breakfast was also delicious—we were full and completely satisfied. Thank you for a wonderful time.

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 garden was magnificent. The bath was also an Onsen that warmed us to the core, and the meals were very delicious. We would definitely like to stay again. The cake included with the anniversary Plan was exceptionally good, and enjoying it with the complimentary coffee made for a truly happy time.

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.

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.

I stayed here on my first solo trip around Shikoku. I only knew Ehime for its citrus and sea bream rice, but the dishes made with local ingredients served here were unbelievably delicious. They also noted where each ingredient was sourced, which made me want to explore more of Ehime. The Room was amazing with a reservoir view—an incredibly luxurious space. It got plenty of sun and was already very hot even at 5 a.m., so I didn’t spend much time relaxing on the terrace, but walking around the reservoir was very pleasant. I’d love to visit again in a different season.

From arrival to departure, the staff treated us with great care, and we had a very pleasant stay. The service was impeccable. The Room retains the charm of a traditional Japanese house while offering a calm, spacious layout for relaxing. In addition to the deck, there is also an area with a sofa where you can sit and take in the outdoor scenery at your leisure, which made it easy to unwind. Unfortunately, it rained quite heavily during our stay, so we couldn’t enjoy the deck as much as we had hoped. The Onsen was also wonderful—you can soak in free-flowing natural hot spring water whenever you like. The bathtub was spacious enough to relax and fully enjoy the Onsen. There is a separate shower room in front of the bathing area as well, which made it convenient to wash before getting into the tub. What left the strongest impression on us in particular was the cuisine. Fresh seafood was used generously, and every dish was absolutely delicious. Although we weren’t blessed with good weather this time and couldn’t see the sunset we had been looking forward to, we still thoroughly enjoyed simply spending time at this Accommodation. Being able to relax so comfortably even on a rainy day may be something unique to Ujo Soan. We were highly satisfied with everything—service, Room, Onsen, and meals—and it’s an Accommodation we would love to visit again.

From the front desk with a panoramic view of Hakone’s great natural scenery to the Room with a private open-air bath, everything was excellent! The food was also very satisfying. The incense service and drink service were plentiful and much appreciated. The staff were very kind as well. We’ll be back!

Thank you very much for your thoughtful hospitality. You even prepared matcha for us, and we enjoyed it very much. The Room and bathroom were clean, and we had a very comfortable stay. The view from the Room was wonderful—we were moved to be able to take in the sea, mountains, and sunrise all at once, accompanied by birdsong. The Onsen water quality was excellent, and our skin felt pleasantly moisturized even after bathing. We would love to stay again. Thank you very much.

Both breakfast and dinner were exceptionally delicious, and we were completely satisfied. The view from the lounge was wonderful. From the in-room scenic bath, we could look out over the sea, and from the living area we could see airplanes up close. In the open-air bath of the large public bath, we could look up at planes just before landing, and were truly impressed by how powerful it was. We look forward to visiting again next year after the renovations are completed.

Last time we stayed in the B&B, but this time we used the cottage. The Room had a very calming atmosphere, and we were able to relax and take it easy while enjoying the drinks in the refrigerator. It was a shame that the bath had been changed so it can no longer be fully opened as a semi-open-air bath, but it was still very soothing. We had our meals in a separate building, and everything was delicious and satisfying. However, since we don’t drink alcohol, we would have appreciated some non-alcoholic options at a lower price point. Also, it would be helpful to have an instruction sheet showing where the light switches are located.

As always, the meals were delicious, and the Onsen was gentle on the body with a perfect temperature. It was also my first time dining in a second-floor private dining Room, and the open atrium made it easy to appreciate the main building’s traditional architecture. However, this time the meal service was a bit disappointing: tea didn’t come unless we asked for it, and the explanations of the dishes were hard to follow. I understand they may still be inexperienced, but for an Accommodation that values its cuisine, I hope more care will be taken in how guests are attended to during meals. That said, it’s still an Accommodation I would definitely like to visit again.

Although it is an older building, it is well cared for and kept very clean. Thank you very much to the proprietress and all the staff. If checkout were at 11:00, we could have had a more relaxed morning... We would love to stay again.

We stayed here last year and had such a wonderful time that we definitely wanted to come back. This year, we chose our travel destination mainly because we wanted to stay at this Accommodation again, and it did not disappoint. Our Room had an indoor bath, but the open-air bath was so relaxing that we never even found time to use the indoor one (laughs). This is truly an Accommodation we want to return to again. Thank you very much.