Ryokan Beniayu

Overall, I think this is a good Ryokan. However, there were a few points that concerned me. First was the timing of the meal service. Enjoying a high-end Japanese kaiseki dinner is one of the greatest pleasures of staying at a Ryokan. I like to savor each dish slowly while hearing explanations about the ingredients and how it is prepared. However, I was surprised that dishes kept coming one after another without much explanation, even before we had finished the previous course. I do not mean to blame the attendant; I simply hope everyone can further refine their service so that attentive hospitality is consistently provided. Partway through, I asked them to be more mindful about timing and to provide slightly more detailed explanations.We had an arranged “Boku-nabe” at Benayu, and in particular the broth was excellent—the flavor and pleasant chewiness of eel matched well and it was delicious. The number of dishes was satisfying, but having udon followed by rice at the end felt a little unusual (though both were tasty). Since Boku-nabe is something you cannot easily find elsewhere, it made for great conversation.Another concern was the open-air bath in the Room. It was a nice bath, but outside the window is a road, and if someone passes by there is a possibility they could see you naked. As an older guest I personally would not mind much (and might even make others uncomfortable), but for women this would be different. It may be worth considering some countermeasures.The Room was clean, and although using the telescope took a bit of practice, we enjoyed it. All staff members left a good impression on us. The Onsen was also very nice. The view of Lake Biwa from the Ryokan is wonderful as well.

The Shuttle Service to Takatsuki Station was extremely helpful. I was having trouble finding a taxi, but when I called, they came to pick me up right away, which I truly appreciated.The Room was very comfortable, and the view of Lake Biwa was wonderful. There were also binoculars and a massage chair, and I enjoyed the in-room open-air bath as well. The staff kindly explained how to use everything, so I felt at ease.One minor concern was that the air in the Room felt a bit dusty, and it made me sneeze. Also, when entering and leaving the open-air bath, I slightly worried about whether it might be visible from below.Both meals (breakfast and dinner) looked great and tasted great, and I was very satisfied. The staff were kind and pleasant as well.