Mingei Ryokan Fukashiso

The Accommodation has a wonderful atmosphere and offers satisfaction beyond its price.At the entrance, there was a vending machine selling rare flash-frozen soba you can enjoy as if freshly made, as well as Matsumoto Sanzoku-yaki.They kindly accompanied us to our Room on the second floor and even carried our luggage. When we left, although it was raining, they lent us an umbrella and saw us off.The interior has a special, out-of-the-ordinary feel, with calming lights placed throughout the hallways and other areas.The toilets and washbasins are shared, but they are clean.There is also a large public bath with separate hours for men and women, and if available, you can use the private bath at no extra charge.The water temperature is on the lukewarm side.Breakfast offered many kinds of small side dishes, a large-nameko mushroom miso soup, and curry that was light yet flavorful; we were told it uses Indian spices.Next time, I’d like to try dinner as well.

We stayed during the Obon holidays because the Reservation site showed high ratings for the cuisine and hospitality. All staff served guests naturally with a genuine spirit of hospitality, and at dinner the proprietress visited each table to greet everyone. Every dish was delicious, and it was a wonderful Accommodation just as reputed. We were told this year marks their 110th anniversary. A hanging scroll displayed the proprietress’s New Year’s resolution written on January 1: “We aim to become the world’s most heartfelt Ryokan.” For our Room, we were assigned an upgraded Room beyond our Reservation, and even given two Rooms because one would have been too small—one for relaxing and one for sleeping. At check-out, the proprietress kindly walked with us outside while chatting, and stood to see us off until our car departed. It was an Accommodation with hospitality so attentive it almost made us feel undeserving. We left hoping that this history and tradition will continue for many years to come, along with lasting prosperity.