Reviews for Japan Family-run, Friendly and Cheap Inn

This is our first time at a traditional ryokan and we simply fell in love the moment we arrived. Although the owner and staff spoke very limited English, they made us feel special and tried their best to make our stay as enjoyable, comfortable and memorable as possible. They offer free pick up once we informed them of our arrival time at the station. Once we were in the ryokan lobby, we were immediately greeted by the owner who gave us a quick tour of their lounge and o-furo rooms, then escorted us to our room, while their staff delivered our luggages. Then, we were offered a cup of hot green tea and some sweets which were very refreshing.

We booked through JapanHotel.net and the agent was prompt in answering all my emails. On their website, their rates are listed as per room per night with breakfast and dinner included, but we requested for 1 dinner only. They accommodated our request and deducted fees from the total room charges. So if you want to book this ryokan, JapanHotel.net is very reliable.

Overall, friendly ryokan staff, clean and spacious tatami room, beautiful zen-like decor, and convenient location around the 7 public bathhouses. Everywhere can be reached by foot. My personal favorites are their lavish banquet-style red snow crab dinner, free bathhouse pass, free beautiful yukata wear, free massage chairs, big HD TV, powerful air conditioner, and big beautiful hot bath rooms. Everything about this place is superb! We were so pampered, we regret not staying longer. Even greater, the owner drove us to the station on the day we left because she felt bad that we had to drag our heavy luggages all the way to the station. Very considerate. We will definitely re-visit this place again in the future!

(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

From Canada
Aug. ‘11
Stayed at sinonomesou, Kinosaki Onsen Hyogo Pref.

Minshuku Kuwataniya is a lovely little place only minutes from Takayama station. The rooms are big and some look out onto the temple opposite. The mens and women’s baths are roomy and incredibly relaxing. The host is very efficient, warm and with her limited english she will explain anything you need to know including the different dishes of meal served. (Dinner and breakfast were amazing including local specialities and shouldn’t be missed!) Great value for money and I highly recommend borrowing the bikes that they have available.
The carpets in the hallways could probably do with being replaced but the rooms and dining rooms are beautiful. Free wifi.

(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

From Australia
mar. ‘11
Stayed at Minshuku Kuwataniya, Hida Takayama

We felt looked after at this little Ryokan. It was not beautiful but the staff were caring, the beds were made up and the linen was lovely. The lady took us up to our room and made us green tea when we arrived. There was always hot water available in the room. The bedding was put away each day and the room was set out with the table, a tea tray and something to eat. We did not have meals here but the Kyoto station is only 5 minutes walk and is an amazing place. There are lots of eateries along the road from the Ryokan which were laways full of Japanese and the station was great for food, lots of restaurants on the top floor. There was a hot bath on the top floor of the ryokan which I soaked in alone! There was free internet connection but it was very slow, good for emails to keep in touch with home.

(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

Jun ‘09
Stayed at Ryokan Wakamiya , Kyoto City

We had a very pleasant stay in this hostel: the onsen has fantastic views on Mount Fuji, and the dorm is very comfortable. You can have nicebreakfast for 500 yens in the restaurant. There is also coffee & tea available in the basement. The location is perfect and the staff is very helpful.

From France
Nov‘11
Stayed at Kawaguchiko Station Inn, Mount Fuji Yamanashi Pref.

This Ryokan gave us a perfect trip to yudanaka, they were very helpful in planning transportation to the train station and back and to the monkey park as well as arranging all our meals. the service here is excellent and the staff are all warm and friendly. Hot springs were very nice and comfortable. Would reccomend this place to anyone planning a trip to yudanaka.

(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

From singapore
Dec.’10
Stayed at Wafu-no Yado Masuya Yudanaka Nagano Pref.

Chita Guest Inn is 10 mins walk from the station, just off a laneway opposite a huge temple on Karasuma street. There is a bike rental shop and it is just to the right of that heading towards the centre of town. Kaori was a fantastic host! Very friendly and helpful and great English. Rooms have TVs, tatami mat-style but good futon mattresses. There is only 1 bathroom but it was fine while I was there. There’s a kitchen, communal area and internet. Some of the rooms have a lot of noise though.

From Austria
Sep. ‘11
Stayed at Chita Guest Inn, Kyoto City

After staying in conventional hotels for our two weeks in Japan, we decided to do the traditional Ryokan while in Kyoto for our last two days. We did the Breakfast and Dinner plan. You have the option of booking the room only, room and breakfast, or bed, breakfast and dinner. You have a choice of three traditional Japanese dinners. We did one night with the hot pot, and one with a more varied, traditional meal. Every meal was absolutely spectacular. Beautiful fresh fish, vegetables, meats, soups, rices and anything you could imagine was served at each meal, truly authentic, at the low table, in a private mat room. They waited on us like royalty, and couldn’t possibly have missed a detail. The trays that they brought out with food just kept getting stuffed with more beautiful dishes than the last. We chose this Ryokan based on the recommendation of our son and his wife, who have stayed and brought guests here before. The service and food was amazing.

The location, near the train station, was ideal in that you didn’t have to go very far to get around, but was situated in a rather commercial location. The other Ryokans that we looked at were probably in more picturesque locations, but they were twice the price. While you were out of your room, they would move the low tea table and bring out the futon type sleeping pads. The bathroom was truly ingenius, but tiny and no more than one person can be in at once. There is a traditional community bath as well. Everything was authentic.

Some parts of the room were a little worn - like the cracked hanging light, and dust on some of the decorations, but you can’t beat the price, service, and food for a truly Japanese stay.

(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

Jun ‘09
Stayed at Ryokan Wakamiya , Kyoto City

We loved the easy location and the staff were fantastic in helpings arrange the next leg of our trip, they even booked the bus for us. We arrived in the rain but they delivered blue sky and beautiful views of Mt Fuji next morning from the breaky table we watched the clouds literally melt before our eyes. The room was roomy for the 4 of us with a table, cushions and a traditional cupboard of bedding for us Yosef up as we wish. the table had a hot pot of water ready for us to make tea on arrival.

From Australia
Oct‘11
Stayed at Kawaguchiko Station Inn, Mount Fuji Yamanashi Pref.

“Highly recommended”.This traditional inn is at one of the best locations in central Kyoto.Its a few minutes walk from Kyoto train station and surrounded by beautiful temples and family run bars and restaurants.The rooms are of a comfortable size and kept very clean. The staff speak English and are very helpful with information on the area. The curfew is at midnight but this can be flexible if you just tell them before going out. I would stay there again for sure.

From Ireland
Aug. ‘11
Stayed at Chita Guest Inn, Kyoto City

Ok, Kojinmari is a very simple Ryokan. Specially compared to what is around. However since most of the time you will spend in your yukata going from bath to bath, you don’t need more than what they offer. Above all, the service was… how can I put? the best! I usually don’t care much about it, however the owners were such a sweet heart that it made the whole difference. Honestly, I am a frequent international traveler and I definitely recommend this hotel.
(The review has originally been posted on Tripadvisor and its page will open by clicking the hotel name.)

From Switzerland
Aug. ‘11
Stayed at Kojinmari, Kinosaki Onsen Hyogo Pref.