Yamamizuki Urara Tsutaya

Deze ryokan is absoluut spectaculair. Het is een klein etablissement met ongelooflijk veel aandacht voor detail. De tatami-kamers zijn zowel comfortabel als traditioneel. Het personeel verandert naadloos van dag- naar nachtmeubilair terwijl u geniet van het meest ongelooflijke diner of ontbijt. Het eten is iets anders: gourmet met passie. Wat een ervaring. Kiso is een geweldige uitvalsbasis om de vallei en haar routes te verkennen. Het is heerlijk vrij van lawaai en luxe winkels. De ryokan ligt direct voor het treinstation en we hebben gewoon een fantastische tijd gehad. Waarschijnlijk de beste herinneringen van de hele reis.

We felt very welcome here. A very genuine Ryokan experience, everything I had hoped for. The food presentation was amazing, it was a great opportunity to try out a variety of dishes and they accommodated my daughter's 'no meat' diet with ease.

We stayed one night while walking the Nakasendo Trail. Located across the road from the train station and close to a convenience store. Most rooms have shared bathroom facilities; we took a larger room with an ensuite bathroom. Lots of space, comfortable futons and efficient wifi. There are gender segregated onsens on-site, these are of the smaller size. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. The highlight was dinner, which was simply outstanding and equal to a top city restaurant. And breakfast was pretty good too. Highly recommended.

We asked for an authentic Ryokan experience and I’m pretty sure that’s what we got. Kiso doesn’t have a lot going for it ( needs to be borne in mind it hammered with rain for the whole of our 48 hr stay!) but this property is a jewel. Located across the road from station and also next door to a small supermarket and tourist information office. Owners and staff could not be more helpful, not much English spoken, but enough. Room was initially a shock but staff turn the living area into sleeping area whilst dinner is being served , and then back again in morning. Bath on ( optional) open air terrace looks rustic but is high tech ( like toilets) self filling and kept at a constant heat. Same could be said of room , traditional tatami matting & futon , but also wi fi ,fridge , tv, coffee machine . Room is small so we were glad when we transferred luggage on first morning for next stay. Traditional clothes are provided and you can dress for dinner and breakfast , it is not compulsory but nice to do so , The food is magnificent around 12-15 small courses at each meal all beautifully presented and carefully served ( not much by way of translation but all seemed lovely) . Drinks are also available at extra cost at dinner. Meals at set times : dinner at 6 , breakfast at 7;30 or 8. On day 2 you can choose between American or Japanese breakfast, we had no hesitation in choosing Japanese. Shoes have to left outside at all times.In a cupboard, they are then laid out for you in morning. It is handy for the station , some people did much more adventurous hikes to Magome and Tsumago but this involved military precision transport planning that was beyond us, so on a very wet day we went by train to Narai , a nice old post town , that was sufficient. This is a beautiful property that is definitely 5 star , the locality was perhaps not for us but no hesitation in recommending the Ryokan.

地元の食材で… とは、よく聞く話。しかし、この宿の夕食は本当にほっとする地の味。刺身ですら隣町の朝獲りマス。全く臭みがない。これを素で、そしてカルパッチョで。同じ町内の酒、地元のワインが合う。他の品々も木曽のもの。締めの炊き込みご飯。これがまたいい。上品な香りと味わいです。部屋や温泉のお風呂はちょっと狭い。でも部屋に非温泉も半露天風呂あり。おいしいもの好きにはオススメ。