A Japanese ryokan can give you a different perspective. 
Dinner: "Surf and turf" Ryokan style ( this - of course - a small subset of the actual dinner)
Last breakfast served in room.
MW with owner's wife and the staff that made our stay a pure pleasure.
...slow down and relax...
...endure (in my case) the floor mat seating...
..and forgo technology for a few days.
While this last may not be required, if you find yourself on your cell phone, the intertubes, and watching TV while you are in a ryokan - well - then you kind of missed the point.
This was my first ryokan experience, and I found it to be a perfect a way to finish our first tour of Japan. I understand that ryokans are located in cities as well as in the country, but after enjoying two nights at Momijiya Bekkan Kawa no iori, I cannot imagine why you would want this experience a ryokan in the middle of a bustling Japanese city. Just one man's opinion.
The slow pace and profound quiet of a country ryokan simply takes you to another place.
4 comments:
What amazing pictures. And of course I'm looking at this right as it's my dinner time and have drooled! Yet, all I'm going to eat is pizza and a salad:(
Marina,
Thanks for the kind words. Well I'm back in SF now and having leftover spaghetti for dinner - so I too would just as soon keep the memory of that meal buried deep in my subconscious. Not sure if and when I'll have another like it.
BTW - checked out your blog and think its great. We were in Costa Rica in '92 (I think) - a week in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and a week on the Pacific Coast (Gulf of Papagayos). Your post on Gallo Pinto brought back memories. It was my favorite food. We've made it a few times at home, but it never seems as good as I remember.
hi there MW,
im researching ryokans and came across your blog. Im thinking of staying at this particular inn and was wondering if you found it difficult to get there?
im wondering specifically about accessibility and how did you get in touch with them when i cant seem to find a number for them?
thanks so much!
Anon,
My wife booked this Ryokan (and really arranged the whole trip). I checked with her and confirmed that she did the research and made the reservation using the Japanican website - you can get to the site by clicking on the link at the end of the post or on the one in a previous post where I mentioned it. As I recall, there was quite a variation in price depending on dates, so some flexibility could save you some money.
Getting there was not tough. Before after going to the Ryokan we stayed in a Kyoto hotel. We left most of our luggage there and took just what we needed for the two days. The Kyoto hotel helped with the arrangements (very little english spoken at the Ryokan). We took the train into the mountains, and a driver from the Ryokan was waiting to pick us up. Hope this helps.
Post a Comment