travelgourmet

Hey All - looking for a ryokan. Original plan of Hakone Ginyu is out due to lack of availability. Before I go ahead and book Gora Kadan does anyone else have any recommendations?

Looking for luxury, preferably Japanese-style rooms, and very good food. Private bath is non-negotiable. Looking for two nights total. Price not really a concern, but always appreciate a bargain.

There was one other ryokan that I had seen but can't find again. It was the former vacation home of some industrialist, IIRC. IIRC, it had restaurants open to the public too, including a teppanyaki place? Looked top notch. I think the place is an historic landmark now. If anyone knows what I may be talking about and especially if anyone can contrast with Gora Kadan, that would be great.

Thanks for the help.

travelgourmet

Figured out the other place that looked good - Suishoen. Anyone with any thoughts on how it compares vs Gora Kadan?

kja

have you seen japaneseguesthouses.com?

KimJapan

Gora Kadan or Suishoen you won't go wrong with either one. Besides location, the only difference may be that Gora Kadan may see more international guests, not because it's any better but because it's gotten more talk. You'll be thrilled in either one, especially if you go for the nicer suites rather than rooms. Ginyu might also have available rooms but have allocated them to agents.

travelgourmet

Thanks both. Gora Kadan looks to be out for our dates anyway. Still keeping Suishoen in our back pocket - I am intrigued by the option for teppanyaki on a two-night stay, but I'm not crazy about the decor as I think it a bit Western and hotel-like.

At this point, we may be leaning toward going further afield and staying at Beniya Mukayu. Any thoughts? The town it is in seems a bit underwhelming, but figured we could take a day trip to Kanazawa and the architecture and design looks like exactly what we are looking for.

DonTopaz

Does the ryokan have to be in Hakone? If you'll be in Kyoto, Hiiragiya might be what you're looking for. Japanese-style rooms that are understated and gorgeous, many with a small private garden. And the dinners are beyond belief. I stayed there for 2 nights a while back, and also had a teppanyaki option for the 2nd night. It's also smack dab in the center of town, which makes sightseeing convenient.

KimJapan

Beniya Mukayu is certainly an option for Kanazawa - super nice owners. Also have a look at Kayotei - more traditional style and in a cuter town but just as near Kanazawa.

travelgourmet

<i>If you'll be in Kyoto, Hiiragiya might be what you're looking for.</i>

Thanks for the suggestion, but we are skipping Kyoto this time. We went there on our last visit and want somewhere new.

<i>Beniya Mukayu is certainly an option for Kanazawa - super nice owners.</i>

Good to know. Thanks.

kalihiwai2

We hd a great time at the Kashiwaya Ryokan at Shima Onsen in Gunma . About 3 hours from Tokyo. We booked the all inclusive dinner/breakfast bus package. The bus leaves from Yaesu Street in front of Tokyo Station and drops you back there after the stay. We sent our bags ahead to our next stop and travelled with light day packs. Two days in a small mountain town with other public baths and light hiking with great food and service. They have a good english web presence. We travelled mid week and it wasn't that crowded so tried all the private baths as well as some of the others available in the area. A little off the beaten track but perfect for us. We'd like to go back
http://www.kashiwaya.org/e/

Kavey

I did a lot of research for a recent article I wrote about staying in Japanese Ryokans for a food and travel print magazine. As well as featuring ryokans I'd stayed in, I liaised with the Japan National Tourist Organisation and Japan Ryokan Association for images and details and quotes from ryokans that were additional examples of various aspects of ryokan living that I was looking to cover in my article.

So I've not stayed at these two but they look really appealing and perhaps one might fit your requirements and within reach of Tokyo:

Hoshinoya Karuizawa (Nagano Prefecture)
Mikawaya Ryokan (Hakone)

Hope this might be of help.