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Kinsuikan or Momiji-so ryokans on Miyajima

Kinsuikan or Momiji-so ryokans on Miyajima

Old Jan 11th, 2008, 09:26 PM
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Kinsuikan or Momiji-so ryokans on Miyajima

Does anyone have any recent experience with these? Not much out there regarding Kinsuikan at all. I did find positive reviews on Momijiso. They to be two very different styles.
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Old Jan 12th, 2008, 11:39 AM
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I stayed at Momijiso in 2002 and loved it -- as I recall, set in a maple forest (Momijiso means maple, I believe), part of the way up the mountain, close to the cable car station. Lovely view from my room, incredible many course meal. Seemed the best deal on the island.
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Old Jan 13th, 2008, 04:45 AM
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As stated above by bob, Momiji-so is located on the way up to Mt.Misen. If you are on foot, you will pass by Iwaya-so Ryokan (the most expensive on the Island) before getting Momiji-so. If you are by car, the route possibly be a different round about way. It's an isolated location so if you by chance wanted to wander around e.g. the central/sea-side area of the island after dinner, it may not be convenient but I understand the isolated location do appeal to some people.

Kinsuikan is located on the sea side between Miyajima boat station and the Shrine so in a sense that's very convenient. There are things to do even if many things close down early in early evening on the street. Also Kinsuikan advertises, it seemed, a special sort of health bath that I don't remember the details of. It has a main restaurant but in the back there is alos a izakaya - bistro style counter restaurant where I had a light noodle dinner at two occasions (once with a Spanish Cava champagne they had). It does like a large hotel so it may take tour groups if it matters to you, that would be less likely the case with Momiji-so. But I have never stayed at this hotel. Just looked like a place nice enough.

Actually I stayed once at Kinsuikan Bekkan (Annex) that is just across the street from the boat stop. Another large building. It was 2005 I think. I found there special for single room, less than 5000 yen, room only. The room was on the back side (so not much view). I'm not a big breakfast eater so that was fine. It was then when I went out and had a simple dinner at the bistro at Kinsuikan. I could have taken a dinner at my hotel but it would have costed a hefty supplement as they served only multi course kaeseki menus. One of the best features of this Bekkan for me was the common bath on the top floor with sea-view. Overall I thought I had more than enough for what I paid. And of course being by the boat station, on the day of departure, you can leave your luggage at the hotel and use your time until last minute before your boat's departs.
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Old Jan 13th, 2008, 01:36 PM
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I stayed at Momiji-so three years ago and loved it. We had the largest and best room, which has a lovely screened terrace that overlooked a koi pond and in the morning, deer came by and drank from the pond. The room was simple and comfortable and the owners are lovely and picked us up at the train station and drove us back when we left. The dinner was spectacular. Oysters were in season and we had course after course of giant oysters that were fantastic. You also have a choice of Japanese or American/English breakfast (eggs, etc).
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Old Jan 13th, 2008, 02:25 PM
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We stayed at Momijiso in March last year. We arrived from the ferry and the woman at the tourist office kindly rang to let the ryokan know we had arrived. The owners son came to pick us up and take us to Momijiso which is as a previous poster comments out of towm in the sense that its on the hillside of the national park (still a fairly easy walk into the town but not with luggage!). We had a downstairs room - it was very nice - plain as Japanese rooms are. The bathroom though was very small and not the best. At night our beds were put out and it was very nice and cosy. Food was very good. They have hot baths that can be used and that was very good too.
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Old Jan 14th, 2008, 11:04 AM
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Momiji-so was my first choice. It seemed it would have a "homier" more authentic feel. Unfortunately when I tried to reserve there were no vacancies so we are staying at Kinsuikan instead. I'm sure this will be just as enjoyable - just a different that Momijiso offered. I'll be sure to post about the experience upon our return.
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Old Jan 14th, 2008, 11:26 AM
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jmsvss,

Would you mind telling us how you booked Kinsuikan? Did you call them direct or use an agent?

Aloha!
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Old Jan 14th, 2008, 12:00 PM
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Looks nice - they have a website...

http://www.kinsuikan.jp/en/index.html
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Old Jan 14th, 2008, 12:59 PM
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I went through Japanese Guest Houses. I usually like to do things directly but I was having trouble contactly a couple of the places I was interested in. I was very impressed with their prompt response. We are staying at ryokan in Yamagata, Takayama, and Miyajima. I contacted them on Sunday and had my reservations confirmed by Monday. Before contactly Japanese Guest House, I tried emailing ryokan directly and then I tried a local Japanese travel agency. The travel agency told me I would have to wait until 60 days out. I was sure this would be a mistake considering the holiday week in Japan. I will say that I was not able to get my first choice at two of the locations - they were already booked. However Japanese Guests House did offer comparable alternatives that I think we will be happy with.

Good luck!
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Old Jan 14th, 2008, 02:39 PM
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I used Japanese Guest Houses in 2002 and again in 2005. Jeff Aasgaard was very helpful -- including finding alternative accommodations on short notice when a scheduling problem came up in Kyoto.
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Old Jan 15th, 2008, 08:11 AM
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jmsvss,

That was my experience also. I called Kinsuikan direct and they said that they could not book until 60 days. I've used JGH several times before but they could not get a booking until Jan for a booking in April so I ended up booking with JGH at Iwaso Ryokan.

Please let us know how Kinsuikan was when you get back!

Aloha!
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