Going to be in Japan next week based in Osaka but would like to spend one or two nights at a ryokan in Hiroshima or Miyajima. Need names, prices, input, critiques, etc. Checked www.japaneseguesthouses.com which had very good info but no personal recommendations or experiences. All input appreciated!

Not a specific recommendation as such....but I'd recommend Miyajima over Hiroshima for a ryokan stay. Hiroshima is a big city...well worth visit for the Peace Park. Miyajima is beautiful, quiet, many deer, nice hiking. japaneseguesthouses.com lists nice places. I've visited Miyajima twice, but never stayed t here. From looking at those offered on the site, I'd choose for myself Momijiso as it is smaller than some of the others and not in a concrete multi-story building. Smaller places often make for a nicer stay in my opinion.

We stayed at Iwaso on Miyajima last October and absolutely loved it! We had two spectatular kaiseki feasts there. Highly recommended. I don't recall the price, but I know it was on the expensive side, but worth it in our opinion.

KimJapan: You're so right - after looking both over, Miyajima looks so much better!

Jaydreb5: Iwaso does indeed look spectacular. Thanks for the personal recommendation, that's what I was looking for - personal account from someone who's stayed there.

Momijiso looks good too - anyone stayed there?

I'm going to Japan next week as well. While I cannot give a recommendation at this time, I can tell you we are staying at Momijiso the night of March 21. Iwaso looked great too but was too expensive. I thought Momijiso looked just as nice. Guidebooks I've read recommend them both.

I'm going to Japan at the end of the month as well. I'll be staying in Miyajima for two nights. I've looked at a few places and decided on Ryoso Kawaguchi. I found it and other places listed ohere: http://gambo-ad.com/english/kensaku/loca(miyajima).htm

we stayed at Jukeiso. it was a really special place in a wonderful location with wonderful views. i think it was a bit pricey however.
would definitely go back!!

We really enjoyed the Guest House Kikugawa two summers ago. The owner is a fabulous cook and it was wonderful to eat dinner there.

Has anyone stayed at the Miyajima Kinsuikan? Is it worth the price? I am looking for an ocean view room but also I want to stay in a traditional Ryokan. Do you have any recommendations?

Another vote for Kikugawa on Miyajima. Great food, nice rooms, pleasant owners. good location. We stayed 2 nights and we were given a discount without even asking for it.

Todai: What a coincidence - Miyajima Kansuikan was the one we ended up staying at! It was incredible - I can't recommend it enough. The accomodations, the service, the location, the hospitality, the food - everything, first rate and worth every penny. I believe some of the rooms do have ocean views.

Go, enjoy and come back with a trip report (hopefully you'll do better than I have, still working on my report almost a year later...)!!!

hightide

I stayed at Momijiso and enjoyed it quite a bit. The meal was excellent and included Hiroshima beef and fish from the Inland Sea. The room was nicely furnished and had a nook with a table and two chairs that was like an enclosed balcony. In woods next to a stream. The private bath had a typical Japanese bath (soaking) tub. There was a shower next to it which, down lower, had a faucet and there was a stool where you could clean up like at an onsen. Have the info lady at the port call them and they will come to pick you up.

With the help of a Japanese speaker, I found that on http://www.gambo-ad.com/miyajima/english/index.htm, the English version shows what dates are taken and available, but on the Japanese version, a 3rd symbol(triangle) shows when available rooms are limited and running out. Using the reservation form, I got a reply w/in 24 hours that they couldn't accomodate my request and they recommended another ryokan w/ openings.... I ended up reserving a room via email directly through Jukeiso's site. The website's English price chart doesn't make clear that the room rates are per person and do include meals: http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~jukeiso/e/index.html. Can't wait!