We are thinking of spending one night in Takayama (from Kyoto) and then back to Fujisawa City where my MIL lives. (Hope that is doable). Any recommendations for a Ryokan in Takayama for 3 adults and two children (travelling with my mother in law). what is the best way to get some kind of discount on a Ryokan? Is there a place to book to get a discount or is it better to go through a travel agent or deal with the Ryokan itself? Any that discount children because frankly my 7 year old twins are fussy eaters. We are willing to do a slight splurge for something great but not $900/night for the five of us!

For Kyoto we are debating between the Three Sisters and the Christian Center (apparently a great deal and just hosts some sort of Christian thing a couple times per year). Although it looks a bit far outside of the center of the city which may be tough on my 85 year old MIL and 7 year old twins

thanks for any help!

Best prices for ryokan are usually direct booking, and generally in Japsnese. Yhr Japanese homepage offers many more plans than english about 95% of the time. Most ryokan will charge elementary school children 70% of adult charge provided the kids have a child meal. If you want the adult meal they pay full price. Pollicy varies a bit from place to place so double check even booking.

thanks!

We stayed at Sumiyoshi Ryokan in Takayama and loved it the room was delighful, the food exquisite and the owners were really friendly and helpful.

http://www.sumiyoshi-ryokan.com/englishfacilities.html

Some info and photos of our time there: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...4160/tpod.html

Sorry but I cannot recall how we booked

I just noticed that you said you could splurge but didn't want to spend $900 for the night. I think you'll need to adjust expectations. Sumiyoshi, for example, is at the lower end of the price range. If you get dinner and breakfast for everyone, with child discount, it'll be about $800 for the night. It isn't a splurge sort of place, though it is very nice for the price, and it caters to foreigners. I doubt you'll find a nicer place for the same price, and I'm sure you won't find nicer for the price. Splurge and ryokan in the same sentence means more like ¥30,000 ~ per person, not ¥14,000 it would cost for a night at Sumiyoshi. If you want splurge you'll need to increase your budget a lot.

Three Sisters in Kyoto is a bit odd in that they do not accept Japanese guests unless they are with foreigners. It caters exclusively to the foreigner market. If that doesn't bug you like it does me then it would perhaps be a nice choice. Your MIL may feel uncomfortable though in a place that conspicuously doesn't want Japanese guests?

thanks. That won't do for my MIL if they do not want Japanese guests!