Yamamizuki Urara Tsutaya

Good location right across from the train station. Small quaint ryokan run by a nice couple. We did not understand 100% what a ryokan entails so it was an interesting experience. Dinner is at 6 and breakfast is at 8. You get a set meal and you need to show up for meals dressed in the gowns that they provide.   Most of it is delicious but some of it may be too adventurous for certain people. There’s plenty of food and many courses served at dinner, so you can find enough to eat. The small onsen is ok with a nice view of the mountains. Our room also had a nice view. I thought that when we booked it for 4 people, we would get a bigger room. However, I realized upon arrival that it was the same as a room for 2 people.  The living area is the same as the sleeping area and they just converted it by laying out sleeping mats while we were at dinner. There was barely enough room to open our luggage and we had to step on the sleeping areas to get across the room. I should have just booked 2 rooms and it would have cost the same.

The property is located just opposite the train station. We arrived at 9:30 am, did the check-in procedure, and then left luggage there so that we were luggage-free when we went on hiking on one of the section of the Nakasendo. We did not have to explain, the host simply accepted our luggage gracefully. The breakfast and dinner were delicious. The host and staff were very polite and helpful. Some of the staff spoke very good English and explained to us the different types of sauces for each dish. I think the facilities could be made better with some simple adjustments. The room was a bit small, we knew that when we made booking. However, I think the room could be more roomly if not so many furnitures were put in the room. The public bath room was small. If someone is having a shower, the water could easily splash into the bath water and persons sitting in the bath. I suggest the host to change the male and female baths into 2 private baths, allowing prior booking each time for 40 min. Booking can easily be done by self-service. With these minor adjustments, the stay could be more enjoyable.

When we arrived at the hotel we were too early to check in and the doors were firmly closed. It was a hot day so I went to tourism info office next door. They were so helpful as how we could fill a couple of hours and persuaded our hosts to open the doors and look after our back packs. The hotel is perfectly situated as a Base for doing the Nakasendo highway. Again top marks to the info office next door who provided a detailed timetable specifically for the walk. Made logistics very easy. The Onsen in the room was marvellous after a tough day's walking. The staff at the hotel were delightful and the food was the best we have had in 2 weeks in Japan. Perfect

Welcoming ryokan in the Kiso area. Nice room, clean. Good food for dinner, one morning we were offered an excellent western breakfast, so was excited for the next morning but sadly it had changed to a Japanese breakfast probably because the other guests were Japanese. We had been in Japan for a while and was a bit tired of the food !.... Towels are bit thin but they dry quickly. Dont provide towels for the onsen it seems. Lovely staff, very welcoming and caring.

One of the main highlights of our visit to Japan. A modernised traditional Ryokan with fantastic friendly customer service and outstanding food. Our room had the added bonus of its own hot tub with views of the mountains. The hotel is situated directly opposite the train station (but no noise from trains etc) making access to the villages and walks of the Kiso valley easily accessible. Faultless - would definitely recommend but you will need to book well in advance.

We felt very welcome here. A very genuine Ryokan experience, everything I had hoped for. The food presentation was amazing, it was a great opportunity to try out a variety of dishes and they accommodated my daughter's 'no meat' diet with ease.