Ryori Ryokan Murasawa

The dinner service and food made a strong impression on me. It was served in the room, and the meal tasted excellent. I could tell they’d put thought into making it easy and comfortable to eat, without making a show of it. The mushy rice and cold tempura were letdowns, but even with those, the considerate service and overall flavor were good enough for a perfect score. Paying by card was convenient too. Murasawa has a nostalgic feel, a bit like visiting your grandmother’s house. The room was small and simply furnished in Japanese style, but the view from the window was lovely, with flowers all around. In early April the cherry and plum blossoms were beautiful. The flowering peach trees were still budding, though there were plenty of other flowers to see. The town is easy to reach from Nagoya and is known for its starry sky and flowering peach trees. The shared baths are separated by gender, but the washing area is cramped, with only 3-4 stalls. The water felt a little lukewarm. There’s just one shared toilet outside the rooms, and no bidet, so the toilet situation wasn’t great. The waitress seemed to have trouble walking, and I was surprised when she asked us to move the chairs and food while serving. At breakfast, we’d been told we could have as much rice as we wanted, but when we asked for more she looked displeased and took a noticeable time to bring it. That was unpleasant. If they improved the customer service, I’d want to stay again.

The food was pretty tasty, and the white sign cat and poodle were both adorable and relaxing to be around. We stayed with our two dogs, and it was good value, but there’s a lot that could be improved. As other guests have said, the room smell really bothered me. Wouldn’t deodorizer just make it worse? An air purifier is definitely needed. The stink bugs were concerning too, though I suppose that comes with the building’s structure. The bath is open all day and night, but when I went around midnight, it was so dark I couldn’t see where I was stepping or find the lights. The stairs felt really dangerous. Even a little lighting would make things safer for guests. The water was also a bit warm, so it might feel inadequate in the colder season.

The morning market made for a nice stroll, and the peach blossoms were in full bloom when we visited. From our room, we could look out over them, and the view right in front of the inn was magnificent. We also had delicious meals that were carefully prepared.

It’s a warm, homey inn, and the staff were all kind. I felt very comfortable there. The resident cat, Tofu-chan, was adorable, and the room was clean with no noticeable smell. There weren’t strict pet rules. Our pet could even sleep in the same bed with us, so we could relax without worrying. I’d recommend it to pet owners who aren’t bothered by small details. If you’re very particular about things, it may not suit you.