Ebisuya Araki Ryokan

For what we paid, nearly 20,000 yen per person per night, the food was disappointing. We’d read good things about it and looked forward to the meal, but got basic sashimi, tempura, and yellowtail collar. The building and facilities feel too old to be in condition to host guests, and it wasn’t worth the price. I won’t stay here again. The room was freezing, and I needed a down jacket to sleep. Its moldy smell and damp futon left me itchy the next day, and I suspect dust mites. The air conditioner was old and noisy without warming the room. The TV was a lousy little LCD set that looked about 30 years old. There are no room doors, just a hallway and sliding doors between rooms, so you hear people walking by and the security feels uneasy. There’s no sink or toilet in the room either. In the morning we had to use an aluminum sink with only cold outdoor water, and the toilets are unisex. They only take cash, no credit cards. This inn gets generally good reviews, which I find hard to believe. The whole experience even made me question the owner’s morals in running an inn.

A wonderful traditional Japanese place to stay, and the owner is incredibly friendly. Worth making a special trip for.

We stopped in for lunch at this historic inn. The interior is filled with precious items, and the biggest Bizen ware daruma in Japan is quite a sight. Drinks served in Bizen ware dishes have a mellow taste.

You can come here just for a meal, and if you love conger eel, it’s a must. The ryokan has been loved by notable people like Hibari Misora, Rosanjin Kitaoji, and Tsuyoshi Inukai.