GUESTHOUSE YANAGIYA - Hostel

The host made us feel at home, even though chatting across the language barrier took some effort. She gave us a thoughtful tour and was so warm and welcoming that I’d give her 10 stars. I’d felt a little out of place in much of Japan, so that meant a lot. We also loved the town, the nearby castle ruins, and a very cute little cafe, all an easy walk away. The place was spotless, as far as we could tell. We were in and out quickly that night, so we didn’t see the showers. The pillows and blankets were comfortable. The mats were comfier than I expected, though I woke up a little sore, probably because I’m an almost middle aged American used to a fluffy bed.

I found the stay awesome, though it’s hard to put into words. It was comfortable and relatively cheap compared with traditional places in the big cities. Since this was my first ryokan, some customs caught me off guard as an American, like not eating in the room and the strict no shoes rule. I probably should have expected that adjustment. The host was incredibly accommodating and helpful. I might write a longer review or blog about it later.

I stayed in the shared bunk room, which had desk fans but no air conditioning. Even in midsummer, it didn’t feel too hot, though I’m used to tropical weather. When I went to check out, the innkeeper was away, and it seemed fine to leave without telling her, as the other guests did. I left my bag under the stairs while I walked around town, until about 3-ish, but it was unattended. The innkeeper was thorough and sweet, with a little English, and patient about explaining things. Sometimes she was away, but there was a phone number on the counter and she’d come back within minutes if called. As a foreign visitor without an easy way to get a Japanese number, I had to call her using Skype. The place was affordable, very clean, and cosy in a nice way. I stayed 2024/08/21~22.

The castle ruins nearby were interesting, and the signs there were bilingual. I only managed one night, but I’d stay again. The staff were kind and accommodating, and the kitchen was well equipped. There’s also an izakya just a couple of minutes away. It’s a very clean, modern setup inside a traditional house, in a lovely town close to the station.