Yamamoto Ryokan

It was a distinctive stay and I didn’t have anything to complain about. The location is pretty good, and the tatami room with a futon gave me that old, homey feel. The house is larger inside than it first appears, so getting to the toilet or shower can mean a few extra steps. The shower I found was the sit-down kind used in onsens. There was a cute, friendly dog around. Just be aware it was there. For taller or larger people, it may be awkward: over 180cm, you risk hitting your head, and using the toilet felt like a dance between four walls with barely any room. I only spoke with someone at check-in. If you need help, you might get service, but I’m not sure. I’d also expect communication could be difficult unless you speak Japanese.

The shower room was well maintained, but the building is old and about half the bidets don’t work very well. There’s only one charging spot in each room. If breakfast is available, get it, the home-cooked food is delicious. It’s a good location and has a Ryokan-style setup, so you need to take your shoes off indoors. I’d recommend it overall because of where it is.

The hallways are narrow, especially the staircases, so the place may not suit larger guests or anyone with limited mobility. The neighborhood itself is quiet and pleasant, with local shops and convenience stores just metres away. I really enjoyed staying at Yamamoto Ryokan. Check-in was simple enough, though there’s a 200yen fee, which I was happy to pay to support tourism in the city. You leave your shoes at reception and change into slippers. The room had plenty of storage and space to move around without feeling cramped. The futon mattress was more comfortable than many beds I’ve slept in. They also provide a toothbrush and a robe for wearing around the room or Ryokan. There’s a basin and mirror on the balcony, cool A/C in the room, and a basic TV with japanese channels if you want to watch. WiFi is available, and there’s a communal bath that was relaxing to use. I know people say it’s old and outdated, but to me that gives it vintage charm. Staying here felt like stepping into another era of Japanese life, away from the modernized world just outside.

The place is charmingly old, and the staff were nice. The shared bath and toilets are Japanese-style, and there was a cute, friendly dog. It’s a cool experience, and the stay was kind of comfy, but the thin walls let voices and footsteps through. My biggest complaint was room 110, which was infested with bugs and snails. I killed maybe 3 snails and 10-15 bugs. I don’t know whether the other rooms are the same. If you can sleep around bugs and want a cheap stay, it could work. Otherwise, sadly, I’d try somewhere else.