Jinya Ryokan

The outdoor roten buro was well kept and a real highlight. We spent one night here, and everything from the room to the service felt top-notch. The staff were all so kind and welcoming. Dinner, with seasonal vegetables, fish, and fruit, gave us a memorable taste of Japan. I’m sure visitors from around the world could enjoy this stay as a traditional Japanese experience.

The Susumushi room was huge, practically the size of an apartment, and would be wonderful to share with family or friends. I stayed on my own, enjoyed its private indoor cypress bath, and later used the outdoor bath after hours. The stocked refrigerator was a thoughtful extra, and I liked the amenities in both the bathing and sleeping areas. Kaiseki dinner and breakfast were a real treat. Staff welcomed me in Japanese and English. Jinya is easy to reach from Tokyo, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an onsen ryokan experience that feels like a change of scenery. I’d love to come back with my family.

The private onsen overlooking the gardens gave us a lovely mix of privacy and beautiful scenery. My friend and I visited a while back, but it’s still a memorable trip. The room was spacious and comfortable, and the staff were kind and helpful. I’d recommend trying the multi-course dinner, with its range of ingredients and dishes that really engage the senses. A wonderful Ryokan!!

The staff’s care made our three-night honeymoon especially touching. They remembered small things we’d mentioned, and when we wanted to walk around, they lent us bicycles to reach a park that was difficult to get to on foot. We enjoyed the ride and could even see Mount Fuji in the distance. They also wrote a honeymoon message delicately on our dinner plate, which meant a lot to us. Their effort to communicate across the language barrier made the stay easy and enjoyable for international guests. Both the private and public onsens were great, and I loved wandering through the garden to watch the cute koi. Every morning and evening brought fine dining, with some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had. Jinya exceeded the high expectations I had for a Ryokan, and I left feeling deeply touched. I wholeheartedly recommend it. The place will stay with me, and deserves more than five stars. Finding out that Hayao Miyazaki spent part of his childhood here added another bit of magic. We spotted a tree featured in 'My Neighbor Totoro' and saw Miyazaki's signatures, a delightful extra to an already memorable stay.