Ryoso Kawaguchi

I'm so sad to hear this. They're closing permanently at the end of December this year, and this was my top choice for a Miyajima stay next year. I noticed it couldn't be booked on their website or elsewhere, and they kindly replied to my email promptly. It seems many long-running, well-loved Ryokan in Japan are shutting down. My favorite ryokan in Takayama also closed permanently last year, just a few months after I stayed there.

The care showed in everything, from the meal to the service at check-in and checkout. Dinner was full of delicious flavors and served with so much attention. Staying at a proper ryokan felt unlike anything else, and I think everyone should experience that glimpse of Japanese history and hospitality at least once. This was one of the highlights of our two weeks in Japan. If you get the chance to book a night on the island, take it. Arigato gozaimasu for such an incredible stay. 🙏

The dinner and breakfast package was absolutely worth it, and the room was lovely: clean, minimal, and looking out onto a little garden. They even arranged a private bath for us, and the staff were attentive and polite throughout. Ryoso is in a great spot, just off the main shopping street, where there’s plenty of food until 5pm, and only a five-minute walk from the floating gate. Best of all, we got to stay in a 300-year-old house. Couldn’t recommend it more.

The location is really convenient, and the price felt very good for what we got. I usually sleep lightly and had worried about hearing through the walls, but I slept well and didn’t hear the other guests. Dinner and breakfast were both quite good, and the service was great. There are two private baths, which you book with a staff member at check-in.