Kominkayado Loof Kyonoie

We ended the evening with records and a drink after spending a relaxed day at Rufu, including a bonfire. The food was delicious, and the hearth made it just the kind of experience we were hoping for. On arrival, the space was so big we mistook it for a lobby. Inside, it feels like a traditional Japanese house, with books showing how it looked before the renovation. They did a great job with the renovation. I’d recommend it to anyone. Just a heads-up, the bath floor is colder than you might expect.

We’ve stayed here many times, in different seasons, usually for two nights and three days. It’s generally a great place, and the staff work hard. There may be an all-inclusive plan, but the free alcohol selection is very limited, so I’d recommend mailing your preferred wine, sake, beer, and so on ahead of time. You can have fun with karaoke and fireworks too, and I suggest mailing those as well. This September, though, dinner left us unsettled. The hearth BBQ used to include sausages and kalbi ribs on similar plans, but those weren’t served this time, and we didn’t feel full at all. I’d sent a hot pot set ahead for lunch on the second night, and that ended up filling us. My parents, who are in their 60s and 70s, also said there wasn’t enough food. I don’t know if this was cost-cutting or if the items were simply forgotten. There were also centipedes. One appeared in the room, another in the bathroom, and one was on the eaves while we were setting off fireworks. I understand they may be hard to avoid in an old Japanese house in this location. Still, my child was bitten indoors during dinner, and seeing them show up again made me uneasy. We’ve never had a problem with the food quantity or centipedes on past visits, so maybe I was just more concerned this time. I still think it’s a good inn, and perhaps we came at a bad time, but it was painful to see my child suffering when we’d come to relax. I hope future guests can prepare to avoid the same thing.

We came for a three-generation summer vacation, and the spacious renovated house was wonderfully relaxing. It keeps its old Japanese character while adding modern plumbing. Female staff member H made us feel at home with her warm, family-like hospitality. The inn sits in a village along the Shiokawa River, in a lovely traditional landscape. The little sign marked "Ru" makes it easy to find, though the road is narrow, and the large parking area is easy to use. Hishi Shrine is nearby and has a real sense of history. The irori kaiseki had lots of dishes made with quality ingredients and skillfully grilled. My favorite was the Shingen chicken, with its very crisp skin from the strong indirect heat. The cypress open-air bath was a treat and available anytime. My grandchild was so happy they said they want to come back next year.