Cafe&Guest House Kaziya

The course dinner was extraordinary for the price, a real culinary treat. The chef also runs the ryokan across the street, an established inn that's been around since the Edo period for well over 150 years. He clearly knows Japanese cooking by heart and is also skilled in French and Italian food. As the previous reviewer said, this little ‘guest house’ was the biggest surprise of my week-long New Year trip. The room was tiny, as expected. If you're thinking of visiting Chūsonji temple, stay here if there's still a room available.

Such a good surprise. This is a lovely cottage-style guest house, with a delicious five-course dinner and French toast for breakfast. A great place to stay if you're visiting the area.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I got to Ichonoseki, but this guest house turned out great. The staff were all friendly and gave us useful tips on things to do and places to eat. We enjoyed the meal there too. Be sure to get the meals if you visit, and stop by Patisserie Fuji and Bar Gatsby. I also found it interesting that there's a patisserie and a bar nearby. It seems the cafe owner, bar owner, and patisserie owner are friends who returned to their hometowns around the same time and opened cool shops independently.

We only had the two breakfasts included with our stay, but both were among the best meals I've had while traveling. They were homey, comforting, and a wonderful way to start the day. I know they serve lunch and dinner too. My wife and I stayed two nights in a Japanese-style room, which made a lovely base for exploring Higashiyama, Ichinoseki, and Hiraizumi. I've visited Japan many times, and I prefer the smaller towns and countryside to big cities and bright lights. This area was no exception. The staff were warm and friendly, and the room, bathroom, and bathing rooms were clean, tidy, and comfortable. The whole property felt peaceful. If you're up early like me, I'd suggest taking a bath, then walking across the causeway through sleepy Higashiyama to the 24-hour Family Mart. Have a hot coffee in the conbini while watching the cars go by, then walk back in the morning air, journal, and enjoy a homemade breakfast made with local ingredients. It was heaven.