Masuya Ryokan

The traditional Japanese breakfast was enjoyable, and I think I’d stay again if I visit izumo. My wife and I loved the room and its atmosphere. It has a vintage look with refurbished interiors, new bathroom facilities, and a courtyard view. It’s close to the bus station, and if you arrive by bus from JR, you can leave your luggage first. There were a lot of mosquitoes, though. It’s the countryside, so we expected that.

The service was awful and unpleasant. In nearly 40 years, I’ve never had a worse hotel experience. Several employees were there, but the oldest female employee acted and spoke in a childish way that was hard to believe in customer service. At dinner, she knocked hard on our door. We told her our child was asleep and that we’d arrive earlier than the time we’d requested at check-in. She got visibly angry, became aggressive in her words and actions, slammed the dinner tray onto the table, and left. Later, when we asked if she could check whether our room key had been taken while clearing the plates, she got furious and complained. The key wasn’t found until the next morning. At breakfast, before we’d even said anything, she protested in very childish language, saying, “I didn’t take the key. My child must have hidden it in their bag.” If you’re looking for a peaceful, relaxing trip, I strongly advise against staying here.

I used this as a base for a motorcycle tour in Izumo. The large guest room had been renovated and was clean and stylish. The hot spring in the communal bath was fantastic, easing the riding fatigue and leaving my skin smooth. It was a great place to recover after a day on the bike. I was also glad Izumo Taisha was just a two-minute walk away, so I could visit on foot early in the morning.

There weren’t any restaurants nearby, so I drove out in the evening, but breakfast was delicious. The common area has a massage chair, ping pong table, and coffee and espresso makers. My first-floor triple room had a big window overlooking the garden greenery, which made it feel open and spacious. They’d made up the sofa bed by the window, and having two tea sets meant I didn’t need to wash a cup before making another tea. The tea leaves and basic cosmetics weren’t individually packaged, but they were good. It was only a few minutes’ walk from the approach to Izumo Taisha Shrine, so I could go worship early in the morning.