Kotohira Onsen Onyado Shikishimakan

The kaiseki dinner was delicious, with lots of fish and beef cut and cooked so well it melted in my mouth. I enjoyed the variety, the artistic presentation, and the generous portions. Breakfast was just as abundant. They also offered complimentary yoghurt, tea and coffee, soba, and cookies at different times of day. The newly renovated ryokan is ideally placed for exploring the area, with a huge car park behind it. You do need to roll your luggage up a ramp. The staff gave us a warm welcome and check-in was easy. Tatami mats line the clean property, and our room was spacious with a comfortable bed. There are four private baths for guests, with no booking needed. You can use one for up to 45 minutes when it’s available. We really enjoyed our stay.

The inn is right by the start of the path to Kotohiragu Shrine, and both dinner and breakfast were delicious. The staff were friendly and helpful. It’s a great way for visitors from abroad to try a ryokan. The building has a historic feel, but the rooms and onsens have all been renovated, so the inside is comfortable. Some rooms include a private in-room onsen. All guests can also use four larger semi-private baths on the first floor, on a first-come, first-served basis for 45 minutes per slot. They have an outdoor onsen feel. There’s a large car park behind the hotel, and the staff will show you where to go when you arrive.

The outside of the ryokan is very Japanese and pretty, and the service was okay. WiFi was poor in both the rooms and restaurants. The food was acceptable, with just-right portions, but there wasn’t much variety. Since all the foreign guests were put in the same room, food service was slow. Breakfast was only okay.

The dinner was the highlight for me, refined and satisfying. It was a wonderful stay at this small ryokan, my second time staying at one run by Dormy-hotels. There are four private hot spring baths and one public bath for guests, plus free soba late at night. I visited in October 25.