Kibune Hiroya

Kifune was peaceful and relaxing, right beside the river. We stayed in a traditional tatami-style room for SGD 680 a night, with dinner and breakfast included. Both meals were plentiful and delicious, and the service was exceptionally attentive.

We booked online easily and had dinner, then took the restaurant’s shuttle bus back to Kifuneguchi Eizan station. The service was good, and its spot right beside Kifune Shrine is a real advantage over the other places. It’s a lovely place for kawadokoriver terrace cuisine in the hot summer. We had the conger eel shabu set, which was fresh and tasty.

The most memorable moment happened after checkout, when our vehicle wouldn’t start as we were about to leave. All the staff came out to help and eventually got it going. One hostess even stayed outside watching the vehicle until we drove off safely. I’m deeply grateful to everyone at Hiroya for their kindness, and this was the most remarkable experience I’ve had in Japan. The staff were friendly and accommodating throughout our two-night stay, even though we understood little Japanese. During Kaiseki they patiently explained each dish and made sure to communicate with us. They also drove us to Kurama for our hike and had tea ready when we returned. This was my first ryokan experience in Japan, and it was incredible. The rooms were comfortable with a lovely river view, and the food was excellent. There were separate bathhouses for men and women, open in the morning and at night. I highly recommend Hiroya to anyone planning to visit Kibune.

Satoshi speaks English very well, and when he wasn’t sure about something, he looked it up so nothing was lost in translation. He was sweet, kind, and helpful. Azusa hosted and served us, making sure we had everything we needed, and was just as welcoming. Our chef, Kotsuke Hamamoto, did a wonderful job adjusting traditional meals for my gluten-free diet, with only slight changes to remove gluten. I really appreciated the effort. The staff went out of their way to make the stay special. They explained what we were eating, translated it into English, and took care to assure me the meals were safe. Breakfast and dinner were included, and they accommodated my gluten-free needs. The room was clean, comfortable, and well stocked. I loved the warm futon on tatami, and the river and mountainside view was beautiful. It’s the best hotel stay I’ve ever had. The hotel is just steps from the Kiburne entrance to the Kiburne-Kurama hike. I found this direction easier: it starts with a climb, then descends for the rest of the route. The Kurama-Kiburne direction has much more elevation gain. We visited the shrines and temples along the way, then walked about half an hour from Kurama back to Kiburne, an easy, pleasant walk. You can take a bus instead, and the hotel also offers a shuttle to drop you off or pick you up in Kurama. Mount Kurama is the birthplace of Reiki, a Japanese healing technique. The mountain has a peaceful energy wherever you are, even at the hotel. For relaxation and renewal, this is the place.