moksa Rebirth Hotel

Our river-view room was spacious, clean, lovely, and stocked with wonderful toiletries. We had a really good breakfast each morning overlooking the garden, and the private charcoal sauna was a treat. The property itself is beautiful, and the staff were attentive and friendly. Getting public transport to the hotel was tricky at first, but we figured it out. We only stayed two nights and wished we'd booked longer. It was a highlight of our three weeks in Japan.

The area around Yase is peaceful and gorgeous, and we loved wandering near the hotel and going up Mount Hiei. It's a little outside Kyoto proper, which makes it a lovely break from the tourist bustle. We adored our stay at Moksa: our comfortable room was spotless, the restaurant was lovely, and both breakfast and dinner were fantastic. Everyone on staff was super friendly and attentive. I can't imagine how fussy people leaving poor reviews must be. Our stay was perfect, and I absolutely recommend it.

Moksa was one of the finest experiences I've had, and I absolutely recommend it. The rooms overlooking the river are beautiful, and the decor and style throughout are amazing. The service was unparalleled. Koichi was especially wonderful. From the moment we arrived, he made us feel welcome, spoke excellent English, and anticipated what we needed. His kindness and spirit alone would bring us back. We'll miss him.

We came away very disappointed. We'd expected more after reading reviews from foreign visitors, and I agree with Japanese reviewers that the hotel has a lot to improve. What it offers doesn't match either the price or its supposed concept. The good part was that they were accommodating with babies, and there was one English-speaking staff member. But all standard rooms are in the basement and felt damp and smelly. The sauna and spa cost an extra 19,500 yen for 90 minutes, which we accepted, but the space was small and modern with an underwhelming setup. The kitchen and waiting staff were Chinese, which in itself isn't an issue, but their manners and attitude didn't feel Japanese and affected our stay. At breakfast we could hear loud dishwashing and staff talking to each other in Chinese. At this price, and with the hotel's peaceful “rebirth” concept, eating with that noise in the background wasn't what we wanted. A Japanese front desk staff member also spoke impolitely to me throughout. When we asked whether we could get food through room service, since there was no lunch offered and nothing nearby, the answer was “no one is available“. For a hotel presenting itself as a “rebirth” retreat, I expected the sauna and spa to be available every day and either free to book or cheaper. I also expected more care in details like bath salt, a pleasant bathroom scent, or a tea room, maybe meditation or yoga. Instead, it felt like a cold modern hotel with a few photogenic spots. If you've been to Japan before, you know this doesn't come close to the standard hospitality there.