Hokkaikan Ohanabo

The owners are a warm, caring Japanese family who made us feel at home. We also liked the traditional clothes, made from lovely fabric, and the tatami rooms. Breakfast is worth trying, though it’s a lot, so eat lightly the night before. The hotel is in a beautiful old wooden heritage building, with fewer rooms and a boutique feel. Ask about the stairs. It’s near the bullet train and main station, with a Family Mart just a block away. Sound carries in the building, but the other guests were quiet and considerate. The Japanese bath was a nice place to soak after a day of walking.

The staff went out of their way to look after us. They let us leave our bags before check-in, and when it was raining at checkout and they saw we had no umbrellas, they wrapped our suitcases in waterproof plastic and lent us umbrellas. We’d been planning to buy some. We only stayed one night, but the ryokan gave us a taste of a more traditional Japanese stay. It’s a short walk from the station, in a historic-looking building with a temple across the road. We had the Seasonal Kyoto dinner course shown on the website, and both dinner and breakfast are offered. The food was delicious, the staff attentive, and we left completely full.

Dinner was an experience on its own, and the food was amazing. The room was incredible too, and we slept so well. We loved the traditional feel and the staff’s help in letting us experience the culture. Their effort made a big difference to our stay. We’ve rarely met such welcoming, friendly people, and we’ll come back on our next trip.

The onsen was a calm spot to unwind, and the staff were warm and friendly throughout. The owner’s hospitality gave the place a welcoming feel. We were also really impressed by the food, which looked as good as it tasted. A perfect Kyoto getaway for us.