Yachiyo Kappou & Ryokan

Yachiyo Ryokan was a lovely place to end our trip to Ise Shima and Ise Jingu. I wanted to enjoy Matsusaka beef kaiseki and stay overnight after the meal, and with only 7 guest rooms, Yachiyo offers that in a way restaurants serving beef kaiseki without lodging can't. Matsusaka beef is what Matsusaka is known for. Kobe beef may be more familiar to many foreigners, but to me Matsusaka beef is even better. The meal began with appetizers that were like little gems, then sashimi and plenty of Ise Ebi(spiny lobster), sweet and springy. The Matsusaka beef dishes that followed included stewed beef, chateaubriand, a beef roll salad, Japanese-style roast beef, and beef pot in sukiyaki style. The meat was so sweet and tender it practically melted, and I couldn't stop eating. I've never had anything like it outside Yachiyo Ryokan. Anyone who enjoys Kobe beef should try Yachiyo's Matsusaka beef Kaiseki. We had sparkling wine from Alsace and red wine from a winery near Marseille, and Yachiyo also has lots of tasty sake and unusual wines from places like Marseille and Alsace that pair well with kaiseki. Yachiyo is a nationally registered tangible cultural property. The building was built in the late Meiji period and renovated in the early Showa period, based on the private residence of Ozu Ozuichi, a wealthy Matsuzaka merchant associated with Mitsui and Hasegawa. The tatami rooms have shoji screens, fusuma sliding doors, wooden doors, and mud walls, all in a purely Japanese style. It feels nostalgic and comfortable.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

The old wooden building has a warm, nostalgic feel that you don't get in modern hotels, and I had a relaxing stay. The staff had also warned me ahead of time that nearby roads would be closed for a marathon on checkout day, which was helpful. My room was clean and comfortable, with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a humidifier for winter. The wooden Japanese-style room and sink had a Showa-era feel. There was bottled tea and water, plus tea and coffee, and the complimentary towel when I arrived was a thoughtful touch after travelling. They laid out the futon while I was at dinner, and when the waitress called me, handing over my key made it easy. Dinner was a highlight. The drink list covered local sake and wine, and I enjoyed picking drinks to go with the meal. The Matsusaka beef course started with appetizers, salad, and seared beef, all carefully prepared and delicious. Before cooking the steak, they showed me the meat and its individual identification number chart, then asked how I wanted it cooked. It melted in my mouth. The generous course ended with sukiyaki, and I left very satisfied. I booked the Chateaubriand course through Jalan for about ¥32,000 per person, and felt the food and service were good value. There are two private baths, both spacious and relaxing, with towels in the changing room and shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and facial cleanser in the bathroom. The restrooms on the first and second floors are new, very clean, and have washlets. Parking is paved and right beside the inn. One thing about the meal: it felt like the portions were the focus. The food was tasty, but fewer dishes or smaller portions with more attention on the main course might suit more people. I would also have been happier with chairs in the tatami dining room, though the floor seating did make for a relaxing Japanese-style meal. The traditional room locks confused me at first, but became part of the inn's charm. The food, rooms, atmosphere, and thoughtful details made this memorable. I'd like to come back if I get the chance, and recommend it to anyone wanting Matsusaka beef and the feel of a traditional inn.

Just under 25,000 yen gets you a full Matsusaka beef course and a night in this old cultural property building. There's no breakfast, but that still seems like good value. The inn is near the castle in central Matsusaka, about a 15-minute walk from Matsusaka Station. The food is the main draw: a distinctive Matsusaka beef kaiseki with steak, beef stew, and plenty of other beef dishes. To put it plainly, you could leave completely satisfied with the Matsusaka beef meal alone. I even got a certificate of authenticity for the beef. Lots of places serve Matsusaka beef, but this one stands out for both the building's standing and its beef kaiseki concept. Most of the inn was built before the war and is a nationally registered tangible cultural property. The rooms all have different furnishings and designs, and the building is an architectural marvel. The main hall is especially worth seeing, though I had a look without permission, sorry. My room had bamboo motifs in the ceiling, a bamboo alcove, and sliding doors painted with bamboo. The Japanese garden outside was carefully kept and very refined. Since it's an old building, I'm not sure how accessible it is for people with mobility concerns. It may be best to ask ahead.