Izumiso

A lovely place to eat, tucked among the woods. You can stay overnight here as well.

On my last visit, I tried ayu (sweetfish) sashimi for the first time and was amazed by how good it tasted. Everything I’ve eaten here has been delicious. This year I specifically ordered carp, and they brought out several dishes, from sashimi to stew. The sashimi had firm flesh and came with vinegared miso. I definitely want to come back.

We went during Golden Week, and despite the bad weather and a slightly narrow forest road at the end, the inn’s setting among fresh greenery was wonderful. The courtyard is beautiful, and the whole place has a lovely atmosphere. May Festival dolls by the entrance were magnificent. I was a little nervous about bringing our small child, but the inn is small and there weren’t many guests even during the holiday. We could enjoy meals and the large public bath with our son at our own pace for the first time, which was a real help. Everyone on staff was so kind to him. The room smelled of tatami and wood, giving it the warm, nostalgic feel of a traditional Japanese inn. We’ve been staying in hotels a lot lately, and on the way home my wife and I said we’d like to stay in a traditional inn like this again. The food was as good as I’d heard. The late-night meal had lots to choose from, especially the stone-grilled meat, freshly grilled ayu (sweetfish), and tempura, all exquisite. Breakfast had a wide selection too. I’m not young anymore, but I ate four servings of rice because the white rice was so good!

The room was tidy, and its big window looked out on nature and a stream, which made it feel open and relaxing. The food was delicious and clearly prepared with a lot of care.