Ryokan Kusanagi Ryokan

The package with dinner and breakfast was a great deal for two adults and two toddlers.

The staff are just so good at looking after people! ♪(≧∇≦)b

I stayed in the new building and was surprised to find check-in was unmanned. It’s reassuring that you can reach someone right away through the intercom if anything comes up. There are supermarkets and restaurants nearby, so booking a room without meals works out fine.

I called to book and was told that I shouldn’t stay there. They said they had my phone number recorded, that the call had been recorded, and that they would report the incident to the police. Here’s what happened. When I explained on the phone that I’d be traveling alone, I was told I couldn’t reserve the large public bath by myself and was asked to book a room with a shower. But the shower rooms were full, so I had to use the large bath. They don’t take bath reservations from solo guests, which meant I had to wait for a time when no families had booked. Families would be shown a sign saying “Mr./Ms. XX is bathing,” but solo guests who chose to bathe at that time wouldn’t be accommodated. Families also get priority, so guests might be asked to leave the bath if a family checks in late. After I listened to this explanation for about two minutes, it seemed to be treated as common sense. I was told they wouldn’t accommodate me because I was being unreasonable. They also said that if I booked through a reservation site and showed up, they would report me and call the police. I tried to speak politely, but apparently I made the other person uncomfortable. If you’re considering a stay, I hope you’ll read my post and check the official website carefully. Words like “refusal of accommodation” and “report” are upsetting. I hope sharing this means fewer people have an unpleasant experience. If you’re from overseas, please translate the passage above.