Mikiya Ryokan

A calm, nicely kept ryokan where it’s easy to unwind.

Getting here is easy even without a car since it’s close to the bus stop, though the station is far away. The hot spring water comes straight from the source and felt really good. I especially liked the cypress bath, and the open-air bath was one of the most comfortable I’ve tried. It takes a short walk to reach it, but there are no steps to get in. The room was old, with pillars that showed how ancient the building is, but it was clean and comfortable. The inn was quiet and ideal for a restful stay. I was disappointed that there were no meals, so you have to eat out and miss the usual inn-style food. The reception is on the first floor, while rooms and baths are upstairs, so we didn’t really interact with the innkeeper.

The quiet setting made it feel like we’d left everyday life behind, and we could see the clear water of the Shima River outside. We stayed over New Year’s at this small inn, which has eight guest rooms on the second floor. The rooms have an old-established-inn look and a peaceful feel. The meals were so generous we couldn’t finish them, including a hearty breakfast. The Joshu beef cooked on a ceramic plate was especially delicious. The indoor and outdoor baths are in separate buildings. The indoor bath has shampoo and other amenities, and though its tub fits about four people, it felt spacious enough for us to relax. The outdoor bath can be booked for private use at certain times.

The meals were the highlight for me. Both the flavor and the portions left me very satisfied, even as a man in my 20s who’s in a sports club. One family member was delayed checking in because something unexpected came up, and the inn staff were kind and helpful, which made the trip pleasant. The building shows its age in places, but it’s clean, cared for, and has a calm atmosphere. Our room was roomy enough, with a large sink and mirror. The fridge comes stocked with drinks you pay for, so there’s not much space for your own things. Neither bath is especially big, but their size added to the peaceful feeling, and the water was excellent.