Kinosaki Onsen Oyado Seri

We loved the scenic setting away from kinosakionsen’s busy streets, and the food was delicious. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the center, though an on-demand shuttle runs to and from most popular spots in town. It operates from 7am to 1030pm, with breaks in between. Lan and Tou were incredibly hospitable, and their kindness made our stay at oyado seri even more memorable. Would definitely recommend it.

The meals were topnotch, especially the Tajima beef shabu shabu, and the service was friendly. We loved the large hybrid Western-Japanese room, with separate sleeping and dining spaces and a view of the marsh. The baths also looked out over the marsh, and there’s a nice family bath to book when you check in. The town center is about a 15-minute walk, but a free van will drop you off and pick you up. Hotel guests can enter some of the town baths for free. Give this lovely little modern ryokan a try.

It was quiet and peaceful, just right for relaxing. From the room and the lobby, I could see the mountain and a large pond, and sometimes ducks and a stork were there. I also saw cranes stopping by. I think you only get this sort of view in Kinosaki at Oyado Seri, since it’s away from the busy streets. There was construction on the roads leading to the ryokan, and it’s a bit far from the main onsen street, but that distance may be part of what makes the setting so lovely. The lobby was nicely decorated and welcoming when I arrived. Serizawa-san, who runs the ryokan with his mother, greeted me, and they carried our carry-on bags up to the room. The view from the room was the same beautiful mountain and pond scenery.

Dinner was remarkable. We had the Shabu Shabu and Tajima beef meal, and I’ve never had a meal that good. Our host, Angel, guided us through the courses and had a great conversation with us. Every dish felt carefully planned and beautifully presented. Breakfast the next morning was tasty too. The price was great for such an unforgettable visit, and I fully recommend Oyado Seri. I’ve attached photos of a few dinner courses, the room, and the view. We stayed one night. The room was spacious and beautiful, with lovely views and tatami in wonderful condition. There’s a peaceful private onsen you can reserve during your stay, and Yukata’s were provided for going into Kinosaki. The kind, attentive hosts welcomed us as soon as we came in, and staff spoke enough English to communicate with us. The ryokan is about a 10-15 minute walk from the heart of Kinosaki, but its shuttle can take you to any onsen. We were an hour past ‘last call’ for the shuttle, and the hosts still came to pick us up. I’m writing as an English-speaking foreigner to help other foreigners and tourists traveling in Kinosaki.