Utsuroi Tsuchiya Annex

We had a lovely breakfast and really enjoyed the town and the traditional Japanese room. We slept well, too. There wasn't a shower or bath in our room, but since we were there just one night and had visited four great bath houses the day before, that wasn't much of an issue. There's a traditional bath on the first floor that we could have used without sharing it with anyone.

The balcony was a favorite spot. Sitting in the egg chair and watching people wander past was so relaxing, with the town in view. UTSUROI is on the far side of town from the train station, so convenience stores are a bit farther away, though still walkable. Kono Yu, which was our favorite bath, is very close. The mother and son who own the place made us feel at home, and it was clear they really care about guests. Kazuki spoke English very well, had a great sense of humour, and was thoughtful and attentive throughout. Our room felt cozy, and the futon and blanket were incredibly comfortable. We probably slept better there than anywhere else on our trip. A couple of small things to know: there was a noticeable incense smell in the hallway, but I’m usually sensitive to scents and found it soothing, with no reaction. The wifi was a little unreliable at times. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we’re already planning another visit. Next time we’ll stay in the main building and try the food. I wholeheartedly recommend Tsuchiya, either the annex or the main building, for a trip to Kinosaki ❤️

It was pleasantly quiet and tucked a little away from the busiest part of town, while still being accessible. I really appreciated that balance. The building has a beautiful, calm atmosphere, and the hosts were warm, attentive, and thoughtful. They took time to explain how everything worked, including how to wear and use the traditional robes for walking around town and visiting the onsens. That made the stay feel welcoming from the beginning. I’d absolutely recommend UTSUROI TSUCHIYA ANNEX to anyone after a peaceful, high-quality stay in Kinosaki with hosts who care about their guests.

The room was comfortable and stayed warm for me even with the heat set to just 20C. The futon was long enough for me to get extra cozy, too. The caretaker was friendly, patient, fluent in English, and knew a lot. They explained everything and also gave us written instructions. We got a framed picture of ourselves in yukata, and they delivered our bags to the next ryokan. Wish we'd stayed here a second night!