Akebono Ryokan

Akiko and her husband were warm, thoughtful, and kind before and during our stay. I especially appreciated Akiko speaking fluent English and helping before we arrived by booking restaurants, sharing information, and keeping me updated. The guesthouse is an old building, well maintained over the years, with clean, convenient rooms and facilities. Dinner and breakfast were both excellent. The hot pot beef was tender, juicy, and had a distinctive flavour I'd never tried before. We stayed one day and night in early April 2019 to see the Sakura. The castle, train station, and shopping malls are all conveniently close: you can walk to the castle or station in a little over ten minutes, and the malls are just around the house. The hallway and toilet were a little cold at night, so the owners might want to improve the insulation if possible. Still, it was an amazing stay, and I'd definitely recommend it. Don't miss it!

You can enjoy a nice dose of old-school Japanese music during your stay. The inn is also handily placed in central Tsuyama.

The duck hot pot still tastes just as good as I remembered, and I polished off the soba and rice porridge at the end too, probably eating more than I should have, lol. I came back after 20 years. The outside has barely changed, while the baths and interior have been renovated. Akebono Ryokan still carries on the spirit of its former landlady while aiming for a new standard. I'll keep supporting them, and I'll definitely return! ♪♬

There was a good range of craft beer, which beer fans should appreciate. Dinner's sozuri hot pot and the breakfast were both tasty, with portions that felt right for one person. My room looked out over the courtyard, and I had a quiet, relaxing stay in this historic building. The bathroom is much like a big tub at home, as others have said, but it does lock from inside. There isn't a public bath or hot spring nearby. The toilet is shared, though having a sink in the room made getting ready in the morning easy. I'd like to stay here again.