“Così Così”
I was genuinely excited to stay at this ryokan to experience authentic Japanese tradition. From the moment I arrived, the staff were exceptionally kind, helpful, and attentive to guests’ needs. The room was spacious, giving me the choice between sleeping on traditional tatami or a standard bed, which I especially appreciated. It also had all the necessary comforts for a pleasant, relaxing stay. A major highlight was the private onsen, just a few steps from the room, consisting of two small hot‑spring tubs, a shower, and a sauna—intimate and well maintained, perfect for unwinding. I also enjoyed wearing a traditional kimono during my stay and dining in it, a truly special way to immerse myself in local culture. Unfortunately, the kaiseki dinner and breakfast fell short of our expectations. We were eager to try this traditional culinary experience, but both the dinner and breakfast did not meet our standards. Initially, we thought it might be a matter of personal taste, but a few days later we tried a kaiseki dinner elsewhere and found it far superior, suggesting the issue was more about the quality and offering at the ryokan than the cuisine itself. Breakfast was served exclusively in Japanese style with no Western alternatives, which we understood as an attempt at authenticity, yet we would have liked more choice, especially with international guests. Another downside was the ryokan’s location. Getting to Hakone from Tokyo was straightforward and well organized, but reaching the ryokan required more time and transfers than expected. It’s in the Gora area, which is quiet and surrounded by nature, yet not in the main part of Hakone and not close to major attractions like the lake, making travel less convenient than we had hoped. Overall, the stay had many positives—particularly the staff’s kindness, the room, and the private onsen—but the food and location did not meet our expectations, leaving the experience overall below what we had anticipated.
NoemiEen week geleden