Ryokan Tanabe

We stayed one night with dinner in the room. Quite negative experience, the dinner is absolutely not up to the about 100 euros spent (no special flavors, nothing). Sake aside that we did not purchase. Disappointing room: neon light above the table for dinner, no view from the window , shabby bathroom. Considering the 300 euros spent on the room plus 100 for dinner, far too expensive. We were not at the onsen (scheduled times quite strict as well as for dinner by 7). Welcome cake in the lobby only from 3am to 6am. It all depends on what the traveler expects

It’s not just a hotel, it’s an experience in its own right. I'll be back for sure everything is amazing.

If visiting Japan then you can't not stay in a traditional Ryokan for at least part of your stay! This one is ideally situated about a 10 minute flat walk from the train station (so very easy for visiting other local towns like Hida Furukawa like we did) and a few minutes walk to the pedestrianised streets with their wooden traditional buildings. We were warmly welcomed and shown to our room (10) on the ground floor with a private hot spring (wooden) tub. The room was a bit jaded but warm and clean, the bathroom with the tub was small, cold (unheated) and smelt of mould and mildew and this was where we used the hand held shower to bathe. There was a separate sink outside the "Tub" room and in addition there was a separate WC and small sink in a small room off the main room's hallway entrance. Beds are traditional futons on the floor which are made up for you each night after dinner. We asked for 2 each so were a bit thicker than normal and we slept surprisingly well on them! We had the traditional Kaiseki meal the first night in our room, lots of small courses and we both found something that we liked and was very tasty. Breakfast is also served in your room the following morning at your chosen time and your futon and bedding will be cleared away before your breakfast is served. . This is a traditional Japanese breakfast (very fishy) so may not be to everyone's tastes! There seemed to be very few places open to get a European style or pastries for breakfast but there is a Mc Donalds at the back of the train station! On our second night we ate at Butchers just around the corner from the Ryokan. Excellent beef but quite expensive. Would recommend booking though as quite popular! There is a nice lounge area and complimentary sake is served in the afternoons while you can chat to other guests. Your outdoor shoes are left at the entrance and slippers are provided for use indoors but you select any pair that's your approximate size - would be much more hygienic to have clean numbered pairs that correspond to your room so they remain yours for the duration of your stay. The staff were absolutely charming, a couple spoke a little English but with the help of Google translate and a bit of gesturing we got by. Overall a nice stay and experience but the food may not be for everyone!