Momijiya Honkan Takao Sansou Ryokan

The quality of this accommodation was extremely poor. It fell way short of an acceptable standard and regretfully I had to check-out after only one night (we had booked for three). It transpired there is a total contrast between the main building (where I was housed) and a much newer annex: both offered at the same rate. Our room in the former was old and tired with chipped woodwork, stained carpets, torn screens, dirty bathroom grouting and rusty fitments. The public bath / hot springs facilities were similarly disappointing – old and tired – with barely enough room for two or three people at a time.On registering my disappointment, I was told that these elements of my accommodation were considered “retro” and apparently extremely popular. Popular perhaps in the 1960’s when everything was fresh and new but the time had clearly come for some major refurbishment. In addition, the staff – despite an air of friendliness – did their utmost to rush us through our arrival and later expedited the quickest service of both dinner and breakfast the following morning that I have ever experienced. This was not a place to rest, relax or enjoy. In a magnificent country that prides itself with the some of the highest quality hospitality, I couldn't have been more disappointed. To be avoided.

It is a traditional ryokan nestled in the mountains of Kyoto in the middle of a beautiful landscape. The Hotel system includes dinner and breakfast, they have a pick-up service from the train stations and as soon as one arrives there is personalized attention, they inform what the Hotel services are and offer the use of the bathrooms, which can be public, for men and women, separately, or in private outdoor pools. We chose that option and it was a nice experience although the water is too warm for our taste, but it was a pleasure to enjoy the bath looking at the mountains at night. We enjoyed a very particular dinner, very well served and abundant, with different dishes. All very rich. We slept in very comfortable tatamis and in the morning we tried a breakfast also very special, very well served again and very interesting. We spent only one night and it was fine, maybe it's up to two nights, no more, than that because there's not so much to do around.

Head to a long-established inn in Kyoto for autumn colors. It's a pity that the autumn colors are falling behind usual due to the extreme heat, and even at this time of year they were still a little early. Visitors can also walk to the famous temples of Jingo-ji Temple (portrait of MINAMOTO no Yoritomo) and Kozan-ji Temple (caricature of animals and birds) (however, the originals are in the National Museum) and there is a river bed in summer, so Momiji and annexes which could not be booked this time are very tasteful. The food is satisfying in quality. Unfortunately, the bath is small compared to the building's capacity. (I'm barely there for four people.) It's a pity that I can't relax as the view from the bath is so spectacular in autumn.