"On our recent trip to Japan we wanted an authentic experience staying in a ryokan.
We were greeted by an extremely attentive staff who whisked our luggage away to our mountain view room. We received hotel slippers and were given a tour of the hotel. Our modest room had a low table and chairs with a tea service, a private bathroom, tatami mat floor and yukata robes. We had 3 hours until dinner so we enjoyed the private onsen nestled in the forest overlooking the forest. For ¥4000 ($27) this is not to miss. Then, at 6:00 a shuttle takes you through the small town and down to the riverside to a restaurant on the water. You cross a long bridge into the restaurant where you are greeted by the efficient staff and seated in low chairs to enjoy haute cuisine by riverside. The meal is presented in a bento box and is a work of art. The second course is a salty fish and then a soup prepared at the table. While the soup is cooking, a geisha performs and chats with you. Finally, the restaurant turns out the lights so you can listen to the frogs and watch fireflies! The shuttle returns you to the hotel and the staff has prepared the room for bed. The futon are all on the ground and it’s bedtime. The next morning, you are treated to an equally beautiful traditional savory Japanese breakfast. The shuttle will take you as far as the Honazono Station. If arriving from Kyoto, the shuttle will pick you up from there if you arrange it, or you can use the GO app to call a cab to go."
