Japan

We booked a 1-night stay at the Momijiya Bekkan Kawa no Lori, a traditional Japanese Ryokan. I have read a lot about Ryokan’s and heard it is an absolute ‘must-do’ on any trip to Japan, so I knew to an extent what to expect but…. Wow! This place sure knew how to make a 1st impression.

Momiji-ya is a Japanese-style hotel which is more than 100 years old, located in the mountains (35 min drive from Kyoto Station) in the Takao area of Kyoto City. The name Takao is used to refer to both the mountain valley, local village and wider mountainous area. Our Ryokan / accommodation is only accessible by crossing a suspension bridge. We arrived in the early evening just as the sun was going down and the glittering lights over the river made the place feel so majestic.

We were shown to our room and provided jasmine tea along with some information about the Ryokan.

Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns where travelers can experience authentic Japanese culture. It begins on arrival when you trade in your shoes and clothes for slippers and a comfortable yukata robe. Relax over tea in our tatami mat room, soak in the onsen (hot springs), and enjoy seasonal kaiseki cuisine.

Some of the key differences between a ryokan and a hotel include:

Your minimalistic tatami-mat room
Trading in your shoes and street clothes for yukata (a Japanese-style robe) and slippers
Soaking in healing onsen (hot springs)
Your multi-course kaiseki dinner and beautiful Japanese breakfast
Traditional Japanese futon bedding (sometimes misleadingly referred to as “sleeping on the floor”)

We were amazed by this place. The whole experience was incredible, so relaxing and so beautiful. We had an hour before dinner so had time to soak in our private ‘open-air’ bath and dress in our yukata’s, which is the casual version of a kimono worn by Japanese people while lounging at home.

When staying at a ryokan, your main “tasks” are to soak in onsen, contemplate nature, drink green tea in your tatami-lined room, and partake of incredible, memorable meals.

Japanese cuisine is an integral part of the ryokan experience, and for us one of the highlights. Our ryokan stay included breakfast and a kaiseki dinner, both of which featured a beautifully presented and colourful array of local and seasonal specialties.