Kishigon Ryokan

“Hotel service and location are superb. Many choices of onsens in hotel”

We wanted to spend 2 nights at an onsen outside Tokyo and somewhere less touristy. Googled for a good location and found this charming onsen town that is recommended for its autumn colours. And boy we are not disappointed, in fact the town is more stunning than what I expected. With a mountainous … more

We wanted to spend 2 nights at an onsen outside Tokyo and somewhere less touristy. Googled for a good location and found this charming onsen town that is recommended for its autumn colours. And boy we are not disappointed, in fact the town is more stunning than what I expected. With a mountainous background, the town looks like one that can be found in postcards! Visit the red bridge just about 5mins walk from the top of the famous 365 stone steps... The bridge gets lit up from end Oct for the autumn season and we were so lucky come at right time as it’s so beautiful at night. As for this Ryokan. we enjoyed the good service rendered to us even though the staff speaks limited english but we felt very welcomed. We booked the private onsen for ¥1000+tax and didn’t know it was open air till we entered. it was so cold to shower! we had a good laugh! the hot onsen was a good experience. They do have another choice of ¥2500 private onsen with bigger rooms. the next night we chose to try the public indoor onsen instead. Food was terrific! We had so much to eat. the fruits and dessert was buffet style during dinner while we were served Japanese set dinner. As for breakfast it’s buffet style. lots of jap and western choices. Room was quite standard and not very new the Futon bed was a bit hard so we put double layers on 2nd night. Pls note you can call them to pick u up from from bus station once you arrive. They provide drop off service too. We highly recommend this Ryokan and this town. enjoy!! :)

less

“Relaxing!”

For the room, we took the western-style twin rooms, and they were spacious (it could have probably fit 4 beds and it would still have space to move around) and had a nice unobstructed view of the mountains. The room also had a shower, though I didn't get to use it since the ryokan had 3 different o… more

For the room, we took the western-style twin rooms, and they were spacious (it could have probably fit 4 beds and it would still have space to move around) and had a nice unobstructed view of the mountains. The room also had a shower, though I didn't get to use it since the ryokan had 3 different onsen facilities. My only small complaint was that the pillows could have been better. For the food, we didn't get the dinner course, since there was a restaurant a few steps from the ryokan that was open until 7pm where we had dinner instead. We did get the breakfast, and that was excellent! It was a breakfast buffet-style of both Japanese and Western dishes. There were so many choices and even an omelette station. And it was delicious. For the onsen facilities, I tried all 3. The public indoor bath 2F was nice and hot, but it was too dark and didn't have a view. The public outlook bath on the 6F had a view, but it was a bit small. The private "Hototogisu" bath on the 6F was the best one, and I think it's best to take a bath there in the afternoon right after checking-in and before it gets too dark. There was a time limit of 45mins though, but it was enough. Each bath also had a lot of choices for soaps, lotions, and skin care products.

less

“Good Choice but 5-Stars is a Stretch”

My wife and I found a weekday deal for 15,000 yen per person with dinner and breakfast included in a room 8-tatamis big facing the famous stone steps of Ikaho Onsen. Kishigon is nicely located towards the top of the steps, right to the side of the steps themselves. However, given the small footpr… more

My wife and I found a weekday deal for 15,000 yen per person with dinner and breakfast included in a room 8-tatamis big facing the famous stone steps of Ikaho Onsen. Kishigon is nicely located towards the top of the steps, right to the side of the steps themselves. However, given the small footprint of Ikaho town, there aren't too many places that are inconveniently located. At upper echelon ryokans, check-in is not done at a counter. Rather, guests are comfortably seated in the lobby and provided complimentary tea and small dessert while a staff member asks some basic questions and gives the necessary explanation of important info during our stay. The room is of the most common ryokan template and thus indistinguishable from the many other mid-range properties I have stayed at throughout Japan. Kishigon rooms have many floorplans so I assume luxury rooms are available at a proportional price premium. There were several baths on the property, so there is a sense of variety, but not all baths are equally pleasant. To me it was a no-brainer to spend most of my soaks in the open-air baths. Dinner consisted of several beautifully arranged set-dishes as well as unlimited salad and dessert. The breakfast buffet also offered a very wide selection of both western and Japanese choices. While both meals left me completely satisfied, it was because of the variety and volume of comfort food and not because it was a rare culinary experience via meticulous preparation of exotic ingredients. Established in 1575, there is much history with this ryokan. I believe that history is a big part of why it has the rare 5-star ryokan designation. Even though it must have been updated several times over the centuries, the hotel in its 2017 form feels due for its next significant update. Yet the nostalgia of having facilities such as karaoke rooms, ping pong, and onsite nightclub contributed to its current-day charm. For travelers who not only want to enjoy a nice onsen town but also time warp to a bygone era of onsen accomodations, Kishigon at the 15,000 yen per person pricepoint is an easy recommendation.

less

“Not value for money. Dated and expensive. Needs a refresh”

Sleep: Had a Japanese style room with futons laid out. Futons were thin, they felt like worn thin foam mattresses that sagged in the middle. Pillows are flat and offers no support. Yukata smelt like mushrooms but smell went away after airing for a while. Onsen: there are 3 onsens. One without any … more

Sleep: Had a Japanese style room with futons laid out. Futons were thin, they felt like worn thin foam mattresses that sagged in the middle. Pillows are flat and offers no support. Yukata smelt like mushrooms but smell went away after airing for a while. Onsen: there are 3 onsens. One without any windows and a small pool, one within the hotel block with both indoor and outdoor pools, and one outside the hotel, across the driveway with outdoor views. All are accessible to guests. There is also a private bath for rent. Food: Buffet breakfast was a good spread Overall: for the money I paid (22500 yen), i felt this was rather expensive. If i had stayed outside Idaho onsen itself, i might have been able to save more.

less