Ise Todaya Ryoan

“Very nice, Japanese traditional hotel”

If you look for a commercial, Sheraton-like hotel here then this is not your place. This hotel, or rather - inn - , is a very cozy and pleasant Japanese inn. It is a family business with 8 generations of experience as the owner explained to me. The structure of the inn is very traditional, you have… more

If you look for a commercial, Sheraton-like hotel here then this is not your place. This hotel, or rather - inn - , is a very cozy and pleasant Japanese inn. It is a family business with 8 generations of experience as the owner explained to me. The structure of the inn is very traditional, you have to leave your shoes at the entrance, everything is very clean and the decorations are very beautiful and traditional. The food was excellent, served with utmost care and hospitality.I conversed with the owners (husband and wife) in Japanese and they are very happy to have guests from various countries, which is an added bonus given that Ise is a somewhat isolated area and still very traditional. They were indeed very hospitable. For example, me and my fiancee waited for a long time for a taxi at the train station and it was getting late, so I called the inn to tell them the situation. The owner himself came to pick us up in no time. As I said the food was just great, at least for me, having spent a long time in Japan before. But a little warning, if you are a guy and you go with your girlfriend or wife - they serve the amazing Ise lobster alive (as they do in Mie prefecture) and the poor creature is still moving, barely, its antenae, on the plate. Make sure you don't let your girlfriend notice:)! Other than that the raw lobster is delicious with soy sauce. I was joking with the owner about this in Japanese, him asking me if my fiancee noticed (she did not understand Japanese), and I telling him that no, best if she doesn't notice. A few weeks later I told her about this scene and she admitted she would have freaked out had she known. But since she didn't, she really loved the taste of the lobster.

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“Great place to stay”

To me Ise with it's shrines was a very authentic experience and spending the night at this traditional ryokan just added to it. Room was very comfortable. we got one with private bathroom. Even the futons were very comfortable (not the case in all places). The service was outstanding and the food -… more

To me Ise with it's shrines was a very authentic experience and spending the night at this traditional ryokan just added to it. Room was very comfortable. we got one with private bathroom. Even the futons were very comfortable (not the case in all places). The service was outstanding and the food - out of this world. I would love to visit again.

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“Perfect”

This place is beautiful. A fantastic room with a very very comfortable futon (they aren't always!). Incredibly friendly staff. The hot bath is just what you need after hiking around the shrines. And the food is awesome, particularly the teppanyaki. I had the place to myself it seemed and this is t… more

This place is beautiful. A fantastic room with a very very comfortable futon (they aren't always!). Incredibly friendly staff. The hot bath is just what you need after hiking around the shrines. And the food is awesome, particularly the teppanyaki. I had the place to myself it seemed and this is the best ryokan experience I've had. Even with luggage it is walkable from the station. Geku shrine is only a 10 minute walk away. There is plenty to do in the area to make staying 2 nights well worthwhile. Heaven. Can't recommend enough.

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