Kotonoyado Musashino

“An amazing place to stay. Book it if you can!”

First, let me start with the staff. When you arrive, they open the door and greet you by name. When you leave, they stop the traffic for your taxi and escort you all the way outside. The middle is also filled with wonderful service. One of the highlights was the tea ceremony. It’s essentially a pri… more

First, let me start with the staff. When you arrive, they open the door and greet you by name. When you leave, they stop the traffic for your taxi and escort you all the way outside. The middle is also filled with wonderful service. One of the highlights was the tea ceremony. It’s essentially a private tea ceremony that is thrown in just for the guest if you request it. The skill, spirit, and cultural depth of every detail that was presented was amazing. We actually had paid for a tea ceremony by geisha the next day. I found , however, that the tea ceremony provided at this inn was far better, more personal, and exacting in the details. We also paid for the dinner. This was a five star dinner with at least 15 courses. It was over the top spectacular and probably the highlight of our whole trip. Initially, I thought there was only one or two courses, and I was full. by the fourth I was stuffed and everything kept on coming. The dinner was brought in by two ladies nicely dressed into our private room. Each with wonderful presentation. One night we had Shabo Shabo, another spectacular beef included. Of course, fish dishes, tempura, miso, soup, dessert, Pickled vegetables, etc.

less

“1st time Ryoken experience - this is the place to go”

We've just come back from a wonderful holiday in Japan and had our first ryoken experience with Kotonoydo Musashino. Their website really helps you select the apartment that's most appropriate for you. We had selected the Yamabuki room. This is actually a little house that is set a little apart fro… more

We've just come back from a wonderful holiday in Japan and had our first ryoken experience with Kotonoydo Musashino. Their website really helps you select the apartment that's most appropriate for you. We had selected the Yamabuki room. This is actually a little house that is set a little apart from the main building but this means that you've got great privacy and quiet. As part of the booking, you can select a dinner plan - definately the highlight for us! More on this later. If you have any dietary requirement, let them know. They can certainly accomodate you. On arrival, ladies are offered a choice of yukata. Men - you have yukata in the room. You will be asked if you would like to have breakfast served in your room or (and I would recommend this) if you'd like to have breakfast in the park opposite the Ryoken. You're shown the facilities and of course, the Onsen, before being shown to your room. This ryoken only had one shared bath type (seperate for males and females) but some rooms have their own private baths too - so select the room type that you're looking for. You are staying in Ryoken, you are not staying in a high-end Western hotel - and that's WHY you're choosing a Ryoken like this. Its all about the experience. You'll be served proper Matcha tea on arrival in your room before getting into your yukata. Make use of the Onsen (pay attention to bathing etiquette!). And then comes the meal. Your room attendant will come and serve your kaiseki meal, course by course - savour and enjoy! Our attendant (Miya-san) did a great job and together we muddled through my rudimentary Japanese and her English. After dinner, go back to the Onsen and relax while your room attendant changes the room for sleeping, laying out the beds and sheets for you. Now - is sleeping on a tatami mat the most comfortable experience? No - but it is an experience! In the morning, head back to the Onsen for a great 'wake-up' before going to reception to collect your breakfast bento box and head over to the park. We had the entire park to ourselves, except for a few deer, with a wonderful view down into Nara. We only stayed one night but you could certainly use this Ryoken as a base if your spending more time to explore Nara. Great hospitality and great memories! Highly recommended.

less

“Best Kaiseki chef meals. Best hotel experience in Japan. Amazing Ryokan and Onsen experience. Picnic and Nara Park. ”

Best hotel experience in Japan. Amazing Ryokan and Onsen experience. Picnic and Nara Park. Excellent attention and service - runs like a japanese household and the staff are immediately very attentive. It is olden style so sleep on tatami beds but they were comfortable. The kaiseki breakfast and di… more

Best hotel experience in Japan. Amazing Ryokan and Onsen experience. Picnic and Nara Park. Excellent attention and service - runs like a japanese household and the staff are immediately very attentive. It is olden style so sleep on tatami beds but they were comfortable. The kaiseki breakfast and dinner was top notch. Very quiet location in Nara Park - amazing.

less

“The best stay of my life”

this ryokan is absolutely breathtaking. It is located in the middle of the Nara park surrounded by the deer, and in an environment where everything is calm quiet and green. I stayed in a room that was Japanese style. The futons were very comfortable. The room was pristine. everything was spotless c… more

this ryokan is absolutely breathtaking. It is located in the middle of the Nara park surrounded by the deer, and in an environment where everything is calm quiet and green. I stayed in a room that was Japanese style. The futons were very comfortable. The room was pristine. everything was spotless clean. the service from the staff is as good as it gets, everybody was so friendly and so concerned for my well-being during my stay. they offer a complementary dinner which is amazing. It’s a seven course meal with different japanese delicacies and they also offer a Japanese style breakfast which absolutely delicious and a view to Japanese-Nara cuisine. I’d rate it a million stars if possible. This is the best I have been treated in a hotel and the rooms and overall premises are breathtaking japanese beauty.

less