Secret Japan

[aggedor2]

We are travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto via Izu in July. We are planning to stay at an onsen ryokan in Izu - at this stage we think this will be Shirakabe-so, though we have also contemplated Osawa Onsen Hotel and Fujiyoshi.

We are also contemplating staying at Kikokuso in Kyoto.

I'd like to know whether we can expect much of a difference in the overall experience when we go to Kikokuso. This ryokan seems to get rave reviews, but I'm wary of the fact that the reviews may be from tourists for whom this is their one and only ryokan experience in Japan. Are we likely to be disappointed after the Izu onsen ryokans?

I'd also be interested in any feedback on the places we are looking at in Izu - has anyone stayed at these recently, or do you have any recommendations for anything better, but still around 20,000 yen?

Thanks in advance!

Tim

[sanji]

I think it is pretty difficult to compare ryokan in Kyoto and Izu.

In Kyoto, you probably can expect some of the best food, best service in a very historical place.

On the other hand, ryokan in Izu can provide some of the best onsen experience in the country.

So you can guess that the type of stay will be very different, whether you prefer to stay in a rather large city or in the countryside. Whether you intend to enjoy a traditional dinner or soak in an onsen at night...

Personally, I prefer to stay in an (expensive) ryokan in a rather isolated place: if I go to Kyoto, I prefer to enjoy a maximum time outside visiting temples. On the other hand, enjoying a long and early dinner in a remote place is perfect... especially if I can soak at night in a nice rotenburo.

Someone on this forum visit Fujiyoshi recently, and loved it! Another amazing ryokan, in my opinion, is Honke Bankyu in Yunishigawa. A little far from Izu, though...

sanji