Ise Todaya Ryoan

“Best traditional Ryokan in the area”

I'm Japanese raised in the Mie prefecture (live in UK) and I took my kids and parents as a treat this summer on the Firework night. I made the reservation one month ago and the booking was smooth. Apparently we were the only guest that night surprisingly. Every year there's a fireworks near by (… Mais

I'm Japanese raised in the Mie prefecture (live in UK) and I took my kids and parents as a treat this summer on the Firework night. I made the reservation one month ago and the booking was smooth. Apparently we were the only guest that night surprisingly. Every year there's a fireworks near by (15 min walk to the site) and we didn't want to drive after the firework, and it was the best choice ever. The maitresse d'hotel welcomed us with professional warmth, we seemed to have got the best room without extra charge, (3 adults 2 kids - junior suite style room), All Hinoki Bath was very fragrant although it was too hot to have a bath. We had dinner in the different room facing the well kept garden, brought course by course, and it was quite good. Each dish prepared with care, with best ingredients from the region. But this is an inn selling with the good cooking, so I didn't expect nothing less. Breakfast is served in the restaurant part of the ryokan, which is complete Japanese style - perhaps too much for the foreigners, so you might want to contact when making the reservation. They respond quite well in email. Last but not least, the payment was smooth with British debit card, which is not always the case in Japan, especially in rural area. When in area, I urge you to visit both Geku and Naiku Ise shrine, the place is so special, very celestine atmosphere. The "Okage Yoko-cho" next to Naiku is also not to be missed. Have "Tekone Sushi" (marinated tuna over sushi rice) and "Akafuku Koori" (shredded ice with syrop, accompanied with Akafuku sweet mochi, and stroll around to shop in the conserved architecture area.

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“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… Mais

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 -… Mais

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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