Hounkan

“Tub with a view!”

We visited during the Autumn when the trees were changing colours - this is a quiet time for Yoshino but well worthwhile - the mix of leaf colours and ancient temples was fantastic. It was so quiet we were the only visitors when we visited some of the oldest and most attractive temples. Hounkan R… Más

We visited during the Autumn when the trees were changing colours - this is a quiet time for Yoshino but well worthwhile - the mix of leaf colours and ancient temples was fantastic. It was so quiet we were the only visitors when we visited some of the oldest and most attractive temples. Hounkan Ryokan is located on Yoshino mountain, about 20 minutes walk (uphill) from the Yoshino Ropeway. The ryokan is easy to find and has a small car park (opposite and a few meters down the hill). The inn itself is relatively modern but is traditionally run with limited flexibility around eating times. The staff speak limited English but are very courteous and helpful. The reception also provides a written English language guide to the key facilities and activities available at the ryokan. We booked a room with an outside tub (highly recommended) and half board (breakfast and dinner). Our room was large with a small indoor terrace with views over Mount Yoshino. The view was fantastic especially from the (small) outdoor bath tub and separate bathroom. The room décor and furnishings were simple and traditional with a low table and cushions (with a backrest) during the day, replaced with large futons at night. The small terrace area also had two western style chairs, small table and fridge). It was a great place to relax at the end of the day. There are very pleasant onsen hot baths (two bathing areas alternating between males and females each day). The hotel provides everything you need for the baths, including robes and towels. The baths have all the shampoos and soaps you need. The food was excellent, half board is recommended as there are very few restaurants in the area at night, and you can also order wine, beer and sake with your meal. The meals are fixed menu with no choices, but you really don’t need choice as there are lots of dishes and some form of “cook your own” course (e.g. chicken on a grill or sukiyaki). The traditional breakfast was large and varied (but always included some form of grilled fish). The dining room setup was western style with tables and chairs. The highlight of this Ryokan is the opportunity to have a private bath tub overlooking the Yoshino mountainside. The round wooden bath is effectively outside as it sits on an open terrace with no windows obscuring you view, getting you as closed to nature as possible. Highly recommended.

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“refugio tranquilo y cultural”

Muy cálidas y amables saludos desde el personal. Las habitaciones estaban limpias y ordenadas. Magníficas vistas desde el vestíbulo del hotel y en nuestras habitaciones. ¡Qué lástima que era demasiado tarde para ir a el onsen al aire libre tras acomodarnos. Será estupendo si nos hubiéramos quedado … Más

Muy cálidas y amables saludos desde el personal. Las habitaciones estaban limpias y ordenadas. Magníficas vistas desde el vestíbulo del hotel y en nuestras habitaciones. ¡Qué lástima que era demasiado tarde para ir a el onsen al aire libre tras acomodarnos. Será estupendo si nos hubiéramos quedado más tiempo.

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“Spectacular view”

The ryokan is located quite far from the ropeway. Carrying your luggage and walking uphill to reach the ryokan is not that pleasant experience. Finding a taxi during the cherry blossoms season is also not easy. However, their rooms truly offer a spectacular view!

“Very comfortable bedding, superb serene views from everywhere of the whole mountain side of blooming sakuras.”

Positives: Close to chikurin temple in naka senbon part of Mt Yoshino. Spectacular unobstructed view of the whole Naka Senbon (middle 1000 trees) part of Mt Yoshino... sakuras were just starting / in partial bloom when we were there last week of March. Staff were friendly and ver polite although… Más

Positives: Close to chikurin temple in naka senbon part of Mt Yoshino. Spectacular unobstructed view of the whole Naka Senbon (middle 1000 trees) part of Mt Yoshino... sakuras were just starting / in partial bloom when we were there last week of March. Staff were friendly and ver polite although they didn’t speak much English. The most beautiful part was their open air ’rotenburo’ onsen baths: they had a good shower area and indoor onsen tub, but also a few natural rock pools outdoors, which switches each day so you can try out both if you stay at least 1 night. The extra special treat was a few cherry blossom trees in full bloom literally overhung the rotenburo, with petals falling into the pool as I relaxed in the mild spring weather. Simply magical!! Also a super delicious Japanese breakfast was included in the room rate which I got on special on booking.com for ¥20,000 for 2 people - had grilled fish, tsukemono- pickled veggies, other side dishes etc. welcome tea and sweets served upon check in was a nice touch too. Negatives: - Walk up a steep slope/ flight of stairs from the last public shuttle bus stop (¥360 one way) that takes you from the Yoshino Station as no free shuttle service offered by hotel. Would’ve otherwise taken ~40 mins walk from/to Yoshino Station to hotel. - no wifi in room, only very slow wifi in common areas - not much options to eat dinner as most places close by 5pm but hotel at least told us to go to “Shizuka-tei” down the slope 5 mins away for affordable teishyoku (udon, rice etc), which was pretty good, instead it would’ve been ¥6,000 pp for dinner offered by this ryokan which we thought was a bit steep.

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