Kanamean Nishitomiya Ryokan

“Captured My Heart”

Our first time in Japan (family of 4 adults), staying at this lovely Kanamean Nishitomiya ryokan was a big reason why Japan captured my heart. I didn't know what to expect -- and surely, there were lots of surprises, all of the wonderfully pleasant kinds! I loved the private gardens that were t... more

Our first time in Japan (family of 4 adults), staying at this lovely Kanamean Nishitomiya ryokan was a big reason why Japan captured my heart. I didn't know what to expect -- and surely, there were lots of surprises, all of the wonderfully pleasant kinds! I loved the private gardens that were tended just for your view, the whimsical figurines discreetly placed here and there, the food!, and more... The hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Nishida was unparalleled to anything we've ever quite experienced before -- their generosity, excellent taste, individual attention, and elegant manners inspired us and showed us what superior hospitality looks and feels like. It is no wonder they earned a Michelin star in service! I VERY, VERY STRONGLY recommend reserving to eat in-house their traditional Japanese breakfast AND kaiseki dinner! And we just loved coming and going from here as we explored Kyoto... soaking in the hot hinoki bath every night, sleeping on the floor (so comfortable!), padding about on the mat floors, and sipping some green tea while admiring the garden and craftsmanship of the Japanese structures and furniture in our room... all infused the senses of the Japanese culture and really made us feel present and a part of the country. By the way, as a first time visitor to Japan, I really enjoyed learning about Japanese crafts and wood joinery (at the Museum of Traditional Crafts), which made me appreciate so much more the space that we called home for 4 nights. Or perhaps it is the other way around -- because I stayed at this traditional inn, I was able to appreciate learning about Japanese crafts and joinery that much more! Thank you, Kaneman Nishitomiya!!!

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“Incredible Food and Hospitality”

We spent one night here and from start to finish the staff were so kind and welcoming. The room was cozy and just like the photos. The large tub was definitely a highlight, they even filled it for us when we arrived. The bed they made for us was comfortable though I do wonder if softer pillows... more

We spent one night here and from start to finish the staff were so kind and welcoming. The room was cozy and just like the photos. The large tub was definitely a highlight, they even filled it for us when we arrived. The bed they made for us was comfortable though I do wonder if softer pillows are an option (I did not ask). The meals we had took our stay to another level. Watching the chefs prepare dinner was amazing and since the restaurant only had few seats the service felt very special and personal. The staff did a good job explaining the dishes to us in English and suggesting drink pairings. It was one of the best meals I've ever had. The breakfast was also delicious. While there were other guests staying at the hotel we hardly noticed them because of how peaceful the room was and how attentive the staff were. I highly recommend the half board option at least for one night, it was well worth the price. The location of the hotel was also excellent for exploring and only a short walk from Nishiki Market.

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“Some highs, lots of lows”

The rating represents an average of the guest room (5 stars) and customer service (0 stars) experiences. Everything in life is relative, right? So keep in mind that we spent $700/night. The extremely expensive traditional Japanese guest rooms are exquisite, but 1) service in the exclusive resta... more

The rating represents an average of the guest room (5 stars) and customer service (0 stars) experiences. Everything in life is relative, right? So keep in mind that we spent $700/night. The extremely expensive traditional Japanese guest rooms are exquisite, but 1) service in the exclusive restaurants is prioritized over service to hotel guests, meaning that there is literally no guest assistance during dinner hours; 2) and when guest service is available, it is provided in very poor, broken English, which results in misunderstandings and frustration. We actually felt as though we had to avoid the personnel and struggle to find our own solutions, such was the frustration and concern about feeling too pushy or intrusive. Although it was by no means easy, it was easier to google our way out of problems or ask people on the street. There were several times when we had to enter the kitchen to find anyone available to help and others when we dialed 8 on the telephone and let it ring interminably. It worked once. No one is around early in the morning. The owner acts like he’s on speed, making bizarre 2 second appearances and, in the following example, can make really bad choices. We originally booked a room for 5 nights during Sakura season along with our friends. Our friends canceled their reservation, so the owner assumed that it was OK to cancel ours as well. When we told him that we did not cancel, he scolded us, saying it was Sakura season and that he was very busy and that I must reconfirm my reservation with a credit card (by email!). This also coincided with a tourist rush to Japan that occurred just after Japan was reopened for general tourism. This all transpired around Christmas, so since I was not as vigilant with my emails and was hesitant to send credit card information by unencrypted email, we lost our reservation again! When the dust settled, he could not accommodate us for as long as we originally intended to stay. We are now in Tokyo at the Okura hotel..and NOW I know what superlative Japanese-style customer service is all about.

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