We picked this one from Guide Michelin, which hasn't been great on food in Japan, because of the description of the place, food and English speaking hostess. When we arrived Kiku, the proprietress, was away leading a Kayak tour and we were greeted by her gracious mother, Haruko. Our tatami room, with fridge, bath and toilet (not all have bath and toilet) was on the 3rd floors was on the third with an view of the sea and sitting area and Haruko's husband, who fishes for a hobby and provides some of the surprise fresh catch of the day, carried bags our up for us.
On the first night we ate out in a restaurant because we hadn't given advance notice for dinner (this is one of the minority of Ryokans where meals aren't obligatorily included) where we had a wonderful little langouste (spiny lobster), among others delices, and had a wonderful evening watching Japan beat Belgium in football while communciating with the cook and proprietors about the game and the food in sign... more