We came here on the advice of a friend, and so glad we did - the hospitality, accommodations, meals, location - everything was outstanding. While the in-room meals are a nice offer, definitely opt for the half-board and have your meal at the bar, while watching the chef/owner masterfully create works of edible art in front of your eyes. We will certainly recommend Izuyasu to our friends!
We've never stayed at a Ryokan and this one was recommended by a friend. The highlight is the food. The chef is also the owner and you can feel the level of pride he has in making a great meal. Kaiseki style and everything was delicious. Breakfast was equally delicious if you enjoy a traditional Japanese (Kyoto style) breakfast. The inn is 180 years old and while we knew what we were getting into it was a little challenging. The walls are thin and it was cold! Rooms are bit small even though we upgraded to the "Shin" room. There's an 11pm curfew because you could hear guests coming in at night so this limitation is understandable. Overall a fun experience as long as your prepared for it.
My husband and I spend part of our honeymoon here and it was exceptional. Walking distance from Kyoto station, excellent restaurants, and the Kyoto market. The ryokan is included with a traditional Japanese breakfast each morning which was delicious! We recommend for a romantic get away.
My girlfriend and I spent our first night in Kyoto at Izuyasu. Neither of us have ever had the opportunity to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan, and I can say that all our expectations were met and exceeded. We felt warm and cared for from the minute we stepped out of the blustery Kyoto afternoon and through the sliding paper doors into the lobby. We were offered tea and a small sweet treat while we filled out arrival paperwork. A young man with very decent English gave us a tour of our accomodations, the dining area, and the private onsens (bath rooms). The ryokan has been in business since 1839 (?) and the place has a wonderful cozy feel with modern touches (decor, appliances). Other gestures in the amenities included our personal tea set in the room, with a Thermos of hot water. We were each provided with two sets of yukata, a comfortable cotton set for sleeping and bath, and a more formal set for wearing at meals. Speaking of meals, although we only paid for the cheapest accomodations at Izuyasu, breakfast was included. In the Japanese style, it was light with assorted vegetables, rice, miso, and egg, but very filling! All vegetarian. We snuck in a onsen soak before they were closed for the night at 11pm. The baths are shared with a few rooms on the same floor, but have a lock on the door so they can be enjoyed privately. Hot soak relaxed our weary muscles for sure! Overall we think a traditional ryokan stay is a must when visiting Japan, and Izuyasu is a gem among them. The owners take great pride in continuing to provide a warm traditional experience to travelers, and it shows. The price of accomodations at Izuyasu were a leap above the Airbnbs we rented the rest of our time in Japan, but I believe it was well worth it. PS. With regards to location: We came from Osaka, and Izuyasu was an easy 10 minute walk from the Keitan train line we took. The bustling shopping districts (Gion, Nishiki) were a pleasant 20 minute walk away. We were even able to leave our large luggage with the ryokan while we wandered Kyoto after checking out.…
Izuyasu was absolutely the highlight of our honeymoon in Japan. The hosts were incredibly welcoming and accommodating throughout our stay. The baths were a welcome calm after travelling from Hakata, and the room was comfortable and completely different from anywhere else we had stayed in Japan. What can I say about the Kaiseki dinner? By far the best meal we ate in Japan, and honestly this may have been the best meal of my life. It was so expertly crafted and created with love, care and expertise. I don't know if I'll ever experience food like that again, truly once in a lifetime. If you are a fan of design, the furniture and interior design is so beautiful, bespoke and crafted for the space. The courtyard is a lush little pocket and there are gorgeous green touches scattered through the building. I wanted to take photos of everything, it was all expertly curated. Highly recommended.…
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