Our first time, with a group, in a traditional Japanese Inn, and it couldn't have been better. We stayed two nights, and had a selection of traditional Japanese meals and breakfasts. The 'special' meal was outstanding. The service was first class, and the amenities very good. the bedrooms had both beds and futons (excellent) and a full range of facilities. bathrooms small but adequate. It's an experience we would like to repeat.
The first visit by wife and I to a ryokan, as part of a small group. Very welcoming with all the staff very attentive with excellent service. Helpful that the owner and his wife spent many years in England. Plenty of food at all meal times with some explanation as to what everything was - unfortunately couldn’t do the Japanese food justice!
The hot springs were great, with the ability to determine whether the family rooms were available via your television. The futons were very comfortable. In all, a wonderful different experience.
We stayed here for two nights and had a fantastic experience. Although it’s a bit far from the bus/train station, they provide a free shuttle bus to take you to and from town. Being up the mountain a little ways, the view of the mountain and valley were beautiful.
Another thing my wife liked was that they served both lunch and dinner. There were a two or three hour time frame where you could choose when to have your meals. The meals themselves were Japanese style with many different dishes throughout the courses. By the end of the meals, we were all full.
The rooms were clean and had all types of amenities: TV, wifi, toothbrush, razors, hair dryer, air conditioning/heater, toilet and sink, hot water dispenser, table and floor chairs, balcony with small table, safe box and wardrobe. The only thing missing from the room was a shower. This was fine with us because we spent a lot of time in the hot springs. There were no western style beds in the room. Instead, each night during dinner the housekeeping staff would come make up a floor bed, which was very comfortable for us.
The hot springs were calm and relaxing. They have two private/family hot spring rooms and separate public ones for men and women. Both types have indoor and outdoor baths with views of the mountains. The private baths are on a first come first serve basis, but the room tv shows you if the private baths are available. If not you can wait in the lounge area outside the private baths until they become available. Each of the areas has showering areas with soap, shampoo, lotion...
The staff was extremely helpful and polite throughout our stay. They were courteous and always asked if we needed anything to make our stay better. Also, they were very accommodating if we wanted to change times for meals or shuttle services.
If you ever get a chance to stay in Yufuin, I would suggest choosing Saigakukan. We will definitely be coming back here.
This is the perfect place for Westerners to experience a ryokan. First of all, the ryokan is situated on a hillside overlooking the valley and Mt. Yufu.
While the uninitiated can be at a loss of what to do and how to behave in a ryokan, the two charming "directors" speak good English and have lived several years on a work assignment in England. More than most, they understand Western habits and expectations.
Unlike most ryokans, several room come equipped with both Western beds as well as classic tatami mats. The hotel offered two different bathing pools - Onsen - (inside and outside overlooking the mountains) for men and women as well as a private pool for families or small groups. Very nice.
The staff is very anxious to please. The dining was very appealing to the eye though it is hard for me to judge how well it met Japanese standards.
It's a unique and very insightful experience -- I strongly recommend this ryokan to Western travelers.
The hotel is really very nice and staffs are very friendly. It is about 5-8 minutes drive from the Yufuin JR station and the hotel offers free shuttle bus for pick up at the station. The hotel faces Yufu Mountain and the view from the resturant is excellent. My room is a traditional Japanese style room with balcony facing the Yufu Mountain as well. It is very spacious and comfortable. The outdoor hot spring is relatively large and it is so relaxing to enjoy the spring water bath. There are also 2 private hot springs that you can use whenever it is available (no need to book). After enjoying the hot spring, you can take a rest at the conversation room . The dinner is served with Wagyu beef and chicken and is very tasty. It really gives me a memorable trip in Yufuin and I surely recommended my friends to stay at this hotel.
