We stayed at a ryokan in Kyoto for two nights; a ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. There are many different ryokans in Kyoto and Hakone but rarely found near larger cities like Tokyo. We chose a mid-range ryokan that offered a kaiseki dinner because it was one of the experiences we wanted to have.
Kaiseki ryori is traditional Japanese multi-course haute cuisine. Its origins are found many centuries ago in the simple meals served at the tea ceremony, but later it evolved into an elaborate dining style popular among aristocratic circles. Today, kaiseki is served in specialized restaurants or can be enjoyed by staying at a ryokan (Japanese style inn). Credits: Japan Guide
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| Where we stayed in Kyoto! Credits: Eddie |
I guess I'll just go in chronological order of events starting from when we were deciding where we were going to stay!
Choosing the place
We actually found Nishiyama Ryokan on Rakuten! And we booked it through email within the next day to ask for Kaiseki dinner for 1 night and 1 breakfast. Since Zhiling had friends who were proficient in Japanese and we figured they wouldn't understand it if we said it in English. We sorta already knew that Kaiseki was not cheap and would be calculated separately and were right!
They had a huge room that could accommodate all 7 of us and the bill was about 161 000JPY for all 7 of us (23 000JPY per person), the Kaiseki dinner was 8000JPY per person. So we spent 31 000JPY staying at the Ryokan for two nights!
31 000 JPY is about SGD$350 for two nights!
Arriving at Nishiyama Ryokan
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| At the check-in counter, Credits: KY |
I was slightly nervous about this because it was the first time we were checking-in physically with someone, our past two Airbnb apartments had us self check-in with passwords and keys. I had to understand some Japanese English which I don't, I only speak Konglish. Hahaha!
Zhiling was helping me with it, because she was the one who booked it. This kind sir serving us here did speak some English so it wasn't that bad after all, but I could tell that he was a bit flustered. Thankfully, no hiccups during our stay so it was great!
Process includes: photocopying passports, checking the meal arrangements, and payment upon check-in. We paid in cash, since we booked through email.
Typically, ryokans have small capacity and are very popular with tourists, if you want to stay in one, I strongly suggest you book them once you know your dates!
If you're interested in Nishiyama Ryokan, you can find them on the map, here and here! I'll link their webpage down below with other details so don't worry!
Our room(s)!
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| Ryokan staff explaining some things to us! Credits: KY |
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| In Ryokans, people sleep on Futons on the Tatami floor! Credits: KY |
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| 6 Futons in the room, another one by the sliding door! Credits: Eddie |
That's basically all of the space we had. A little sitting room and this futon space which we soon took over with all our luggages.
We went out to Arashiyama and Tenryu-ji Temple on our first day and headed back before dinner time for a soak in the Public Bath! Obviously no pictures allowed, but suffice it to say that it was very comfortable. Who wants normal showers anymore after that?
Public Bath Etiquette
Don't get a culture shock, you are expected to shower naked on a stool, all the toiletries except facial wash are provided. So if you want to try out a public bath, here's what you should do:
- Grab your clean clothes / yukata, plastic bag, hairbrush, facial wash, or what you think you'll need during the shower, wear a pair of hotel/ryokan slippers!
- Head to the public bath level, check the gender tag! Might be obscure, and always better to be safe than sorry.
- Take off the slippers and choose a basket/locker. You have to undress before you enter the wet area
- Deposit your dirty clothes in your basket and grab your facial wash and a clean hand towel usually provided near the dry area
- Enter and enjoy! Usually spa toiletries are provided, they're good stuff. Choose a seat and shower while seated on the stool. Wash yourself very thoroughly before you enter the tub please!
- Don't soak too long in the hot spring tub, approximately 10-20 minutes would be sufficient, walk out and grab a clean towel to wipe your body dry
- Help yourself to the toiletries like hair tie, lotion but be considerate and take only what you need. Hairdryers are provided too!
- Dress in your yukata!
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| Credits: Eddie |
Kaiseki Dinner
Must have been the highlight of our stay. Won't bore you with words! Pictures with timestamps belong to me, without, they belong to Eddie! I was too engrossed with my food once I started eating, hehe.
Usually, ingredients are sourced locally and a lot of effort goes into plating. Garnishes are mostly edible flowers and leaves. There were very intriguing tastes, textures and there were times during the long meal when I felt like I didn't like or dare to eat something. Other than stuff I knew I hated like leeks or parsley, I did give everything on my plate a go and I'm glad I did.
If you're a picky eater, you might have a tougher time. We swapped out shellfish for squid for Eddie who doesn't like any crustaceans, but of course, we mentioned this during our check-in.
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| Happy after our sumptuous meal! |
Daily Breakfast!
We wanted to try out someplace nearby so I asked for just 1 breakfast, but we later found out it was included in the room price and they did prepare it, so we had two breakfasts at the ryokan! Very very happy tummies. You get to choose between Western-style or Japanese-style, please choose Japanese!!!
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| The pictures above belong to KY and Eddie! |
As you can see, there was a very sexy piece of fatty salmon, mini salad, seaweed and tamago-yaki. I don't understand how simple food can taste so good, special mention to the very salty but high quality seaweed, and tamago. Eggy and sweet, heavenly! There were a few cooked courses, a soup and you could ask for rice, but I didn't! We had the above for our first Breakfast on day 2!
We had this for our second breakfast on day 3, which was also the day that we were going to leave the Ryokan.
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| After each breakfast you get to ask for coffee or tea! |
Tea Ceremony
A traditional tea ceremony is performed for each guest in the morning from 9.15am - 11.00am, matcha is served by one of the ryokan staff.
The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, Sado or simply Ocha in Japanese. It is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called Matcha, together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance with the bitter taste of the tea. Preparing tea in this ceremony means pouring all one's attention into the predefined movements. The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of tea from one's heart. The host of the ceremony always considers the guests with every movement and gesture.
Credits: Japanese Tea Ceremony (dot) net
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| Credits: KY |
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| Cinnamon Azuki Mochi |
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| Finished product of matcha! |
Hmmm, that's all I have about Nishiyama Ryokan! We had a wonderful time staying there and we kept going to the public bath because it was very relaxing. :D As usual, put any questions you have down below as a comment!
Details
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Japanese Address: Japan, 〒604-0933 京都府京都市 中京区御幸町二条下ル山本町433
English Address: 433 Gokomachi St, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0933, Kyoto Prefecture
Nearest Station: Kyoto Shiyakusho-Mae (Kyoto City Hall Station), Exit 10, you should see a lane into a residential area on your immediate right, walk right in. Stop when you come abreast of Nishiyama Ryokan which would be on the left side.
Note: The ryokan does have washing machines that can dry your clothes too! Up the staircase beyond level 5! We used it on our first night. :D
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| Walk through Zest Oike, an underground mall to get to Exit 10. |
xx wj
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