Yarimikan Inn
Last post for the Japan trip! After going up the Shinhotaka Ropeway we checked into Yarimikan Ryokan, a lovely inn with a whopping 8 hot springs. Again we were faced with the massive task of trying each of them out, but alas, Japan had finally hot springed us out. I never thought it would happen but you cant argue with prune fingers and your skin drying out. We did manage to sample the public baths and a private tub overlooking the river, both were amazing as usual. The outdoor hot springs at Yarimikan are all arranged at the base of the building, right on the edge of a river. It is a big labyrinth of stone, garden, foot baths, huts & springs - gorgeous.
Dinner at Yarimikan was great - kaseiki, but the hida beef was notably better quality at Yumoto. As usual all the other japanese couples sitting and dining were amused at our attempts to figure out hot pot etiquette and how to eat some of the stranger dishes and would often help us out :)
Before checking out of Yarimikan, we were told to be at the front lobby at 9.30 for a presentation. We were supposed to be on our way by then to return our rental car but they were so persistent that we stay, we did and certainly didn't regret it - great fun! Wont spoil the surprise.
Our night at Yarimikan was the last of our trip out of Tokyo, we returned to Tokyo that night and flew back home the next morning, hopefully we will be back soon ;)
Hotel: Yarimikan Ryokan
Cost: 15,900 - 31,650Y per person including dinner & breakfast
Web: http://www.yarimikan.com/english/index.htm
enjoyed reeading your blog posts on travel to japan. how did you book yarimikan ryokan. im planning to visit oku-hida - was yarimikan worth the price ? how easy was it to drive in japan ? im planning to rent a car in takayama and drop in matsumoto but a little intimidated...
ReplyDeleteHi Parin, unfortunately I couldn't email Yarimikan to book in so I faxed through a request. Their fax number is 0578-89-2309 or phone number 0578-89-2808. You will have to add your international dialling codes but once I faxed through they responded the next day. Yarimikan was worth the price, a lovely traditional place - I thoroughly enjoyed myself! Driving in Japan is easy, especially in an area like Takayama - you can use gps, it is quite easy to navigate and the roads were not very busy.
ReplyDeletethanks for the info..will surely fax them...happy travels :-)
ReplyDelete