A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn featuring tatami-matted rooms. During our trip to Kyoto, we wanted to experience staying in a ryokan to experience the Japanese culture and hospitality. The ryokan that we selected was called Satoyumukashibanashi Yuzanso Ryokan, a hotel located in the Ogoto-Onsen area that is famous for its hot spring. It is about 20 minutes by train from Kyoto station.
The room was intended for a maximum of 2 adults and 3 children, but it was actually big enough to accommodate 7 people with 5 on Japanese-style futon beds and 2 on normal single beds.
Our hotel room had a private outdoor onsen bath overlooking Lake Biwa. It is great for guests who want to enjoy the traditional Japanese bath but are not keen on sharing it with other guests. An onsen bath is definitely a must-try when visiting Japan. We get to enjoy the cool breeze from the lake while soaking in the onsen, and unlike normal bath tubs, the water in the onsen bath stays wonderfully hot even after an hour!
Enjoying Halal Japanese cuisine
Yuzanso Ryokan is the only big Japanese style resort in Kyoto that serves authentic and halal-certified Japanese cuisine for its guests. We had a private dining room that was solely for our use during our stay.
On our first night, we were served a multi-course Kyo Kaiseiki dinner which was truly a feast fit for the king.
We had a healthy traditional Japanese breakfast at the same location the next day.
On our second night, the ryokan served us a Japanese crab feast. Each of us had our own huge snow crab and many other types of crab dishes.
If the meals were not enough, the hotel also had a halal menu for in-room dining.
For more details about the food, go to the website www.yuzanso.co.jp.
We booked the hotel through Hotels.com – Yuzanso Ryokan and chose the Executive Room (Sanyaso w/ Bath, Muslim Friendly Plan).
Related post
Must-try halal restaurants in Kyoto
Tips
You can reach the hotel from Kyoto station by taking the JR line to Ogoto-Onsen. Upon reaching the station, call the hotel to fetch you via a shuttle bus.
