Momijiya Annex

An unforgettable traditional Ryokan experience. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The ryokan was quaint and clean. A shuttle bus picked me up at Hanazono station and brought me to the ryokan and then brought me back the next morning. Dinner is served in the room and breakfast is served the next morning. The public bath was excellent and I had the whole thing to myself. I can’t recommend this property enough.

Momijiya felt like home. It was unique and charming, beautiful and comfortable in an enchanting yet humble old-school way. The food was delicious and abundant, and they prepared vegetarian meals for me without question (which is very rare in Japan). The room was comfortable and had everything I needed. The open-air bath in HOTOTOGISU was a lovely warm embrace on a chilly evening. The bridge to cross onto the property was a perfect welcome entrance. Before the bridge, just a short stroll up the hill was the most beautiful and peaceful hiking trail along the river. Below the bridge, just a short stroll down the hill was an amazing Zen temple. But the best part of Momijiya itself, for me, was my nakai-san. I was traveling solo, and everything was very new to me because this was my first real ryokan experience. My nakai-san helped me feel more comfortable with her kindness. She explained my meals at dinner time. She greeted me on arrival and showed me where everything was and how to use it. She prepared my comfortable bed for me in the evenings. And she was even there to help me when I forgot my towel on the way to the public bath. I never had to ask for anything. Somehow, she just knew. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful person to make me feel at home. She was like an auntie, and I am grateful to her for making my stay special and memorable. I could lose myself here. The forest location itself is so breathtaking. I felt so relaxed and taken care of at Momijiya Bekkan. It was a magnificent ending to my solo trip to beloved Japan. I will be back.

The plus point of this ryokan : 1. The environment is superb , very calm and serene , you can walk around the ryokan , it’s surrounded by bridges , rivers 2. The service is very good , they explain every details to you 3. There is a shuttle to bring you from and back to the train station to the ryokan at designated time 4. Small private outdoor bath tub just outside your room The cons : 1. Rooms are a bit dated 2. Room is small , after putting the mattress , no place to walk

Momijiya Bekkan (not to be confused with Momijiya Annex) was a lovely traditional Ryokan experience. As westerners this was very different to the modern hotel but made a but easier with wifi, power points and many amenities. We chose this place as the private room was tattoo friendly (but we couldn't use the public baths) and the outdoor bath was really nice and peaceful. Note!!: the advertisement shows a Maiko and a tea ceremony after dinner! This is not the case, it only occurs on Fri-Sun during summer (July-sept). I did not know this and was the main reason why I booked this ryokan, so just be aware that outside of these times, the included experience is just dinner and breakfast only. The food was adventurous but good to try! The beds were futons and what you would expect sleeping on the floor, but the room was quiet, silent even, and it was peaceful in the mountains. There's shrines to explore nearby, and check in was 1500, not 1800 like other websites listed. All in all, good experience, bit expensive when the Maiko/tea ceremony isn't included but a nice stay in the mountains.

If you want to know what it feels like to be transported to a place that feels like a Miyazaki film I absolutely implore you to book your stay in June. You will see the lighting bugs dance at the riverbank while eating the most delicious Wagyu meal ever. June is the rainy season but the rain only immerses you more into this stunning environment with some truly beautiful shrines in walking distance. The staff is so kind and accommodating, with fantastic service. We can not wait to come back, we only wish we had booked more than one night, two is ideal.

The hotel is quite wearing and old, but the service and the food are good.