Hotel berhampiran JR Kitauchi station, Gojo

I cannot believe I didn’t make a review for this amazing ryokan!!!! Short and sweet version: my family is from USA and my now husband’s family is from Osaka. We decided to get married in Japan last Autumn 2019 and since this was the first time our extended family would be meeting each other, why not be relaxed and have a cultural experience at a historic ryokan together?? When we checked it out in Summer 2019 I just knew this was the place within 5 minutes of being there! This ryokan is so special; built in early 1900s by famous architect who also designed Tokyo Station. The food was fantastic (not toooooo exotic haha) and the Annex building where we (just me and husband) stayed + held our wedding ceremony and reception was perfect for 20 person group. My family enjoyed their rooms within the main building too. There is also an English gent named Gary who is the most delightful and helpful guy! The only open air onsen is within the Annex building so if it is occupied you cannot use - only can use the inside ones. Omg the bathroom in the Annex building is heavenly I must say! A lot of the rooms inside can be partitioned which was great for snoring people or kids to have own privacy area. A local train is within walking distance. Highly recommend going to Mt Koya too if you stay here. Cannot wait to come back here. Will probably splurge on the Annex room again even if it’s just 2 of us. Interested to stay in summertime to use their outdoor swimming pool and try their summertime menu! Note: we used a local business for our wedding event planning and Nanten-en was merely the venue + catering. If you have questions feel free to drop me a line though!!!!

翌日吉野山に早朝から用事がある為このホテルに宿泊。ロビーは9階にあり、客室は5-9階とちょっと変則な構成。部屋はとても綺麗で清潔である。客室の窓は大きなハメ*しで周りに高いビルがない為眺望がとても良い。10階のお風呂にも同じことが言える。東側の眺めが最高である。雨天の時に露天風呂には屋根がない為入りにくいか？ 朝食は種類がとても豊富。西側に大きなハメ*しの窓があり良い眺めを食べながら食事ができる。精算がない場合はフロントによる必要はない。奈良県南部旅行にはとても使い勝手が良いホテルである。 周辺に居酒屋は沢山あるが夜開いているスーパーはないので注意。

When planning my trip to Japan, I went out of my way to go to Ekoin Temple. I were going to Tokyo and Kyoto and I thought this would be a wonderful way to end the vacation and that it would be the highlight of our trip. I thought that it would be a very unique, off the beaten path, ”authentic” experience. Pro(s) - (1) The room was beautiful. No question about it. The room was large, and comfortable. We booked what I believe was the most expensive room because I was not sure what to expect in a ”monastery” and I thought that this would be the safest option. Comment - (1) - We pre-ordered the ”best” meal. There was a lot of food. We just didn't like it. I can't blame Ekoin, it may have been good - but there wasn't much that we liked. For two people, you are served in your room. At first I thought that they just didn't have extra space (after all, this is a monastery not a hotel). I now believe it is because there are a lot of people, and it would ”detract” from the religious/calm atmosphere that you would expect in a monastery. Con(s) - (1) Outrageously expensive for what you get. It doesn't seem that you are invited to witness the daily rituals of the monastery / monks. It is more like 40+ people squeezed around a small area where two monks chant and light a fire. Not to say that it wasn't unusual, but this was more of a ”show”. As it just so happens, I (unexpectedly) saw a fire ritual in Tokyo, in an operating temple. Only a few people, some were there to pray. That was probably the highlight of my trip to Japan. Again, not to say that Ekoin was ”bad”, it was just not worth the money or effort to get there. (2) Night cemetery tour - again, it was fine. Nothing was ”wrong” - but we walked through the cemetery for about an hour. It was OK - but again, not worth the money. In conclusion, this is certainly ok (but not a highlight). Very expensive for what you get. Maybe if you are in Koyasan and hiking or doing something else, this might make more sense. There is only one bus going back and forth to Kyoto/Osaka so timing may be an issue especially if you have a flight to catch. We didn't realize it when we booked this, but the cost was an additional $350 (USD) to take a taxi back to Osaka. Keep the logistics and total cost in mind and then decide if Ekoin will be a good option for you.

時間限定ではありますが、温泉上がりのビールとアイスクリームのサービスは非常に嬉しかったです。朝食バイキングは8時頃行ったらタイミング悪く品切れの物もありましたが、天ぷらを目の前で揚げてくれたので、揚げたてが頂けて美味しかったです。

1階で開催される18:00-20:00のカレー一杯無料サービスが非常にありがたい。それと外で買ったあと一品あれば夕食は事足りてしまう。500円出すと朝食バイキングがつくが、種類も豊富で大満足。館内着やお茶などアメニティを部屋に用意するのではなく、1階から各自持っていくようになっているのも効率的だと思う。また行きたい。

毎年 避暑に行かせてもらっています。気温は昼でも28℃程度で昼も夜も涼しくて快適です。子供は川遊び（ホテルの横がすぐ川で，浅くて安全に遊べます）で楽しみ大人は涼しい気温を楽しみました。食べ物はアマゴ料理がおいしく，アマゴのあらい・唐揚げ・塩焼きがおすすめです（夜ご飯の時に別途注文することが可能です）。涼しいおかげでよく眠れて日頃の疲れも取れました。宿の人は親切で川遊び・花火にいろいろと便宜を図ってくれました。おかげさまで今年も楽しい夏休みがすごせました。ありがとうございました。

部屋は広くて清潔。サービスよく、アメニティ豊富。温泉の大浴場もあります。駅から徒歩一分。明日香村の観光にも便利。橿原考古学研究所までは徒歩10分くらい。橿原神宮も徒歩圏内です。部屋には冷蔵庫あり。トイレにウォッシュレットがついています。部屋着タイプのパジャマも着心地よかったです。大型ホテルですが、何かと行き届いていて、快適でした。ホテル内のレストランは高級ですが、周辺に居酒屋やコンビニがありますので、安くしたい場合は外に出るとよいです。また使いたいホテルでした。

Nice out of town location on a side of a hill. Very spacious rooms and everything looks new. The breakfast is decent.

Berjalan sedikit dari susur keluar selatan Stesen Prince. Agak susah nak jumpa. Bilik-bilik bersih dan luas. Pemandangannya juga bagus. Selain meriah, terdapat restoran dan pasar raya. Disebabkan stesen dekat, keretapi berbunyi sampai lewat. Dengkur di bilik sebelah juga kedengaran. Anda boleh membawa sarapan pagi dan makan tengah hari ke dalam bilik anda sebagai langkah mencegah penyakit berjangkit Saya gembira untuk mempertimbangkannya.

직원분이 엄청 친절하시고 넘어져서 다쳤는데 밴드랑 소독약도 챙겨주시고 정말 감사했어요 방도 엄청 깔끔하고 시설이 좋았어요 주변에 뭐가 없는거 빼곤 다 좋았어요!