Tokiwa Ryokan (Henro House)

Just off the trail so easy access and within walking distance of lots of good looking restaurants this place is easy to book and has a great welcome. We were able to check in early which was a bonus. It has everything you need, wifi, laundry, bath etc. it is more run down than other ryokans we have stayed in but the beds were comfortable and clean. The host speaks some English which is always a bonus for us as our Japanese is limited. The main areas are lovely with a fabulous koi pond and garden. If you want the basics then this place will serve you well. Also within walking distance of the castle which is really stunning with the cherry blossom in full bloom.

15/10/2019

Rooms:

The building is older and a little tired. The traditional Japanese rooms show their age a little. The rooms for Ohenro are a little dark as are the corridors, but the central pond area/stair well is open and light with a tiny, well kept garden. The bedding was clean and comfortable. The rooms each had their own key, which I found to be the exception, rather than the rule with ryokans. I don't remember anything about the communal bathroom so it must have been unremarkable. Neither good nor bad.

Food:

Not available.

I would definitely stay here again.

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The ryokan turned out quite nice and was really cheap. My futon on the floor was probably the softest and puffiest one I had slept on in the whole trip. We did not turn up until about 7pm. Which is very late for a traditional Japanese inn, typically they expect you to be there well before 6 pm. so that you can have your shower and be ready because they usually have a communal meal prepared for 6 pm. We had not arranged for a meal, because I think M. knew we would be late arriving anyway, so I had nothing to eat. Ryokans tend to lock the doors early in the evening as they don’t like their guests going out and staying out. I had to quickly have a shower and then run out to find some food. I still did have a single, one day old rice ball which I thought, if I could find a vending machine, a soft drink to go with and it would be okay to tide me over for the night. In the end I found a supermarket not too far away, and was able to buy a discount Bento box.

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Excellent. It's an older inn, with staircases that seem to go in random directions, full of atmosphere. It's near the famous Ten Night's Bridge, the subject of a poem by Kukai. Bekkaku #8, Toyogahashi, is at that bridge.

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