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Hotel Of The Month

Yoshikawa Inn

Tominokoji Oike-Sagaru, Nakagyo-Ku
Kyoto 604 Japan

Tel: 075 221 5544

http://www.kyoto-yoshikawa.co.jp/

Prices from £200 per p.p.n inc Breakfast

More and more visitors to Japan are discovering the wonderful experiences of staying at a real Japanese ryokan (Japanese inn), and indeed remembering their stay as one of the highlights of their trip to Japan. We certainly remembered it. Ryokan's are a destination in their own right. The Yoskikawa Inn is no exception. A wonderful discreet entrance with a wooden sign, marking the way in is the first sight of Yoshikawa. Inside the pathway is typically concrete with a wonderful water feature, which makes it welcoming in the traditional Japanese way.

The geisha-like ladies welcome you with a smile; little or no English is spoken here so you will need your phrase book. It makes the experience all the more authentic. Usually, you will receive a welcome drink of Green Tea before being ushered into your tatami (straw-mat) bedroom. By this point you will have tried on at least 3 pairs of slippers, one for the inside communal areas, one pair for the outside garden and one pair of socks with slit toes for your bedroom.

The bedrooms (you may have a choice of garden view on the upper or lower floors) are wall-to-wall tatami with sliding paper doors and a low-seating area. The rooms all have private bathrooms (a rare commodity with ryokan's) with an 'onsen' type bath made out of natural wood, and are completed with lovely bath products. The futon-style beds are hidden away, and are made-up for you on your return from dinner, together with a crisp Kimono style dressing gown and a fresh Green tea. The simple and elegant designs and decorations are truly works of art.

The Yoshikawa Inn, also offers (reputedly and deservedly so) the best 'tempura' in Kyoto. It has a separate 'Tempura Inn' where diners regularly visit from the outside. The service is impeccable and the Tempura is second to none.