Kinosaki Onsen Mikiya

A couple of weeks have passed since my trip to Japan and I can definitely say that the most beautiful part was the two days spent in Kinosaki Onsen, where it is possible to live an experience that embraces the customs and traditions characteristic of Japan. In Kinosaki you generally stay in Ryokan; there are several and at variable prices in relation to the quality of the service. The Mikiya is one of the historic ryokans of the town and is located in a medium-high range. The ryokan is very large: there are various traditional rooms with private bathrooms; many of these overlook a beautiful Zen garden. Mine faced the street but the view was still splendid. At the entrance there is a large hall equipped with sofas and a small library, which overlook the garden. The structure also consists of a room where breakfast and dinner are served and three internal onsen: two public in which men and women alternate depending on the time and one private. At check-in you are provided with a yukata to wear not only inside the structure but also when walking through the streets of Kinosaki. The hotel also offers a pass with which you can access the 7 public onsen that characterize Kinosaki for free. My stay also included dinner which featured several courses of authentic Kaiseki cuisine. The dishes were presented impeccably and we were advised on the best way to enjoy the various dishes. The most exciting moment was the conversation we had with the owner of the structure, who accompanied us in a tale of times gone by, telling us the story of Kinosaki, the Mikiya and his family. We also had the opportunity to visit the room where Naoya Shiga, a famous Japanese writer of the 20th century, used to stay. I conclude the review with a few simple words: thank you for making me live a true traditional experience.

We stayed for one night on the recommendation of our credit card company. I was a little worried because it looks old and outdated, but it makes good use of the oldness, and once you step inside, it's a different world. It's well maintained, and I think there's a ryokan like this, and I want to find a ryokan with a long history. I dare say that the stairs are old-fashioned, so they are a little steep. Also, perhaps because of the coronavirus, I had made a reservation for a group of three young men. It was a pity that these people had to stay overnight.