What Owning a Traditional Japanese Inn is Like 🇯🇵

@Abroad in Japan

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Go behind the scenes of Takinami Ryokan, a 400-year-old family-run inn in Yamagata that went from bankruptcy to an award-winning luxury destination, known for its hot springs, exquisite food, and personalized hospitality.

4 places · 1 experience

1
Takinami Ryokan
Japanese inn · Nanyō
4.5
Warm, contemporary quarters in a polished hot spring inn offering a restaurant/bar & a lounge.
Japan, 〒999-2211 Yamagata, Nanyō, Akayu, 3005 山形座瀧波 YAMAGATA THE TAKINAMI
- 400-year-old nail-free wooden structure — The main building of the ryokan is 400 years old and constructed without any nails, using an interlocking woodwork method typically seen in temples and shrines. It's impressive for a three-story building of this size.
- Bean bags in communal area — A surprisingly comfortable and 'not so traditional' addition to the communal areas, offering a relaxed spot to unwind. The creator calls it the 'best ryokan ever' for having them.
- Indoor hot spring bath (100% from source) — An indoor hot spring bath fed 100% directly from the source, with no added water or minerals. The water is said to be pure enough to drink and beneficial for ailments like gout, stress, and diabetes. Three staff members are dedicated to maintaining its purity.
- Open-air rotenburo bath (women's) — A spectacular open-air rotenburo bath, described as the largest bath in the ryokan, made from a single giant stone. It features beautiful discoloration from the hot spring minerals and a wonderful atmosphere. Unusually, this largest bath is designated for women.
- Soba noodle preparation by owner — Guests are welcomed with a pre-evening drink of local Yamagata sake and get to watch the owner, Minami-san, personally prepare soba noodles. He has prepared soba over 2,000 times, showcasing his hands-on approach.
- Massage during soba preparation — A unique 'little touch' where guests can receive a massage while watching the owner prepare soba noodles, combining relaxation with a culinary experience.
- Presidential Suite — The largest and most extravagant suite in the ryokan, spanning two bedrooms and featuring a massive private garden. It has hosted prestigious guests, including a former Japanese prime minister. The room offers a private view of the entire ryokan.
- Private outdoor bath in every room — Every one of the 22 rooms at Takinami Ryokan features its own private outdoor bath, a rare and uncommon luxury for ryokans in Japan. This feature was particularly beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic when guests preferred private bathing.
- Personalized hospitality (customer data) — The ryokan uses a detailed customer management system, tracking guests' names, birthdays, dietary requirements, and preferences (food, sake). This allows staff to personalize hospitality, leading to some guests returning up to three times a year.
- Kurosawa Farm rice — Japan's most expensive rice, grown just 10 minutes from Takinami Ryokan. It's loved by royalty, known for its sweeter flavor, thicker grains, and satisfying texture. The creator describes it as 'outstanding.'
- Choose-your-own steak knife — A small, luxurious touch where guests get to choose their steak knife based on their favorite color before their meal. The creator compares it to 'John Wick staying at the Continental.'
- Happy Wedding song — Instead of just singing 'Happy Birthday,' the staff at Takinami Ryokan sing 'Happy Wedding' to celebrating couples, adding a unique and memorable touch to their stay.
- Future private bath with moon-shaped door — Part of the new luxurious extension, this private bath features a unique moon-shaped door, a beautiful ceiling, and a reef opening to the night sky. It will include both a hot spring (45 degrees Celsius) and a cold spring (16 degrees Celsius).
2
Nanual Town Park
City park · Yamagata
3.0 (9)Open · until 10 PM
Urban park around a restored castle, with sports facilities, a kids' playground & a history museum.
Kajo Park, 1-7 Kajomachi, Yamagata, 990-0826, Japan
3
Boshiyama Shrine
Buddhist temple · Yamagata
4.5 (9,388)Closed · opens Monday 8 AM
Hundreds of steps form a mountain path to a centuries-old Buddhist temple with panoramic views.
Risshaku-ji Temple (Yamadera), 4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata, 999-3301, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Kayaking in the Sunken Forest
morning
Join Minami-san for his monthly kayak trip at silly o'clock in the morning to the otherworldly sunken forest. It's like sailing into a painting, with reflections of trees bouncing off the water, offering incredible calmness, stillness, and silence, broken only by birds. It's a deeply moving experience that feels like it adds years to your life through stress management. The creator describes it as 'jaw-dropping scenery' and 'totally worth it.'
4
Sunken Forest (Lake Shirakawa)
Tourist attraction · Iide
4.3 (504)Open · until 5 PM
Lake Shirakawa Submerged Forest, Kazuma, Iide, Nishiokitama District, Yamagata 999-0423, Japan