Probably the best hotel I have ever stayed in. When making the reservation they were slightly apologetic that it was their smallest room (they only have five or six) - but it was 60 square metres, with a huge tatami mat room, and adjoining double bedroom with huge and very comfortable twin beds. The service was outstanding - there are only five or six rooms and it seems one person to serve each room. The food at our dinner was truly out of this world - and helped by a menu translated into English so that one knew what each of the twenty dishes were. If you are going for a splurge, this is the place to do it. I thought that the lack of wifi was not quite right, but in the end it was appropriate not to be distracted and enjoy the calm space and comfort.

Want to be treated like royalty? This is the place. Our "person" took care of us. Our accommodation was a 4-room apartment in the hotel. Everything was lovely and immaculate. The food was good and elegantly presented. There was internet. Mostly, the people were grace personified. What a great way to begin our vacation. Though we did not require this type of luxury again, it sure was fun.

I've been visiting Japan for 25 years and have always enjoyed my time there. But our recent visit to the Ryokan Kurashiki was one of the most memorable stays I've had. We stopped in Kurashiki on our way back from Naoshima Island which was also fantastic. We hadn't been able to get much information before hand and so were a didn't really know what the Ryokan would be like or where exactly it was located. But when we got to the train station, the man at the information booth gave us a map in Japanese and it turned out to be right in the old quarter--on the canal-- and only a 10 minute cab ride from the station.

Checkin time is at 3pm so we strolled around the historica center and found a nearby place for lunch. We got back to the Ryokan at 4pm and were given a cup of tea in the pretty lounge overlooking the Japanese garden. We were then shown to our rooms. These turned out to be suites, with a Western study, large and comfy beds, three separate areas for bath, sink and toilets and a tatami room where we had our dinner. There is also a spotless bathing area so we put on the hotel yukatas, a long bath and then went back to our room for a feast. The woman who served us spoke fluent English and answered all our questions about the delicious meal. There was a lot of seafood and seasonal vegetables and wine or sake was included in the price. We slept beautifully and the next morning were served a wonderful breakfast in the ryokan's restaurant which included small fish that we grilled on a hibachi at our table. After breakfast, we were ushered into the lounge and served more tea and bean cakes at a small table overlooking the garden. We went sightseeing, checked out and the hotel called us a taxi to take us to the station. The staff were very helpful and made a number of phone calls for us to track down an internet cafe in Okayama and printed out colored maps for us. (They have one computer in the Ryokan lounge but we needed to send something later in the day from Okayama).

Really the visit was more like a stay in a spa then a hotel. Everything was beautifuly done and as it was a Monday there were only a couple of other guests so it was very quiet. We loved the Toy museum and the old houses in Kurashiki and took a walk up the hill to the temples and also saw Ivy Square (a bit dull) and some other old streets. After the morning's sightseeing, we took a train to Okayama, left our bags in a locker and visited the "strolling garden" before getting the bullet train to Tokyo.

This Ryokan was recommended and features strongly in several guides for good reason. All the staff not just the Okami san are genuinely helpful and understanding regardless of your language skills, thinking of things you might need before you do such as booking the furano bath for private use.
Dinner and breakfast were freshly prepared, tasty, interesting, and as always in japan beautifully presented, but overall outstanding in comparison with other top quality japanese restaurants and hotels. There must be an excellent chef and kitchen staff at work here.
Located just beside the canal and inside old preserved town area, the Ryokan has a pretty stroll garden, an interesting interior mix of traditional and european, and rooms of a high standard. Our "room" was the top floor of a converted sugar warehouse and very large and comfortable as well as atmospheric.
Close to JR station but also has parking. Old Kurashiki itself is lovely to explore in the evening and morning before main visitors arrive, and Bizen is not far.
All this comes at a price, but if you (or your spouse) want somewhere really special to stay you will certainly get quality, style, service, and excellent food.