Japan Trip 2013- Hokoso Guesthouse
After coming all the way to Japan, I guess it is a must to experience ryokan at least once throughout the trip. Unfortunately due to budget constraints and a tight itinerary, we finally settled for a more budgeted version of a ryokan (Japanese styled rooms), which is known as a minshuku (or commonly known as a bed and breakfast). After doing some research we decided to stay at Hokoso Guesthouse which is located just right out the Tennoji Station in Osaka.
Unfortunately the owners of this guesthouse was not very well versed with the internet so all bookings can only be done through the phone or via fax. Fortunately my friend could speak some Japanese hence we made a skype call directly to the owners and got our bookings now. No deposits, no email confirmation. All by the word of trust and hopefully they got our bookings correctly.
We were greeted by a Japanese themed garden as we made our way to the entrance after passing the main door.
On our first day here in Osaka, the owner was kind enough to let us leave our luggages here and moved them into our rooms as we went back to Kyoto again for our second visit at Kiyomizudera.
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| Main lobby |
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| Our roomsfor the night |
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| Washing machine for laundry |
Like traditional ryokans, we had a communal bath for opposite sexes meaning everybody had to share the toilet and bath together naked. It wasn't really an issue for us anymore after we have tried the public bath back in the Tokyo hotel.
Toilet area was really big so it wouldn't be a problem if everybody decided to take a bath at the same time. Fortunately, every time we took a bath it was only us. Shampoo and body soap are all provided.
It costed about ¥5250 per person for one night and it is probably the only accommodation we paid for more than RM100 throughout our entire trip and I must say it was worth every single yen. Our room was quite huge by Japan standards and it fitted 5 of us comfortably (although it can fit up to 6). The tatami beds were nicely laid out by the owners and the whole room was really decorated according to a ryokan. The tatami beds were also quite thick and comfy that you won't feel the hardness of the floor. Nice experience here.
Basic amenities were provided which includes towels, a tea set with complimentary green tea etc.
While we didn't really spend much time in the room, we did have supper on our last night here in Osaka after buying random food from the nearby convenience stores and Mcdonald's.
Before leaving for the airport, we came back all sweaty and sticky and the owners were really kind enough to let us use the bathrooms for free for us to clean up and freshen up ourselves for our journey back to Malaysia even after we have checked out. Japanese hospitality at its best! The only regret at this place was that their kitchen wasn't functioning at our time of visit so I didn't get to try the traditional breakfast set. Hence I highly recommend this place to anybody who wishes to experience a pseudo-ryokan style of accommodation!
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| Group photo with the owner |
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