Kashikojima Hojoen

After staying at many other ryokans and receiving warm and personalized service, we found this place to be very large and quite impersonal. The dining experience has more of a cafeteria vibe - even though a kaiseki meal is being served. The server comes in with each course and and provides a quick description in Japanese and immediately exits. The printed menu is also only in Japanese and no effort is made to explain the courses if you speak English. Service feels rushed at times and at other times you may be sitting for quite a while before the next course arrives. You'll have to track someone down to refill your water. Breakfast buffet is similarly chaotic and not exceptionally creative. Though you are paying quite a high rate for the room, you must also pay additional for other services such as use of the game room or to play ping pong. Gift shop is highly priced so would suggest you get your drinks/snacks at the train station before catching the shuttle to the hotel. The hotel is pretty isolated so their shuttle to and from the train station is much appreciated. The bath is spacious and clean though would appreciate if they had more prominent signage to encourage use of the open air bath which is in a separate location. The view of Ago bay from the room is spectacular. However the large picture window allows a lot of sun/heat to warm the room and the air conditioner is not very strong. The most memorable part of our stay was our encounter with Mr. Ohta who runs the bowling alley. He is a wonderful person who made our experience so enjoyable by sharing his bowling tips, helping us to do scoring and cheering for our strikes and spares. It is clear that he loves his job and we found his hospitality to be so genuine.