Chuokan Shimizuya Ryokan

The owners are so friendly, wonderful, accommodating. They were so kind to me. The room is a traditional Japanese room. The bathroom is shared (toilet, gendered), as is the Onsen where the shower and bath are. The sink to brush your teeth is also shared. The location is 10/10. I could walk everywhere - to wonderful shops, great affordable dinner (vegan and vegetarian soba nearby), and about a 17 minute walk to the train station. If you have luggage, take the bus for under 200¥ in 5 minutes. This location is also right next to a shopping street, a seven eleven, and multiple bus stops. The walk to the temple takes 5 minutes but the street itself is quiet. Go first thing in the morning for a quiet start to the day. The rooms are clean and each equipped with a mini split AC which kept the room cool in late June. I am already missing my stay at this ryokan. I cannot say enough good things. This would not be a great place for loud children as the walls are thin and they could disturb other guests. As a solo traveler, I felt safe and well cared for by the owners.

Very comfy futon bed and tatami mats. Beautiful place to stay.

I found the small maze of stairs fun and unique but anyone with mobility issues might have a hard time getting to their rooms and the bathroom.

Great hospitality. Very welcoming elderly couple. Clean, simple and beautiful accommodation. The shared bathrooms were better than I expected.

On my first morning, I was still affected by jet lag and around 10am the hostess came in and I wasn't expecting it. I think she wanted to make sure the room was clean but it would have been nice to have a do not disturb sign or something like that. Very minor and it only happened once.

The building itself is very charming in the old-world kind of way, extremely nostalgic and suitable for someone who wants to experience Japanese culture. The old couple who are running the place are very friendly. The location is definitely extremely convenient for someone who wants to go to Zenkoji early in the morning.

Nothing.