Stepping in to Kiriya Ryokan is like stepping back in time. Steeped in tradition, it’s like a ryokan straight out of Kyoto – except luckily for us skiers it’s located right in the heart of Nozawa Onsen village.
Expertly run by Ko (who speaks fluent English) and her husband, the business has been in the family for 130 years. The oldest part of the current building structure is 70 years old.
Ko and her family offer a highly personalized service that makes it feel like you’re a guest in their home, rather than a hotel guest. You can even have a snuggle with one of their five cats that loll about in the lobby or the "cat lounge" The website has a full profile of each cat (they are all rescue cats) and they have "healing" benefits.
Breakfast is included in the rate and it includes a choice of Japanese or Western dishes. You also have the option of having dinner at the ryokan – consisting of an exceptionally delicious Japanese banquet (Western-style options may be available in the future).
There are just 15 rooms at Kiriya Ryokan, each furnished in the traditional Japanese style with tatami mats and futon beds (although these is one Western option). The traditional and some standard rooms do not have showers – guests use the onsen to bathe. Additionally, the hotel is within easy reach of some of Nozawa’s great public onsen.
We especially love the corner rooms that have gorgeous views of gardens covered in fluffy snow – it’s incredibly peaceful.
One thing about Kiriya Ryokan is that will be hard to leave and go back to normal hotels. You will definitely miss Ko’s hospitality, the fine food, the comfy futons and, of course, the cats.
