After 5 weeks of travels we stayed here and it was fabulous. The villa the staff and the food and a trip to watch the ‘harvest’ show. Can’t praise this place enough a luxury which is worth it 😁 Around here there are more temples a gorge walk. Stay here and relax.
We loved our 2-night stay at Ryokan Shinsen - everything here was near perfection, with fantastic and caring service, an outstanding room (we had one of the smaller villas with a private outdoor bath, and beautifully landscaped garden) with very comfortable beds and lots of space, superb bathroom amenities and Japanese bath facilities, and lavish breakfasts and dinners that were always served in different settings: Ryokan Shinsen has expanded quite a bit - sign of its success, so we could sample a first dinner in the original main building in a private tatami room, a second dinner in the just-opened new wing of the hotel with fantastic gardens, and breakfast near our villa). A dress-up service for the women for dinner with a choice of free Kimono is also offered - a nice experience, and great for wonderful picture memories.
Not much we could suggest to improve - only (as somewhat usual in Japan) it was impossible to truly darken the room to sleep fully, forcing light-sensitive sleepers like me to get up somewhat early in the summers. Also the food presentation was outstanding, likely the most elaborate we have experienced on our multiple trips to Japan - though the taste did not always match that, and was sometimes rather bland.
We highly recommend Ryokan Shinsen, it‘s a beautiful place is you seek a bit of reclusion from this world and private time as a couple or family, and want to experience the stunning beauty of the Takachiho area: the gorge is somewhat overrated (at least for a European living in Switzerland), but the countless views and incredible waterfalls (would particularly recommend Unoko Falls, near Gokase) make it worth exploring the area.
