We are staying at Ibusuki Kokoronoyado After the snafu of going to the wrong hotel last night, we are so glad to be where we are. Obviously the price is right, but we like the laid back style here and the Onsen is excellent…one of the better ones we have used. We can go to the Onsen any time and as often as we like without paying. It is also open to the public.
We signed up for breakfast. Exceeded expectations.
We have become accustomed to a Japanese breakfast and have grown to love it….most of it, still working on Natto. The breakfast was exceptional. We really like the Japanese approach of the food being placed on individual small plates. It makes for a very attractive presentation, plus it highlights each dish.
Scott AndersonYou might appreciate this: it’s the hand-drawn map of our dinner spread at one of our ryokans. The following photo after this is the map for the next morning’s breakfast. Now I wish I’d have thought to take a photo of the food itself to compare against its food map.
https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/winterlude2024/reactivating-the-archival-project/#57160_p9ebzdnkwt8lnevh4n9a4q8zlcb Reply to this comment 2 weeks ago
Barry BartlettI love the maps that they created for your breakfast and dinner. Judging from the map it looks like you had an amazing dinner. It’s great that they also included directions on how to eat the food. Wow, they even included a drawing of the chopsticks. I found your post very interesting. As travellers though life and on the road, so many
Of us have a wealth of memories and archival history. Many of us have the pressures of downsizing. Reply to this comment 2 weeks ago
We enjoy having our rubber ducks, Betty and Bob on our trikes. However, it’s not just us who have rubber ducks on our trikes. Japanese people are way ahead of us as many bikes have one as well.
We are staying in a complex comprised of three buildings with hotel rooms and the centrepiece is this fourth large building which has a restaurant, areas to relax and a huge onsen. We love it here.
The Onsen has therapeutic hot spring water which helps with aches and pains. It is inspiring to watch people in their 90’s who have probably had daily visits to Onsens throughout their lives. Here is a layout of the facilities which include extras like massage, specialized treatments, etc.
You can’t take photos in an onsen, so we included a few of their photos. The photo below shows a wonderful area on the right where you lie down and the jets make you feel wonderful. The jets can target your legs, back, shoulders… The lower photo shows some of the outside area…it is extensive with at least four large pools and one has a tv mounted on the end.
When in Japan, it is important to understand the rules when it comes to footwear. When you enter, remove your outside shoes and store them in the included shoe locker. Then you proceed to the next area in socks, bare feet or slippers, if you have them. The other critical area is not to wear your footwear in to the toilet stall. Before entering, remove your inside slippers and wear the provided toilet slippers in the stall.
Just the sight of palm trees makes us feel better. Sidewalks are usually very wide which gives cyclists an option…or you can use the bike lane on the road by the curb.
We translated this sign as we couldn’t figure it out. Well, the Japanese do have strong feelings about decorum and being healthy but this one surprised us. In an elevator, it recommends standing facing the corner and don’t cough. For,the record, we have never seen people in Japan do this.
Barry is having a set meal featuring gozen a style of Japanese eating where there are multiple dishes. It was delicious with sashimi, prawn tempura, salad, udon noodle soup etc. The dish on the left side is called, Chawanmushi.It is a savoury egg custard steamed in a cup. Included in the custard is shrimp, fish and vegetables. The supplied spoon is essential for eating chawanmushi.
Many public spaces, including Onsens, feature a Manga library. You can also count on large open spaces for relaxation which help you to cool down and enjoy the effect of the Onsen before heading out.
We have enjoyed our room with a view of the countryside. Mary Ellen has become sick overnight with a respiratory bug and we tried to stay another night. Alas, they are fully booked so we will move on. This has been a memorable stay with an outstanding Onsen.
https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/winterlude2024/reactivating-the-archival-project/#57160_p9ebzdnkwt8lnevh4n9a4q8zlcb
2 weeks ago
Of us have a wealth of memories and archival history. Many of us have the pressures of downsizing.
2 weeks ago