Miyamasou

Arrive early enough at this ryokan retreat in the mountain valleys north of Kyoto, and you might catch sight of apprentice chefs carving pieces of chestnut wood into the rustic chopsticks you’ll be eating with that evening. Such is the level of service and care provided at this traditional inn and restaurant, where wide tatami-floored rooms offer lovely views of the forest outside. Though a little far from Kyoto, the road to this place is worth the trip itself: a picturesque journey lined with cedars and shrines. Guests who make the trip are rewarded with a feast of local specialties, including carp sashimi from Lake Biwa to the east, and salt-baked bamboo shoots. The fresh herds which accentuate the tastes of these dishes are foraged from the surrounding area every day by the owner, Hisato Nakahigashi. For a traditional ryokan retreat with the bonus of world-class kaiseki dining, Miyamasou is one of the best options that the Kanto region has to offer.