Kappo Ryokan Kasumigaura

I visited this traditional Japanese inn after a night shift, having heard good reviews about its delicious food. Their eel dishes are highly acclaimed, but I booked a relaxing kaiseki plan with a variety of dishes in a Riverside DX room. The inn, located on a river that flows from Lake Kasumigaura, sits on spacious grounds. The immaculately cleaned corner guest room was cozy. The futons on the thick mattresses were especially comfortable, and I really liked them. The owner even provides a small supply of alcohol and soft drinks in the guest room refrigerator, a nice touch in these modern times. All guest rooms are on the second floor, but the stairs are steep, so it might be difficult for those with strong legs. The hot spring in the indoor bath is a little warm, allowing for a long, relaxing soak. It's not large, so even with four people in the men's bath, it feels like a training camp. The long-awaited meal was served in the dining area. The elaborate appetizers arranged in a tiered box were a gorgeous sight. Of course, the sight of the delicious food, along with the other delicious dishes, was satisfying to both body and mind. We also enjoyed sake from Aiyu Sake Brewery in Itako. Breakfast was a wide variety of Japanese dishes, made with rice from Ibaraki Prefecture. The coffee after the meal was fragrant and delicious. The staff were also kind and courteous. This is truly a Japanese Auberge.

A ryokan (Japanese inn) along Lake Kasumigaura. I always passed by this on my cycling trips, but I stayed overnight after a round of golf and got breakfast included. The parking lot, entrance, and hallways were all spacious, and it felt like I was in a luxurious mansion, with a spaciousness that was unimaginable from the outside. Inside, the new and old buildings have the same interior, are well-maintained, and I had a very pleasant stay. I stayed alone in a 16-tatami Japanese-style room, and opening the window let in a refreshing breeze, allowing me to relax. There were several bottles of alcohol and beverages in the refrigerator, which I was surprised to find were provided free of charge. The futon mattress was high, so I was able to sleep comfortably. The bathroom was not as small as people had said, and was spacious enough, allowing me to take a leisurely bath. However, the quality of the hot spring water and the body shampoo (DHC) didn't suit me very well. Breakfast was kaiseki-style, and everything was carefully prepared and delicious, and I ate it all. However, I thought I'd have some grated yam, but when I added soy sauce, it turned out to be bavarois, so an explanation might have been helpful! There was a sense of care and attention to detail everywhere, and I could sense the earnestness of the management and employees.

15 mins to Sawara area, 40 mins to Narita airport by car. A convenience store is 5 mins walk from the hotel. I saw the review scoring of 4.8/5.0 at Rakuten Travel so I decided to stay. But since I expected too much because of such high score, I did not really understand why the scoring was so high. It is maybe due to the pricing (13,500¥ including dinner&breakfast which is reasonable?). The service was great. The room was just big, nothing special. Since its environment and location, there were many small insects coming into the room which was bothersome. The public bath was small and I could not really feel the hot spring atmosphere. The food was just OK. I am sorry but it was not what I expected even though it was enough for the pricing.

I'll be back. If you want eel, this is the place. They don't call themselves kappo for nothing. The thick eel is slightly charred on the outside to make it crisp, and fluffy and juicy on the inside, with a dark, sweet tamari soy sauce and absolutely no fishy smell, making it irresistible. The appetizer is super fresh sashimi caught the day before in Tokyo Bay. It goes well with alcohol. And don't miss the breakfast. In this age of rising prices, a meal with such a thorough selection is a no-brainer for profitability. I hope they don't go out of business. You'll be 124% satisfied, guaranteed. The hot spring is just an added value, but the surprisingly gentle water quality makes it even better.

~A hidden gem I want to visit again and again!~ We used the restaurant for meals only. ◾️Reservations required◾️ We went as a group and ordered the Eel Master Plan and the Roast Beef Set Meal, and we were very satisfied with both! The eel in the Master Plan was especially plump and voluminous; it was so impressive that I thought, "It's been a long time since I've seen such a magnificent eel rice bowl!" I wish I had taken pictures! Above all, the service and hospitality of the inn staff were excellent. Next time, I would like to stay overnight. Thank you for your hospitality.