It's been more than 5 years when my husband and I lugged our bags straight from Narita Airport, boarded the Romancecar from Shinjuku as we made our way to Hakone. Back then in Apr 2007, after more than 23 years since my first visit to Japan, I did not know what to expect. I was enthralled by scenes of cherry blossoms and the rugged mountainous region as we left Tokyo behind us. When we arrived at a Hakone, I though the holiday was doomed cos everything was in Japanese and Yoshiike's staff couldn't explain the directions in English on how to get there from Yumoto station. Help came from an English speaking young Japanese couple and it was a short walk with some trepidation after the disappointing start. However when we arrived, the sight of the charming ryokan that greeted us started to make us feel better. The welcoming drinks were a pleasant touch. When we were shown our room, I was really taken by it, with its tatami flooring and everything typically Japanese. The room was divided in 3 parts, the main living area, the bedroom n the sitting area. The last was my favorite as it opened up to a spectacular view of a vast, beautiful, sprawling n well kept garden, with one side of a mountain looming up behind it. It was such a feast for the senses that till today, I can still recall it. The...It's been more than 5 years when my husband and I lugged our bags straight from Narita Airport, boarded the Romancecar from Shinjuku as we made our way to Hakone. Back then in Apr 2007, after more than 23 years since my first visit to Japan, I did not know what to expect. I was enthralled by scenes of cherry blossoms and the rugged mountainous region as we left Tokyo behind us. When we arrived at a Hakone, I though the holiday was doomed cos everything was in Japanese and Yoshiike's staff couldn't explain the directions in English on how to get there from Yumoto station. Help came from an English speaking young Japanese couple and it was a short walk with some trepidation after the disappointing start. However when we arrived, the sight of the charming ryokan that greeted us started to make us feel better. The welcoming drinks were a pleasant touch. When we were shown our room, I was really taken by it, with its tatami flooring and everything typically Japanese. The room was divided in 3 parts, the main living area, the bedroom n the sitting area. The last was my favorite as it opened up to a spectacular view of a vast, beautiful, sprawling n well kept garden, with one side of a mountain looming up behind it. It was such a feast for the senses that till today, I can still recall it. The meals that we had was another out of this world experience - we were so full cos we don't know how many courses we would be served. And each course was so beautifully prepared, we felt it would be rude if we didn't finish what was served. And staying at yoshiike was a lovely way for a newbie to be introduced to an onsen. And soaking in the outdoor onsen with a view of the mountain was truly a relaxing experience. I was most reluctant to leave after 3 days cos I just could not have enough of the ryokan experience. Becos of Yoshiike, that will be my yardstick for all other ryokans. In my eyes, it will be a tall order for other ryokans to match - fr service, to food to hospitality. I travelled to Tokyo in Dec 2012, and wanted to recapture thy experience with my daughter. Alas the ryokan was fully booked.More
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