Rankeisou

A magical experience to stay at Rankeisou. The mountain surrounding n a flowing river besides a hundred year old ryokan is indeed special especially when everything was covered in snow during our visit. Dinner was exquisite n breakfast was fabulous. The experience was made even more special by Yukari san who took the trouble to explain to us the significance of the Japanese cuisines n the historical background of the place. We are indeed mesmerized.

這個酒店距離新潟的燕三條車站還需要半小時車程。酒店有免費車接但必須提前2天預約。酒店是1933年成立。周邊環境四季都超級美。窗前是緩緩的河流，直接引入房間喝的山泉水非常甜美。安靜的喝杯手沖咖啡，閲讀三島由紀夫的《金閣寺》，餐也很豐富。這個酒店中國人很少，來度假的基本都是日本人。

服務非常好，讓人感到賓至如歸。酒店景色優美，環境幽雅，流連忘返。有機會還會來。

真的很超出預期，雪景超美，湯池漂亮。溪流房特別美，旅館也很乾凈。

Last week I had the great fortune to experience Rankeisou for the second time. Just as in my visit with my wife last Fall, this visit with my mother and aunt was an incredible experience. If you fancy a chance to see and feel a side of Japan away for the usual tourist spots, this is it. Wonderful natural setting, historic and beautiful building/accommodations, spectacular food, soothing “Onsen”, and a most welcoming staff. What a memorable visit we had. Almost hoping Rankeisou stays off the beaten path so the few of us that know this hidden gem and keep it to ourselves. Alas, the Shinkansen (bullet train) makes this incredible experience to easy to enjoy.

Perhaps we were expecting too much because of the good reviews, but the dinner speed was so fast! Though we ordered 2 beer and daiginjo sake, all dishes and dessert were served in only 50 minutes. As a long-established ryokan, it usually takes 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours to enjoy a meal, but this ryokan was like as fast as busy lunch restaurant. Some of the plates were factory made, the carp sashimi sauce was too spicy, and none of the dishes were reasonably hot, even the gratin was just slightly warm. We totally don't understand why this inn has such high reputation. The inn itself is old and well preserved, but not well cleaned. Stink bugs infestation may be unavoidable, but there were dead stink bugs in the hallway in front of my room from the time we checked in until the next morning. Dozens of them were also left in the toilets and hand washing area. We suppose this is endless to clean them but we must say that should be exterminated as soon as they are found. The waitress is a newcomer, but her service and explanation of meals were minimal only. Much improvement is needed to be a real good reputational Japanese inn.