A Ryokan stay was one of our MUST-DO activities. The unique wooden bridge in Honke Banktu caught my eye while I was looking for one, and we decided on that.
We arrived at Yunishagawa Onsen Station after our walk at the Ryuokyo Canyon trail. After arriving at the station, we took the bus to Honke Bankyu.
We arrived at Honke Bankyu after the 20 minute bus journey that wound through the mountain. It is located at a small town in the midst of the mountain ranges. There was a signage to welcome the incoming guests.
After the check-in at the reception, the staff struck the huge drum at the lobby to welcome us. I was totally impressed with the upkeep and maintenance of the premise. Everything felt clean and orderly. We climbed up the stairs that was carved out of an existing tree(?) to our room.
Our room was spacious and had a nice view of the dining hall and the wooden bridge.
The staff pointed out some free snacks on the table, and wished us a good experience with them. We checked out the room, enjoyed the view for a bit and ate our snacks. We then changed to our Yukata, to go to the onsen! I love the outdoor onsen, immersing in the water, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. I also tried the indoor onsen, before going back to the room.
I realized that I did not know which was my room! The entire premise is rather large and in my excitement, did not remember the name of my room. I went back to the receptionist to ask for the room number before finally got back at the room.
Dinner Time
The highlight of the evening was our dinner, which is at the dining hall across the bridge. We hesitated about whether or not to wear our Yukata, eventually deciding to wear it as per the Japanese travel programs we usually saw on TV.
The sun was setting, and the surroundings were tranquil and peaceful. We walked across the bridge, and headed up to the dining area.
The staff has already prepared our table with the welcome signage, menu and appetizers.
We had our appetizers, and then the food continued to be served by the friendly staff.
I was impressed by the whole fish sashimi.
More and more food was being served, and we ate wholeheartedly as they were all delicious.
After a number of very different courses, including one particularly filling dish filled with melted cheese (it felt slightly western), we were served with a light dessert. It was amazing that we were able to finish all the food!
We ambled out way back to the room. The lit-up bridge and the view at night were so pretty.
Next Morning
I woke up at about 6am, and did another onsen dip before going for a morning walk with TP. We crossed the river by another bridge and then walked along the river bank. On our way back to hotel, a group of children chatting away while on their way to school , and we realized that it was a weekday!
We had our buffet breakfast before checking out of the hotel.
We caught the morning bus to Yunishigawa Onsen, and then the train back to Nikko.
Since a combination of trains and buses are needed to reach Honke Bankyu, the timetable is essential to plan your arrival and departure times from Honke Bankyu.
Overall, we really enjoyed our Ryokan experience. It was a good experience, and the traditional dinner service and even the breakfast buffet offered delicious food. More than that, I am glad to experience that even in this relatively small remote locality, the few locals that we met seem to go about their daily routine earnestly and cheerfully. I will like to include more ryokan stays in my future trips to Japan.
On the same trip:
Nikko 3-Days of Travel and Walking
Walking the Ryuokyo Canyon
Walking from Ryuzu Fall, Senjogahara to Yumoto-Onsen
Kogen Falls, Kanmangefuchi Abyss and Temples
Useful links:
Japan Guide: Yunishigawa Onsen
Honke Bankyu Ryokan
We arrived at Yunishagawa Onsen Station after our walk at the Ryuokyo Canyon trail. After arriving at the station, we took the bus to Honke Bankyu.
We arrived at Honke Bankyu after the 20 minute bus journey that wound through the mountain. It is located at a small town in the midst of the mountain ranges. There was a signage to welcome the incoming guests.
After the check-in at the reception, the staff struck the huge drum at the lobby to welcome us. I was totally impressed with the upkeep and maintenance of the premise. Everything felt clean and orderly. We climbed up the stairs that was carved out of an existing tree(?) to our room.
Our room was spacious and had a nice view of the dining hall and the wooden bridge.
The staff pointed out some free snacks on the table, and wished us a good experience with them. We checked out the room, enjoyed the view for a bit and ate our snacks. We then changed to our Yukata, to go to the onsen! I love the outdoor onsen, immersing in the water, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. I also tried the indoor onsen, before going back to the room.
I realized that I did not know which was my room! The entire premise is rather large and in my excitement, did not remember the name of my room. I went back to the receptionist to ask for the room number before finally got back at the room.
Dinner Time
The highlight of the evening was our dinner, which is at the dining hall across the bridge. We hesitated about whether or not to wear our Yukata, eventually deciding to wear it as per the Japanese travel programs we usually saw on TV.
The sun was setting, and the surroundings were tranquil and peaceful. We walked across the bridge, and headed up to the dining area.
The staff has already prepared our table with the welcome signage, menu and appetizers.
We had our appetizers, and then the food continued to be served by the friendly staff.
I was impressed by the whole fish sashimi.
More and more food was being served, and we ate wholeheartedly as they were all delicious.
After a number of very different courses, including one particularly filling dish filled with melted cheese (it felt slightly western), we were served with a light dessert. It was amazing that we were able to finish all the food!
We ambled out way back to the room. The lit-up bridge and the view at night were so pretty.
Next Morning
I woke up at about 6am, and did another onsen dip before going for a morning walk with TP. We crossed the river by another bridge and then walked along the river bank. On our way back to hotel, a group of children chatting away while on their way to school , and we realized that it was a weekday!
We had our buffet breakfast before checking out of the hotel.
We caught the morning bus to Yunishigawa Onsen, and then the train back to Nikko.
Since a combination of trains and buses are needed to reach Honke Bankyu, the timetable is essential to plan your arrival and departure times from Honke Bankyu.
Overall, we really enjoyed our Ryokan experience. It was a good experience, and the traditional dinner service and even the breakfast buffet offered delicious food. More than that, I am glad to experience that even in this relatively small remote locality, the few locals that we met seem to go about their daily routine earnestly and cheerfully. I will like to include more ryokan stays in my future trips to Japan.
On the same trip:
Nikko 3-Days of Travel and Walking
Walking the Ryuokyo Canyon
Walking from Ryuzu Fall, Senjogahara to Yumoto-Onsen
Kogen Falls, Kanmangefuchi Abyss and Temples
Useful links:
Japan Guide: Yunishigawa Onsen
Honke Bankyu Ryokan