THE STORY

For generations, the lovely Kifu-no-sato ryokan has been an institution in the Yunogo area of Okayama Prefecture. Its Tsuyoshi Sasaki, had a passion for flowers, and for the traditional Japanese art of ikebana, and this shows in the interiors of the ryokan - dozens of beautiful flower arrangements grace its halls and rooms to provide flashes of beauty, as well as a connection to the natural world.
The ryokan displays all the luxury and refined taste one expects from a high-end establishment, including lovely interiors, impeccable service, relaxed, friendly hospitality, and exquisite attention to detail. The interior spaces, including the hallways, are carpeted with tatami, providing a restful aroma and enhancing the relaxed atmosphere. The interior design - down to the matchboxes - is meant to reflect the beauty of flowers and the passing of the seasons.
Kifu-no-sato's management is now in its fourth generation. The Sasakis are also passionate about their place in the community, which is why Kifu-no-sato features art, crafts, furniture and foods created by local artists and craftsmen.
The ryokan's location in the Yunogo historical quarter places it in a fascinating historical context, in the middle of what was once the ancient domain of Bizen, and the birthplace of the renowned swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. This area is now a hotbed of traditional crafts, with a host of craftspeople, young and old, striving to revive Japan's traditional ways.

ROOMS

  • ROOM Highest Grade Suite - Hinoogi Kifu-no-sato's beautiful rooms all feature spaces with tatami mats, with their very restful aro…
  • ROOM Semi Suite - Botan Semi-suites - These have twin Western-style beds with an attached tatami room for relaxing Japa…
  • ROOM Room with Open-air Bath Kifu-no-sato's most popular suites are those with rotemburo open-air baths. Some of these are l…
  • ROOM Japanese Style Room Standard Washitsu (Japanese-style Rooms) - These basic rooms have tatami mats and comfortable f…
  • ROOM Japanese Style Twin Room Standard Western-style Rooms - With soft and comfortable twin beds and an alcove for sitting, t…
    ROOM Highest Grade Suite - Hinoogi Kifu-no-sato's beautiful rooms all feature spaces with tatami mats, with their very restful aroma, and fine woodwork, including furniture made locally from sustainably harvested trees. Each room has different furnishings, locally made, which are available for purchase. Suites - These rooms have comfortable twin beds and an attached tatami room. There is fine woodwork throughout the rooms, including a large dining table made from light and silky Hinoki wood by a local craftsman. Interior details include Bizen-yaki pottery made by local artists and washi wall art, as well as huge flat-screen TVs. The suites include rotemburo outdoor bath, that is made of hinoki wood - soaking in a tub with the fragrance of hinoki wood will relax your body and soul.
    ROOM Semi Suite - Botan Semi-suites - These have twin Western-style beds with an attached tatami room for relaxing Japanese-style. The windows have lovely mountain views, and in-room meal service is available upon request for up to five diners. Children's discounts are available.
    Tall windows with shoji screens make these bright and cheerful rooms, with views of the mountainside across the way.
    ROOM Room with Open-air Bath Kifu-no-sato's most popular suites are those with rotemburo open-air baths. Some of these are lovely Shigaraki yaki - huge and round, bathing in them is like soaking in a huge teacup. Others are big, square wooden tubs, equally comfortable. The ground-floor rotemburo suites have an attached garden; the top-floor ones are perfect for soaking and gazing at the stars. These rooms accommodate up to five guests.
    ROOM Japanese Style Room Standard Washitsu (Japanese-style Rooms) - These basic rooms have tatami mats and comfortable futons for sleeping Japanese-style.
    ROOM Japanese Style Twin Room Standard Western-style Rooms - With soft and comfortable twin beds and an alcove for sitting, these rooms provide restful accommodation.

FACILITIES &
SERVICES

  • Grand Bath If you like hot water, you're in for a treat at Kifu-no-sato - the bathing here is a special pleasure. Soaking in a rotemburo outdoor bath is a year-round delight. Bathing under the open sky, in summer you can work up an extra sweat, and in winter you can experience the special pleasure of soaking in a hot bath, cozy while you watch the snow drift down. There are also indoor hot pools big enough to swim laps in. Individual wooden outdoor baths made of beautiful silky hinoki wood allow you to feel profound relaxation, surrounded by nature.
    The bathing facilities also include a pebble sauna, in which you lie on a bed of hot pebbles and work up a sweat in the deep heat.
    In addition, there are several private rooms that can be reserved.
  • Private Open-air Bath  
  • Dining There are several restaurants serving the ryokan's guests: "Zakuro" serving Japanese Kaiseki cuisine. Four private rooms, just the right size for groups of five or six, overlook a beautiful traditional garden. Three smaller rooms are also available for more intimate dining.
    In addition, three other dining spaces are available: "Ajisai," a larger room, perfect for slightly larger parties of up to 12; "Momiji," a tatami room designed for small parties; and "Tsubaki," a larger room for private parties and meetings.
    There is also a karaoke room, with comfortable couches dressed up in very authentic-looking, shiny blue velour, for a pleasant trip down memory lane as you sing your heart out in a relaxing, soundproof venue.
  • Cuisine The food is, of course, superb gourmet fare, delicious and exquisitely presented, as one would expect from a top-notch Japanese luxury ryokan. It consists mostly of kaiseki Japanese haute cuisine, with all the elegance, delicacy, flavor and healthy freshness that this implies. Freshwater fish are caught locally, seafood comes from the nearby Seto Inland Sea, and vegetables are sourced locally. In particular, the steak, a substantial cut of premium wagyu Japanese beef, is a treat. The local sake and shochu are especially fine.
  • Spa The ryokan's Spa has two rooms, and offers massage, aromatherapy and other treatments based on the principles of Ayurveda.
  • Meeting Room Function/Party rooms are available for larger get-togethers and business meetings.
  • Lobby The Gift Shop in the lobby sells local crafts, including fine local glassware, pottery and dyed goods, as well as local foods and the delicious sake and shochu for which this area is famous.

EXPERIENCE

  • Samurai Traditions in Yunogo Onsen Mimasaka, OKAYAMA 4 Days 3 Nights More

Map &
Transportation

Closest Train Station Hayashino Station
Closest Bus Station N/A
Free pick-up service YES
Complimentary transfer from/to Hayashino Station (10min) / Yunogo-Kami bus stop (2min) / Reservation required
Key Gate Way Int'l Airport and Train (Shinkansen) Station

MOVIE

Ryokan Data

Area YunogoOnsen / 湯郷温泉
Name of Ryokan Kifu No Sato / 季譜の里
Address 180 Yunogo, Mimasakashi, Okayama 707-0062
〒707-0062 岡山県美作市湯郷180
Total Number of Rooms 32 rooms
Check-in Time 15:00
Check-Out Time 11:00
Credit Card Yes

Meals

Dinner Start Time 18:00 / 18:30 / 19:00
Breakfast Start Time 7:30 - 8:30
In Room Dining Available Yes
Bar
Special Dietary Arrangements Yes
Vegan Friendly Yes
Western Breakfast Available Yes / Bread, ham & eggs, salad, soup, fruits, juice, coffee

Other Facilities & Services

Communal Bath Yes
Family Bath Yes
Private indoor bath in room Yes
Private open-air bath in the room 未設定

Room Rates

ROOM RATES
Room Type Number of guest per room (JPY)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Highest Grade Suite - Hinoogi N/A 42,644 37,244 32,924 30,224 28,604 26,364 23,744
Semi Suite - Botan N/A 29,684 26,444 24,284 22,124 20,504 18,884 N/A
Room with Open-air Bath N/A 27,524 25,364 23,744 21,584 N/A N/A N/A
Japanese Style Room 26,401 22,124 19,964 18,344 17,264 N/A N/A N/A
Japanese Style Twin Room 26,401 22,124 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Note:
Non-smoking room: NO
Barrier free: YES

Please be advised that rate will change depending on number of guests and dates. Please contact us for details.

Ryokan rate: is for one person, includes one night accommodation, Japanese full course dinner, breakfast, service charge and tax.

- The mentioned rates and service are available only for LRC Members who book through LRC's website.
- The rates are subject to change without any prior notice.
- Please note that a particular room cannot be guaranteed in advance unless otherwise stated by The Ryokan Collection