Alice W.
Yelp
We made our reservation using credit card points and feel so lucky we got to stay here as a part of our honeymoon.
Getting here: we started in Kobe and took the Sannomiya station bus straight to Arima (770¥ each). From the Arima station, it's a 5 minute walk up. Super painless to get here!
Entering: upon approaching the entrance, you are greeted by staff and they offer to take your bags. You sign in to register. They take you to the side room for tea and a snack. If you chose to have the dinner, they go over the menu with you and your beverage choice. :)
Also, they give you a coupon for a free beverage in their lounge/piano room, which was nice. I got a sparkling wine while the hubby got a beer.
Room: after tea, an attendant takes you to your room and gives you a mini tour on the way. We got got Tenraku Superior Suite for 2 people. It has a little entry way walk in, the room for your meals/sleeping, and an indoor balcony. There are little stairs that then lead you into another room for relaxing, a massage chair (big win in my book), and the bathroom. There is also a tv.
In room stuff: they have English and Japanese instructions for the ryokan and the onsen, plus towels. There's also yukatas set out for you. In the bathroom, you have main toiletries provided. :)
Dinner: we did the in-room dinner kaiseki meal at 6:30 pm (the other option was 6:00pm). Everything was well portioned. The meal came out in 5 phases. They serve you each phase, leave the room to give you about 15 minutes to finish that course, and then come back to clear that set and bring the next one. Total, it took about 1.5 hours.
Futons: after dinner, they clear your table and prepare your futons for bed. I thought they were super comfy, but the husband begs to differ. Lol!
Onsen bath: they provide towels for you in your room to take to the onsen. The onsen is not private, but is shared w the other guests of the ryokan. It has gender-specific bathing/cleansing areas, and then you enter the larger bath, which is separated by gender but is open so you can talk to the other side. :) get low so you ain't exposed. Hahaha. Also, yes this is Nude so don't wear a bathing suit or bring your large towel into the actual bath.
FYI ~ my husband has visible tattoos and they didn't make any comment when we came into the ryokan or when we prepared to go into the bath.
Breakfast: you have the option of 830 am or 9am. They come 30 min before to clear out your futons and serve orange juice. This meal is brought out in one go. It is a nice lighter kind of meal, but was still a filling amount. :)
They have complimentary coffee downstairs in the piano room.
Overall: this place has wonderful service and amenities. Also, real talk - there's nothing to do in Arima but rest and relax. Usually when traveling I feel pressured to move fast and get things done, but this place was absolutely wonderful bc you're just forced to enjoy the stillness and be served. So go and treat yourself.