Ishiba Ryokan
Ishiba Ryokan descritpion
Ishiba Ryokan is located in Hirosaki, about a 10-minute walk from Hirosaki Castle. This homey inn features a Japanese garden, home-cooked meals with seasonal delicacies and cozy Japanese-style rooms.
The air conditioned rooms at Ryokan Ishiba have tatami floors and traditional futon beds. Guests can relax with a fresh cup of tea and enjoy the views of the natural surroundings. Some rooms include a private bathroom.
Guests can rent a bike from the hotel and have fun exploring the nearby park. The hotel houses a ski school, and fishing and hiking are available in the area. Free Wi-Fi is offered in the lobby.
Multi-course meals (kaiseki) are served for breakfast and dinner, featuring seasonal specialties made from fresh local ingredients.
Hirosaki Park is a 5-minute walk from the hotel, and Hirosaki City Museum is less than a 5-minute taxi ride away. Free parking is provided.
This property is a ryokan, which is a type of traditional Japanese Inn. Learn more
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Facilities of Ishiba Ryokan
Outdoors ：Grounds
Ski ：Ski School
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Activities ：Fishing | Skiing | Hiking | Cycling | Bicycle Rental
Food & Drink ：Special Diet Meals (upon request)
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Baggage Storage | Fax/Photocopying
General ：Family Rooms | Heating | Air Conditioning
Languages Spoken ：Japanese | English
Reviews for Ishiba Ryokan
Review 1：Hirosaki during mid december was quiet without much going on. But we had a great time hiring bicycles from the ryokan and riding to the apple farm and around the castle grounds.
Review 2：The owner was such an incredible host. Including driving us to a local onsen, out to dinner to local restaurants and to the train station after check out. All for no fee just kindness!Excellent breakfast too and bath facility was great as we had it to ourself!
Review 3：no. everything is perfect.
Review 4：the host is very nice. English fluently. He always has the good recommendation. They treated us feel like at home. and they are very warm.
Review 5：Lovely owner who speaks fantastic English. He gave us great recommendations for things to do and places to eat. He also gave us a lift when we were running late for our bus!
Review 6：Very kind and helpful owners, who speak English and French and are attentive to their guests' every need or wish. Atmospheric old building with lots of history.
Review 7：Staff were really nice and polite, gave us great recommendations to the surrounding areas. Breakfast was super awesome. Free parking right outside the ryokan which was a real convenience.
Review 8：The family were also so welcoming helpfully showed me to a. Great little restaurant and game the guests a lift to station the gentlemen spoke very good English .close to all the main attractions in the town
Review 9：We stayed in Japanese style room with shared bathroom. Owner of the ryokan was wery helpful and very well English speaking. He recommend were we can go to eat or to make trip. He took us for welcome drink into the bar. When we were leaving, he drove us to railway station. If we will go to this region, we will stay again in this ryokan.
Review 10：The bar...nude photos on the wall made it a very uncomfortable situation for us all- especially our 14 year old.
Review 11：A beautiful house! Rooms were well equipped and quaint. Wonderful Japanese experience. Great host.
Review 12：This place was great. The owner is a really nice and helpful person who did everything so we could enjoy our short trip to Hirosaki. He even speak an excellent French, it was funny to speak French to people in Japan ! Unfortunately we didn't stay long enough in this beautiful city ! We hope to come back soon !! Thanks again !
Review 13：The owner, who speaks English and French, is extremely friendly and helpful. Upon arrival, he will give you full information on what there is to see and do. Our stay was during the Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri. The night before, he drove us with his car to a small temple where already some festivities were taking place, and offered to pick us up again after a phone call. On the night of the Matsuri, he offered reserved seating on the main street where the parade was passing by. He also drove us back to the station so we didn’t have to walk back with our luggage. Rooms are spacious, everybody is very friendly, and the traditional Japanese breakfast is excellent. If you need to stay in Hirosaki, and you want to be close to the castle grounds, this is the place to stay!
Review 14：This Ryokan was amazing! The owner Soichiro, went out of his way at every turn to make sure our group had an amazing stay! The location was perfect and I would recommend this ryokan to anyone.
Review 15：Only problem was initially finding the location. Recommend that guest take taxi on arrival.
Review 16：Hospitality, owner's kind efforts, even drove me to dinner and to train.
Review 17：The ryokan is as nice as possible ; the room was very spacious, super clean, very comfortable. I didn't meet the other staff but Ishida san and his wife were among the nicest hosts I've met on my trip. I'll definitely stay there again if I ever come back to Hirosaki.
Review 18：my stay at the hotel was one of the memorable moments about japan that I keep telling the people about. The hotel has amazing location, beautiful grander, very nice room. I boles one room with shared bathroom and all was clean. I was welcomed with hot tea and the owners are so good. They also invited me for a drink at night. And next morning, when I missed my breakfast, the lady knocked on my room and was keeping the food fore. I never have seen something like this before. I have stayed in another Japanese houses in Japan but this was the best one. I really felt I was special. I totally recommend because they will make you feel like a member of the family. The owner even offered to dropped me to the train station:). Loved them and hope to stay at that hotel again
Review 19：Some signs are still in japanese kanji
Review 20：- the accomodation offers different experience, compare to hotel - walking distance to Hirosaki Park/Castle - the staff are friendly and even Soichiro-san took me to the Hirosaki station - provide complete brochure / pamphlete of tourist attractions
Review 21：Fantastic location near Hirosaki Castle, only a very short walk to see amazing cherry blossoms during spring. We arrived the day before the big cherry blossom festival and took some amazing photos of many varieties of cherry blossoms all day, then found plenty of food stalls set up around the grounds of the castle park in the evening. I suspect it gets very busy during the festival, so if you're planning to visit during this time, you might want to book well in advance. Great location and fantastic value for money.
Review 22：This is a great place to stay! It has loads of character and gives a ryokan experience for a lot less money than other places. The staff were really friendly and gave us good advice on places to go and things to do.
Review 23：Be ready for cooler temperatures in you room. This is a traditional building/ryokan and uses electric fan heaters to warm the tatami bedrooms. The rooms are still very comfortable.
Review 24：I can't say enough about how helpful, friendly and kind the staff at the hotel were. Soichiro was very helpful, and even drove me to the shamisen dinner bar I went to. He also lent me a bicycle (I was too early in the season for bike rentals to be available). The Japanese breakfasts were excellent and plentiful. The room I had, 27, was huge and had its own toilet and shower/bath room. I didn't use the shower/bath in my room because the main one was available for me to use and was much warmer.
Review 25：It is far to walk from JR Station.
Review 26：It is very nare Hirosaki Park. The owner is very nice, it was rainy in the evening that I stayed, Ryokan cannot service me dinner, he recommended and sent me to the restuarant. And sent me to JR staion in the mornimg.
Review 27：The staffs and owner are really gentle and kind. The owner speaks englosh very well that helps us a lot. We have to extend our car rental period, but the rental staff did not speak english. The owner helps us till we got the extended period. The meals also great and valuable especially dinner.
Review 28：The hotel is located in the center of Hirosaki. The staff is very kindly and the owner is very helpfull. Good exeprience. Near to the hotel is the Castel Park, a great place.
Review 29：The buildings are very old, so this ryokan may not be convenient for aged people or people with physical disabilities.
Review 30：Ishiba Ryokan is a bit run down, but that is part of it's charm. It has a wonderful historical atmosphere. Mr. Ishiba, his mother and the staff are the best point of this ryokan. They are very friendly and attentive. Mr. Ishiba speaks excellent English and is very eager to help his guests enjoy their visit to his historic and beautiful hometown, Hirosaki. I heartily recommend Ishiba Ryokan, especially to foreign visitors.
Review 31：Hot water for making tea was provided in a thermos flask , rather than as a kettle .
Review 32：The enthusiasm and support of the owner and staff - this was excellent .
Review 33：Been taken to the owners bar for a free drink but walls covered with nude women in very compromising poses.
Review 34：Owner spoke good English, and pointed us to some nice eating establishments.
Review 35：Friendliest, most knowledge host there is! Great hospitality with a really homely feel. Easy to find. Loved it and would highly recommend.
Review 36：staff beautiful ryokan and garden
Review 37：Nice and warm place
Review 38：Traditional ryokan
Review 39：Very helpful owner gave us a ride to the train station and spoke very good English.
Review 40：The host family was very nice and helpfull.
Review 41：Amenities are a little outdated, but hey, what you'd expect from a traditional ryokan?
Review 42：Owner is very friendly and helpful
Review 43：The world best
Review 44：We got an amazing room. The owner was very kind and talked to us about what to see and do around Hirosaki. I highly recommend to book a room there!
Review 45：The building, the room overlooking the garden, the Japanese breakfast. The owner and the staff are extremely kind and helpful.
Review 46：The owner of the place. He was was the most helpful and polite host we have ever had during our travels around the globe. Thanks for everything!
Review 47：The lovely owner took every effort to make our stay perfect. He even came back to help us on his day off. Thanks!
Review 48：Very nice owner that gave tips on touristing in Hirosaki and the neighbourhood. Nice location close to the castle.
Review 49：Nothing, just book it
Review 50：11/10 would book again
Review 51：Hot water was a little bit cool.
Review 52：Host was very very friendly and treated us like his own good friends. Room is very big, confortable and clean.
Review 53：Extremely kind owner. Drove us to restaurants, to the station etc. Spoke both English and French very well which is unusual.
Review 54：very interesting traditional house with helpful Management and best informations for the important places around
Review 55：Very accomodating staff, dropped us off at the station very early and offered to drop us off somewhere for dinner.
Review 56：All of their made me impressed.
Review 57：owner and staff are very friendly and helpful spacious rooms close to the castle and the main sightseeings of Hirosaki
Review 58：Nothing
Review 59：Quiet and good location Traditional building
Review 60：The location, Ishiba san, the big bath
Review 61：The authenticity
Review 62：Welcome drink
Review 63：Very helpful host in advising where to eat etc. A great location close to the castle. Nice atmosphere.
Review 64：Extremly supportiv owner who speaks englisch - his recommendation for dinner was the best dinner we had in three weeks.
Review 65：A very comfortable stay with friendly and helpful hosts in a wonderful Ryoken.
Review 66：It shows that it is an old house,
Review 67：Old, traditional ryokan Fantastic owner/ staff Charming old building Great location
Review 68：First japanese style hotel and it took some getting used to. My back started to bother me from working on the floor desk but the hotel is not to fault for that.
Review 69：Souchiro, the host at the hotel was amazing and made my stay! He recommended local cuisine, sights, and transit. I had a wonderful stay!!! Highly recommended, I will be back.
Review 70：A magical experience, as if from a different time and place than 21stcentury Japan. Exceptional hospitality. The owner accompanied us to alocal genuine Japanese restaurant to explain my wife's allergy tosoy products - a real problem for her in Japan.
Review 71：Inside was still a bit cold.
Review 72：Very friendly and helpful staff, excellent service that included driving us to the restaurant and train station. Lovely onsen.
Review 73：The bathroom was a little primitive for modern tastes
Review 74：We liked being in a truly Japanese environment and we appreciated the courtesy of the staff and especially the guided tour of the town with which we were delighted. Thank you very much
Review 75：Without doubt you have to be prepared for something different. We had an 'en-suite' which is basic but fine if you know what you're doing. It does get cold so warm it up first by running the shower. Not something I'd do for every night of a stay in Japan but certainly one I won't forget (for the good reasons)
Review 76：Ishiba San and the ladies were first class. Extremely helpful and very polite. They made the stay very special. We also slept very well despite not being used to sleeping on futons.
Review 77：The old feeling of the Ryokan. It made me feel like I was in Samurai time. The staff was so nice and friendly. The Futon beds were comfortable with the extra mat on the floor.
Review 78：When we booked I wasn't sure if shared bathroom ment there was an onsen at the hotel and there would be a toilet in our room. Turns out shared bathroom means toilet and shower are not in your room. There is no onsen at hotel. This was not a problem for us, but hope this info helps someone else.
Review 79：The staff was very helpful and friendly. The owner/manager spoke very good English. It was a great traditional Japanese hotel. Built in the late 1800's. Rustic, not fancy. Comfortable with a great traditional Japanese breakfast. They were very welcoming to our family with a 3 year old. Really great location too. If you are going for a festival at the castle you are within walking distance. Hotel has free parking.
Review 80：The building is very old and may perhaps some sort of internal modernization will make it more comfortable.
Review 81：The Ryokan is directly operated by the owner, Mr Ishiba. He is very attentive to the needs of all guests, providing all kinds of assistance to make our trips more enjoyable and memorable. Trips were organized for us to view the Nebuta in the evening. We were given useful train information for visiting neighboring towns. The building was very old and still retain quite some historical features worth looking and photo taking. The central location facilitates travelling to a great number of tourist sights very convenient.
Review 82：A family run place with a very warm, welcoming environment. The venue is gorgeous and the host extremely helpful and efficient (speaks good English and French too). 10/10, magic. Merveilleux a tout point de vue! Experience superbe et authentique et le maitre des lieux est accueillant.
Review 83：The facilities are a bit spartan and dated, although given thereasonable rates, it is still a good value.
Review 84：The owner is an excellent English speaker, a rarity in northern Japan.He is friendly and helpful, as is the remainder of the family. Thelocation is great, and the building is a fine, old historic ryokan withechoes of the 19th century.
Review 85：Ishiba Ryokan is now the benchmark by which we judge ryokans -- restored and maintained with great respect for the amazing history of the place, yet thoughtfully made very comfortable for the contemporary guest. Location very convenient. The family is very friendly and helpful, and Ischiba-san (fluent in English and French) is ever ready with recommendations and advice for exploring the city and the region. Hope to return soon and have him guide us to explore the beautiful mts.
Review 86：Nothing.
Review 87：An excellent ryokan. Owner made great recommendations for local bars and restaurants, and went out of his way to help with my plans. I was thinking about doing some hiking, and he offered to lend me some his personal gear. For the price, it really doesn't get much better than this. Highly recommend the breakfast as well.
Review 88：Nothing. Classic ryokan
Review 89：Classic Ryokan. Four generations of running the joint, after the Meiji Resotration and dissolution of the Samurai class. Excellent proximity to Hirosaki-jo, excellent asagohan, and everything apple must be consumed!
Review 90：We have never stayed in a Ryokan before so we have little to compare this place to; but there wasn't anything which we didn't like.
Review 91：Very friendly proprietor (who speaks excellent English which was helpful for us; and who kindly took us to the station in his own car). The staff were all very helpful. A very relaxing place to stay. We enjoyed the seemingly endless supply of tea and the chance to enjoy the bathing room. Close to Hirosaki attractions particularly the Castle. Would definitely recommend this ryokan to others.
Review 92：I lived in room no. 27 , on 25th,April,20131. It's a traditional Japanese Ryokan. 2. It's very clean. 3. Its service is Japanese tradional and can use English for communication. 4. The Japnese breakfast is very good. 5.The price can be compatible with Its service.
Review 93：It was very cold (but it was March and there was lots of snow). The roomhad a gas heater that warmed it up ok but all other areas of the ryokanwere freezing.
Review 94：The staff were very friendly and hospitable. It is a very authenticJapanese experience-futon beds, rice paper walls etc.
Review 95：the water is too cool. you have to tell the innkeepers if you want to use toilet etc, otherwise the water is super freeze.
Review 96：countryside, traditional and Japanese style.
Review 97：Good friendly management with traditional Japanese hospitality. Nice location, close to the castle
Review 98：very good and kindly service.
Review 99：It needs a traditional with contemporary refurbishment to take advantage of it's history whilst offering a modern experience.
Review 100：Traditional Ryoken
Review 101：Nothing really.
Review 102：The ryokan was great, the food was really good, and the staff was super friendly and helpful.
Review 103：Everything was great. The owner was very friendly, helpful and kind. We would recommend the ryokan and would stay again.
Review 104：The owner is super nice and friendly, the room and food are amazingly well, we enjoyed the stay very much, strongly recommend to go for this hotel!
The Fine Print
Please note that payment with American Express credit card is not accepted at this hotel.