Ryokan Takechiyo Kirishima Bettei

We were booked into this ryokan by our agent. Since we didn't see anything English on their website, we were a bit apprehensive. We should not have been since the management and staff were really welcoming and made us at home. They were pretty happy to communicate in English with us. The ryokan is in a great setting just next to the Kirishima shrine and very handy for the wonderful national park. There are only 11 rooms so we were given very personal service with someone assigned to look after us at each meal. And we ate in a different private room at each meal. The meals were excellent - both dinner and breakfast. Dinner followed the 9 courses that seem to be normal for high class ryokan dining and the food was excellent quality. Our room was beautiful and of traditional Japanese style. Futons were laid out nightly on one of the rooms while the other was a sitting area. So I guess it would take more than a couple easily. As well as a standard bath and shower, we had an outdoor onsen tub to ourselves. We really felt spoiled. I would have no hesitation about recommending this lovely ryokan to overseas visitors who do not speak Japanese. The only thing Iw oddly mention for those who want to stay in touch is that there is no wifi and the 4G connection for mobile is poor in that area.