Reviews of Ena Totaro 2 stars

Emi-san and her family looked after us so well. The food was fantastic! Emi-san picked us up and dropped us off from the train station, she and her sister Junko-san welcomed us with a Matcha tea ceremony, taught me how to fold an origami crane while I was waiting for my boyfriend, taught us how to write our names in Katakana and we loved the onigiri making session. We also were lucky enough to come at a time when the Zazen morning meditation at the local Buddhist temple was offered. The rooms were so generous. We really had a wonderful time and were sad to leave. Thank you for everything Junko, Emi and your wonderful family.

Very friendly and helpful staff. Fine cooking.

My room was a bit noisy.

Totaro is such an absolute delight - from start to finish the hospitality and helpfulness of the staff, along with the quality of the food, was outstanding. The room is huge and sleeping on the a futon on the tatami mats was more comfy than I’d expected! Emi, her mum and her sisters do an amazing job running the place and I so enjoyed the dinner they prepared on both nights. The quality was excellent and it tasted delicious. Emi was also very happy to drop me at the railway station in Ena and pick me up after a day out. The onsen is small but perfect for a hotel of this size and was so relaxing after long days’ walking. There is masses to do in the area from walking the old Samurai trail to visiting beautiful old towns and villages. The small railway in Ena is also a highlight. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in this area, you’ve found it!

This traditional inn is a little jewel. We were blown away by the kindness and hospitality of the ladies who run the place. It’s located a bit outside of town, but Emi and Junko were always happy to give us a ride. The meals are gorgeously prepared feasts - good luck if you can finish! The hotel also arranged a “Zazen experience” at a historic temple nearby, which was very interesting. We will treasure our memories of the Totoro and its wonderful staff!

We enjoyed everything.

Japanese. Very good

The social bathrooms

Authenticity, staff, food

My first experience of a traditional Ryokan and Onsen- sleeping on futon on tatami mats and eating in a private dining room exquisitely prepared and presented food- a delight everywhere I looked

There was nothing I didn’t like

A great place to stay before commencing Nakasendo trail.. beds very comfortable and fabulous dinner and breakfast..lovely hosts

The food was outstanding and the staff were soooo friendly and helpful!’

For dinner, you can enjoy dishes carefully served on crockery. It is nice to be able to choose a local sake to match the dish and your taste. Of course, the breakfast is also varied and delicious. You will be hosted as a traditional Japanese hotel.

Bathrooms are Japanese style and smell of cypress, but are shared. Large men may find them small.

Amazing dinner, and spacious Japanese room, very friendly service.

Nothing, that hotel is better than expected

Nicest staff, adorable place with amazing food. Only great things to say.

Friendly helpful team. Beautiful property. Wide selection of dishes both meals.

Beautiful place and location. Very comfortable although the rest room was not en-suite. The rooms were wonderful tatami style, the onsen just right and very good food. Most importantly the host was very helpful and kind. I highly recommend this hotel.

The men’s bathroom was a bit old and not to the same standard as the rest of the hotel.

Cosy and friendly staffs. Dinner is absolutely fantastic and serve differently every night

Nothing to don’t like about the place, expected of a ryokan the toilet are separated so a little inconvenient

Free shuttle service if you call them (within reasonable hours) Breakfast is delicious and filling, staff is very amicable Rooms are airconditioned and comfortable Showers and toilets are common but very clean

Nothing!

Totaro is a lovely ryokan with wonderful staff who were more than happy to pick us up at the Ena station, help ship our luggage further up our walking route, and even gave us an umbrella when it was raining on the day we left! The manager Emi spoke good English and is also a great cook, the dinner was very good. We had two ten tatami rooms for the two of us as we were visiting mid-week and had the onsens to ourselves as it was a bit empty. Family mart a 5 min walk away.

There was a very slight cigarette smell in the hallways. It is a 50 year old property and hard to wash that out…. It isn’t really in easy walking distance from the train or the Nakasendo way but they will come and get you from Ena station!

Nice Ryokan in a quiet area. Staff is incredible, nothing else to add.

nice quiet place for staying,it is traditional Japanese style. It is good that is not too many guests, and we have been served special meal in the dinner.

Too old ,hot spring is too small. There is no bath in the room, it is only in the public