Zen Oyado Nishitei

Surprised to see so few recent reviews of this charming ryokan so hopefully this will help someone out. The building is small and slightly cramped with narrow hallows and even narrower staircases, and the wooden floors creek with every step but all of these things (for the most part) add to the experience of staying at a traditional ryokan. Although I would rate the ryokans in Kyoto slightly higher for service, space and overall quality, Zen Oyado is still a great option if you don’t want to go the traditional hotel route. The major inconvenience are the communal restrooms. We had a toilet 6 feet from our room as well as the sinks so that was not a big deal. The shower and bath however are all located downstairs and we had to make the short trek down every day to take a shower. There is a reservation system for the bath (which we didn’t use) and the staff does a great job of cleaning the shower after each use. The room and facilities were well kept and very clean. They do have dinner and breakfast options for additional charge which we turned down. The “manager” of the ryokan was extremely helpful throughout and is the only staff who speaks English (the other minor inconvenience as she is not there all of the time). Also, unlike the other ryokans I have stayed at in Kyoto, it seems they out the sleeping futons rather early. Once we returned from our activities around 4pm and the Mats were already out and out beds waiting. This of course is convenient for a nap but the futons do take up about 90% of the room. Just something to take note of. Location is good and you are very close to the train station and airport. Also plenty of restaurants nearby and drug store/convenience shops if you need something urgent. Overall I enjoyed my time at the ryokan but if I visited Fukuoka again I think I would go with the “conveniences” of a traditional hotel. But this is something to experience once in life, especially if you haven’t visited a ryokan in Kyoto.

This gorgeous ryokan is a little bit out of the way, a very decent walk from Hakata station. Cab it. The building has been stylishly renovated and is a pleasure to be in. I had the smallest room which was plenty big enough for one. Beautifully, clean and a lovely space to be in. All the staff make an enormous effort and make it very easy for guests with no Japanese. The dining rooms are exquisite, making the already special meals a wonderful aesthetic experience. You cannot go wrong.

First I wanted to eat Dinner here, because this hostel is Restaurant. Second I wanted to stay here, because this hostel is old Japanese traditional house. Last two or three years, I tried to reserve but always No vacancy. Dinner French cuisine was so delicious and beautiful, and morning Japanese cuisine too. Room is pretty cute and it's like a grand parent's house at countryside. When I visit Fukuoka, I absolutely stay this hostel again.

We stayed a few days at Zen Oyado Nishitei. This was our first visit to Fukuoka. We flew into Hakata, took the subway to the train station in town, then a bus to the main street nearby. I have been using google maps and following the dots to find my destinations, and while that got us close, I was unsure that the small street the dots were suggesting was the right street. We saw three young fellows and asked for help. They walked us the rest of the way. When we arrived, we mentioned them to the host and she went out to give them a gift of some cookies, but by then they had left. Beautiful flower arrangements and fine ceramics decorate the inn. Our room was one of the smaller 2 person rooms, but it was not too small, as we ate our meals in one or more of several private dining rooms downstairs. There's an extensive wine list, or you can order by the glass. Dinner consisted of 5 or 6 courses, all perfectly cooked and presented. We had steak one night and duck the next. Breakfasts also consist of several courses, all tasty and nicely presented. There's an onsen downstairs, next to a small outdoor garden where I stood to cool off after my soak(s). We were just arriving in Japan from California, still adjusting to the time difference. One day it rained all morning, so we slept in to the sound of the rain on the roof. Another day we spent in the park, which has a lake, museum and a series of islands joined by bridges. The owner drove us down to the park. She also has instructions available for reaching various attractions. One of these showed us a shorter more direct route to Hakata station. Quality has to do with taste, as evidenced by the exquisite design and decoration of this ryokan. It also has to do with attention to detail. Quality is excellent here. When we said goodbye after our short stay, we knew we now have a friend in Fukuoka and a fine place to stay when we return. Five stars well deserved.

We stayed on the 13th of March, and had a truly memorable and authentic Japanese experience. The hospitality of all the staff and the owner of this little ryokan is superb and the house is nestled in a quiet neighborhood in the inner city area. The rooms and bathrooms at this guest house are impeccably prepared, clean, and very comfortable. We had a beautifully prepared degustation for dinner and the following morning an impressive Japanese breakfast. The owner and her staff are all so lovely and kind, we felt welcome from the moment we arrived until the moment we drove off in our taxi. If you have never had a ryokan experience, then this is a great place to start if you can make the journey down to Fukuoka. We would be delighted to return!

I can't recommend this ryokan enough. The service, the rooms, the food... everything was incredible. The rooms are beautiful, simply and tastefully furnished, the shared baths are immaculate (and sharing was not an issue at all), and the public areas well furnished and comfortable. The owner served and explained the items in our traditional Fukuokan breakfast and the front desk attendant arranged Fukuoka Hawks baseball tickets, saving us from having to make a special trip or wait to see if they were available before the game. The ryokan is well located in a neighborhood with a number of small restaurants and bars and is only a few minutes walk from the major avenue with bus routes. If you have a chance to stay here, don't pass it up!