Ryokan Ayunosato - Hitoyoshi

With regard to vegan-friendly plants, this is a perfect place to rely on travels in South Kumamoto (Kyushu). There is clearly an incredible attention to detail in the planning of a thorough plant-based menu... Both in Western style and Japanese style options are available, but I have selected the menu in Japanese style (photos attached). Optional yoga courses are available in the morning, where you can have a fantastic view of the river Kuma, castle ruins and sunrise, followed by a vegan breakfast course (both western and Japanese options are also available here). Hot springs are also in the whole area, and the hotel even has a shrine dedicated to the gods of hot springs in front of the hotel, next to an ashi-yu (foot bath... I was pampered for choice with a private balcony bathroom with a river view in my room, but also access to a larger public bathroom. After dinner, I definitely recommend making a trip to the bar to taste some local cocktails. The perfect nightcap is a cuddly drink, but there is also a shochu-based green tea aroma cocktail I also recommend! A local Shochu-Brewer with history back to the Edo period (14 generations!

Excellent and warm hospitality Ryokan Style Hotel, where could be one of the best experiences during my stay in Kyushu.

It was my first time, vegan course meals in a Japanese style hotel “ryokan” and the second time to stay in the ryokan Ayu-no-Sato. There are two versions of vegan course meal: European and Japanese. So I chose Europeans. My previous stay I had the normal course, but the portions were too big for me, so I could enjoy food except for the last three dishes I left. As a big fan of hot springs and ryokan I traveled for many places around Kyushu. Usually ryokan dinner course offer you a choice between two: meat meal and fish meal. So you can only enjoy local food on the first part of a meal course (zensai). I'm not fully vegan, but prefer vegetables about eating meat and fish. So I really enjoyed the taste of dishes from the beginning to the end of the vegan menu in Ayu-no-Sato. And parts were quite enough for me, I even want to try the addition course. Dessert reminded me of my home Russia: it was made from the red beet. I think it shows the level of global knowledge of the boss. Morning yoga on the terrace, cure hot spring “on” and vegan course meal. Spirit (cocooro), head and stomach. This is all you need to recharge your inner energy. Not less.

Ayu-no-Sato is a Japanese style ryokan (hotel/inn) along Kuma River in the city Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, Japan. While not a large hotel, this compact property radiates ample charm and sophistication. Some rooms are equipped with a private, warm spring outdoors on the balcony overlooking the river Kuma. The Japanese furnishings are elegant and consistent, with much attention to minutes details. Vegan course meals are available both for dinner and for breakfast, and they are carefully prepared with high-quality ingredients, most of which come on site and are served continental, not the easy-take-whatever-vegan-items-you-can-eat buffet option in most other accommodations. We highly recommend this hotel if you want to experience good quality Japanese style ryokan.

This was my first time trying vegan meals at a Japanese-style hotel known as a "ryokan" and my second stay at the Ayu-no-Sato ryokan. They offer two versions of vegan courses, European and Japanese, and I chose the European option. During my previous stay, I had the regular course but found the portions to be too large, leaving the last three dishes uneaten. As a fan of hot springs and ryokans, I have traveled to many places around Kyushu. Typically, ryokan dinners offer a choice between meat or fish meals, limiting the local food experience to just the first part of the meal course (zensai). Although I am not strictly vegan, I prefer sweet foods over meat and fish. I thoroughly enjoyed the vegan menu at Ayu-no-Sato, with each dish tasting delicious from start to finish. The portions were just right for me, and I even considered trying the additional course. The dessert reminded me of my home in Russia, made with red ingredients, showcasing the chef's global knowledge. Starting the day with morning yoga on the terrace, followed by a dip in the hot spring "onen" and a vegan course meal at Ayu-no-Sato, rejuvenated my spirit, mind, and body. It was the perfect recharge for my inner energy - exactly what I needed.