A couple of days ago, I posted a kind comment from a Japanese guest. Today it's English time. Guest I.S.-san from Canada wrote us this comment:
Hi Tyler.
M. and I had hoped to see you before checking out Wednesday morning. We wanted to personally thank you for the wonderful hospitality provided to us at Kamesei this week. We had an unforgettable three days at your inn, and I can honestly say that Kamesei is among the nicest and most "authentic" ryokans I have seen in Japan. We loved our tatami room, the gardens, onsen, dinner, and most of all the quiet, peaceful ambience of Kamesei. We would love to visit again in the future (to see the snow monkeys!!). Thanks again Tyler. All the best to you. I.S.
I.S.-san,
Thank you for your e-mail, and for coming and staying with us at Kamesei Ryokan. I apologize for having to leave early for a meeting and not being able to say good-bye.
I am grateful that you and M.-san enjoyed your stay at our inn. And I appreciate your kind words.
Sometimes I think my fellow ryokan-owners here are forgetting the real purpose of the traditional Japanese ryokan (hence all the Western hotel-style concrete/steel boxes around). As an outsider, I am in a unique position to honor the ryokan's "essence" in my work here at Kamesei. When I read your comments, it made me realize that some Japanese travelers have forgotten the true purpose of staying at ryokan, and could learn from your words.
You and M.-san are most welcome to come and stay with us again. Maybe we could all go to see the snow monkeys together.
Take care, and we wish you the best.
Tyler Lynch
Kamesei Ryokan
