This was my first time in Yanagawa, and I decided to stay at a ryokan where I could enjoy a meal even if I didn't go sightseeing. The ryokan offered a mini eel steamed in a bamboo steamer, which sounded delicious. The room was barrier-free, suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. Although there was no hot spring, there was a bathtub with a view of the garden. Dinner was served in multiple courses in the room, with each dish explained as it was brought in. I got to try unique local dishes like mud loach, which I couldn't tell just by looking at them. The overall seasoning was quite strong. The menu included delicacies like migrating crabs, Yanagawa beef, and shijimi clams, leaving me unsure where to start with the generous portions. For breakfast, we were in a separate room with another couple. The breakfast spread was extensive, and the warm seaweed was a delightful touch. I left feeling very satisfied.

We stopped by for lunch during a bus trip. The service was a bit rough, probably because they cater to tour groups. The black fish was called "Mutsugorou" - my first time trying it. Not very tasty. The specialty dish, eel steamed in a bamboo basket, was okay. The eel was too small to really taste the flavor.

Ten years ago, Kyoko-san, who accompanied me on a business trip, came alone to Yanagawa. It's a nice place, isn't it? Tomorrow, we will go down the river, right? Today, we are relaxing at the "Yanagawa Shirayoshisou," where we had made a reservation. We soaked in the hot spring bath to relieve the day's fatigue and had dinner! The course meal plan [including Yanagawa specialty mini steamed eel] was GOOD! ・Appetizer ⇒ Tris' salad? ・Local eight dishes ⇒ Mutsgorou's grilled eel is delicious. The jellyfish and sea cucumber paste pickle is quite good. ・Sashimi ⇒ The fish is delicious. ・Steamed dish ⇒ Chawanmushi ・Deep-fried dish ⇒ Tempura platter is very delicious. ・Simmered dish ⇒ The simmered tonguefish is good. ・Rice ⇒ The mini steamed eel is incredibly delicious! ・Soup ⇒ The liver soup...sad? No liver ・Dessert ⇒ Seasonal fruit sorbet is delicious. Dinner was fantastic with delicious food and enjoyable conversations with the staff. Thank you very much. Breakfast was also delicious, and I am full. Thank you very much.

We had a delicious lunch during the company trip!

Urgently decided to stay for one more day and chose an inn to visit Wakamatsuya in Yanagawa tomorrow. Unknowingly, the main restaurant at the inn, SUZU, serves steamed eel in a steamer basket. To keep the squid, sea urchin, and scallops that I brought cold for another day, I borrowed the freezer and refrigerator. The inn was dark and I didn't realize that SUZU was closed. I asked where the steamed eel restaurant in Yanagawa was, and the front desk staff recommended a different place. I had breakfast at 8:00, worked, and then headed out. The inn has a nice garden that is lit up at night, perfect for enjoying the atmosphere. It is conveniently located near the Yanagawa river cruises, and they offer tours. The breakfast was amazing with mentaiko and fish. The garden at night was as beautiful as expected, and the classical building was impressive. It turns out SUZU is a restaurant that serves eel steamed in a steamer basket. I had a comfortable night and enjoyed eel cookies.

I stayed at a ryokan during a one-night, two-day business trip to Ogiwara and Yanagawa. Ogiwara has few business hotels, so I decided to stay at a ryokan to enjoy the traditional atmosphere of the town, even though I was a bit hesitant about working on my laptop there. Breakfast was served at a restaurant called "SUZU" next to the front desk. The food was average, but the high ceilings and beautiful garden view created a pleasant atmosphere. The seating was pre-assigned, and when I gave my room number, I was guided to my designated seat. The buffet was a bit chaotic, but that's part of the charm of ryokan breakfasts. The seating arrangement showed attention to detail. Unlike business hotels, the ryokan interior was quite cold, so I recommend wearing Heattech or similar innerwear if you're staying in a tatami room during winter.

I visited this restaurant for lunch on the second day of my bullet train trip through Kyushu last autumn. The upscale exterior and the warm, clean interior create a calming atmosphere. The specialty eel dish is prepared using a unique method of grilling and steaming, which not only eliminates the muddy smell of eel but also brings out its delicious flavor. The finely shredded omelette laid out like a jewel box adds even more richness. The combination of rice and sauce was excellent, and I finished the meal feeling satisfied. Due to the rain, I had to give up on the boat tour in Yanagawa, but just the food alone allowed me to experience the local flavors of the area. (^ . ^)

On a business trip, I stayed at a place with a bath and two meals included for 10,800 yen including tax. The eel steamed in a seiro was as good as a specialty store, with a sweet sauce that soaked into the rice just right, very delicious. When I tried to order additional local specialties from the Ariake Sea, there were hardly any available due to few guests on weekdays, but I ordered a rare delicacy set of three items: Mechaja (Green Shami Sengai, with a photo), Isoginchaku, and sea mushrooms for 800 yen. I think these are flavors that you can only experience locally. The drink prices were reasonable, with a medium bottle of beer for 550 yen. Enjoying a meal while looking at the beautiful garden helped me relax from the fatigue of work.

When I traveled to Yanagawa, I stayed at this inn. I chose this place because the meals offered were full of local specialties from Yanagawa and the Ariake Sea. We had dinner served in our room, and the local dishes were excellent. The meal included specialties such as freshwater crab, sea cucumber, sea squirt, and steamed eel, which are all famous in the region. The steamed eel is a specialty of Yanagawa, while the others are known from the Ariake Sea and can also be found in areas like Tara in Saga. The sea cucumber from the Ariake Sea, which is said to be non-toxic, was quite a rare delicacy. It had a texture that made me think, "Is this a shellfish?" without realizing it was sea cucumber. With so many specialties available, I didn't feel the need to have eel for lunch the next day, so I enjoyed a Yanagawa hot pot and experienced almost all the local delicacies. Breakfast was simple and ordinary, but it still had a local touch with dishes like simmered vegetables and pickled greens. The inn is conveniently located right next to the boarding area for river cruises. Although I didn't actually go on a cruise, the view from the river provided a unique and charming perspective that can't be seen from a car. Thank you for your hospitality.