Kappo and Ryokan Yachiyo

I had a wonderful dining experience at Matsusaka few days ago. It was a really special experience. I went around Ise-Shima and Matsusaka in Mie Prefecture in mid-February. Of course Ise-Shima was very beautiful. There are many small islands, most of which are fishermen's islands. Since it was seaweed fishing season, all the fishermen started fishing for seaweed in colorful costumes. It was photogenic and fun! Ise Jingu was also great! If you like Japanese culture, you should go next to Kyoto when you come to Japan. Ise-Shima is a good place for Japanese food and Japanese culture lovers. It is a unique place where you can feel the scent of ancient Japanese culture at Ise Jingu and taste seafood such as abalone and Ise Ebi(spiny lobster) at Ise-Shima. If you come from October to April, you can eat fresh Ise Ebi(spiny lobster), but even if you come in other seasons, you can eat Ise Ebi(spiny lobster) in a fish tank. After enjoying Ise Shima and Ise Jingu, head to Matsusaka. Matsusaka is synonymous with Matsusaka beef. Kobe beef is very famous among foreigners, but Matsusaka beef is more than Kobe beef. I chose Yachiyo Ryokan to finish my trip with Matsusaka beef kaiseki cuisine. Because I want to enjoy Matsusaka beef kaiseki cuisine, and want to stay after kaiseki. Yes, Yachiyo Ryokan has 7 guest rooms. Some restaurants offer beef kaiseki cuisine, but there are no rooms for overnight stays. Yachiyo has a lot of delicious sake, and there are also many rare wines such as Marseille and Alsace that go well with kaiseki cuisine. We enjoyed a banquet with sparkling wine from Alsace and red wine from a winery near Marseille. The appetizers are excellent tastes like a gem. It was lovely. Not only sashimi but also plenty of Ise Ebi(spiny lobster)! So sweet and springy! After sashimi, they served Matsusaka beef dishes. Stewed Matsusaka beef, chateaubriand, beef roll salad, Japanese-style roast beef, beef pot (sukiyaki style). Wow! Very sweet and melting texture! I couldn’t stop eating chopsticks! I have never experienced anything like this outside of Yachiyo Ryokan. A truly special experience! If you like Kobe beef, must try Yachiyo's Matsusaka beef Kaiseki. The mention of Yachiyo Ryokan is as follows. Yachiyo is a registered tangible cultural property of the country, which was built in the late Meiji period and renovated in the early Showa period based on the private residence of Ozu Ozuichi, a wealthy merchant in Matsuzaka along with Mitsui and Hasegawa. All the tatami rooms are purely Japanese-style with shoji screens, fusuma sliding doors, wooden doors, and mud walls. It is a space where you can feel nostalgia and comfort.

一度食事のみ体験した所に、念願かなって一泊することになった。松阪牛と言えば日本を代表する牛肉の本場松阪の割烹旅館では、どんな料理が出て来るかとワクワクして行ったが、遥々出かけた甲斐があったと大満足した。松阪牛を色々な料理で味わうことが出来るコースで、どれもこれも実に美味しかった。又、2杯のグラスワインも量が多く、最期の料理の蒸し肉は食べきれずに残してしまい、今だに悔いが残ると同行した友と話題になっている。建物は古いがメンテナンスも行き届き、風情が有って中々良かったし、お風呂もタオルも宿の心遣いが伝わり、申し分ない一夜で、機会が有れば再訪したい宿だった。(朝食無しタイプ)