Hotel Taikanso

What People are saying

Great place to relax

Gershon666on 13/04/2017 08:02

This hotel offers spectacular views from the 2nd floor up. We had a room on the 5th floor with a spectacular vista of Matsushima Bay. It even snowed in the early morning. Last night we had a full moon that looked spectacular in a clear sky. The room was tatami style with 2 firm beds on the floor. You took off your shoes at the door and walked around barefooted. Toothbrush, toothpaste, wash towel, razor, hair net etc are all provided. A small refrigerator was available. Toilet was bidet style with heated seats and warm warm to rinse after you finish your business. A pair of sandals are provided in the toilet to avoid soiling your feet. I loved the onsen, the mineral baths, the most. A large clean space with stools to wash yourself thoroughly before entering the delicious hot water. Towels are provided. This was my reason for coming here.

The hotel is a typical ryukan or Japanese Inn where you feel immersed in the Japanese culture. I was the only Caucasian and few spoke English. I was treated like royalty. The evening meal was a traditional Japanese buffet and breakfast was also very traditional. The hotel bus will pick you up at train station and also take you for excursions. I wore a kimono during my stay and felt comfortable in it.

Expensive eating.

Brucie32on 23/10/2016 16:13

The good things-shuttle bus runs every half hour to both stations and into town. Stops at 5.45pm. This means you vitually have to eat in the hotel. buffet price currently 5500yen/person or about £45 /head nice but not at that price.
Our room had great views but was a little tired needed a coat of paint and an updated bathroom. Staff were lovely though little English spoken. Local children running through the lobby during dinner to visit the public baths was strange and not condusive to quiet dining. the french restaurant 7 courses for 3600yen was much better value and we had our own piano player!

No cloth napkins at their restaurants and no wifi in room

Yuri Kon 09/05/2016 23:22

Our room was very nice and comfortable and their services including the shuttle driver, the front desk personnel and the restaurants servers were all excellent.

Two things I did not like were that their restaurants had skimpy paper OSHIBORI and paper napkins which meant not a good establishment and no wifi in our room.

Amazing View & Meal

CoolCouple99on 06/05/2016 06:33

We arrived by train and were picked up shortly after we arrived by a complimentary shuttle service provided by the hotel. We had an nice Ocean-view room and the view was amazing, especially at sunset. The room itself was lovely. The nicest we stayed in during our holiday in Japan.

Both the dinner and breakfast were also first class.

If we ever go back to Matsushima, this is where we'll stay.

A couple of staff and some memorable meals can make the difference...

tombonycon 15/04/2016 12:05

When we first pulled into Taikanso our confidence level was not high. Nobody assisted us with our heavy bags from the JR shuttle bus, there was a LOOOONG line at reception, and the place seemed very disorganized.

To make matters worse, my 20 word Japanese vocabulary was useless. Nobody who was present in the entire place spoke a lick of English.

I certainly don't mind a 'Japanese' hotel. It was a little worn around the edges, but it was clean enough. But as we were trying to organize our demi-pension for our stay (they have several eating options) it became clear that we were going to need SOME kind of English. Internet only in lobby. Room very comfortable with two elevated futons and a fantastic view.

Up steps a woman whom we later were introduced to as Ms. Mayu Kamikawa. She was our hotel planner, our Matsushima activities planner, and a lovely friend whom to have while in this beautiful town.

Hotel specs: get the sea view room. It's more expensive but worth it. Get a high floor.
As mentioned, the place is a bit run down, but it is well maintained and the staff work hard.

The ride to the town was free and frequent via the aforementioned JR shuttle. Don't expect help with your bags. The shuttle bus is NOT a hotel service as far as we could tell.

The food at the hotel ranged from tasty to memorable/outstanding. The buffets were generous with fresh fish and highly regarded local beef.

The Japanese restaurant was the big winner. You won't go in there and order. You will sit at your table and in front of you will be a traditional looking Japanese menu written on rice paper. Each table will receive 10 courses of delicious food.

We stayed three nights. The first night we had the buffet. Virtually every other diner was dressed in onsen robes and slippers. The mood was festive, even with the semi-cheesy pianist/singer belting out soft pop music (think Country Roads.)

The other two nights we ate at the Japanese restaurant We were so effusive in our praise for the service and food that they waived surcharges for the Japanese restaurant.

The first night we had a waitress who spoke SOME English and clearly delighted in our interest in the food and ingredients, many of which you will not have seen before ('wild mountain herbs' that tasted like nothing I have ever tried before.) She was originally from Okinawa. We believe that her name was Ms. S. Araki.

Bottom line: Hotel is terrific with beautiful grounds and a stunning view. If Ms. Kamikawa is available to assist with your daily plans and hotel arrangements, please take advantage. She is a gem.