2014 summer, YoYokaku, Karatsu (洋々閣 唐津), Saga, Japan

The luxuary guest hous of Karatsu. The people in Karatsu call the Geihinnkan(迎賓館 State Guest House) of Karatsu

 

This Ryotei-Ryokan is located at the beachside of the Genkai nada (玄界灘). The Ryotei Ryokan(料亭旅館) is the combination of the luxury dinning facility and accommodation as "Auberge" in France. This Ryokan is one of the most luxury accommodation in the Kyushu area and serving the Seasonal seafood Japanese food. The Genkai-nada sea is connecting to the Sea of Japan and very nice fishery.

The islands of Japan is floating (Japanese like this impression) among the Pacific ocean. the Sea of Japan, East China sea and the sea of Okhotsk. There are two warn currents and two cold currents around the islands; Kuroshio Current(Japan current) and Tsushima current from South and Oyashio current(Okhotsk current) and Liman current from North. These currents and Seas are producing various and delicious seafood by season and season.

This Ryokan was established one hundred years ago. The building was made of woods and as the Japanese traditional styles. The brown polished floor and black Kawara (瓦) roof made the Japanese beautiful contrast in this building. The wood cool floor is very comfortable for bare feet in the summer. Once looking out from the corridor, you will get the Japanese garden with pine tree.

Our visiting was Last July. Whenever we visit this Ryokan, the staff serve as their family and with Local style service.

On our arrival, the entrance was cool and little bit dark space. The staff had sprinkled water on the floor for cooling the air. Wet and dark grey floor was faintly shinning. The floor from upper frame member to corridor was waxed brown wood. The Okamisan (chef hostess of the Ryokan, 女将さん) appeared to see and introduce themselves and the facilities of the accommodation.

The room is two or one bed/dining room(s) and Japanese traditional style with Bath room and laboratory. The room is use for sleeping and dining as the Japanese traditional home style. The staff come to prepare your Futon instead of the bed after your dinner. The Futon on Tatami is Japanese soul style for sleeping. There are public bath rooms for ladies and gentlemen. Several rooms have the nice view of the lovely Japanese garden.

The Kue (Longtooth grouper) is served in Winter and Okoze (Stone fish) or Tai (Sea bream) are in Spring to Summer. The special course will be served the different cooking style with using same Fish.

We selected the Okoze course. The Usudukuri was cooked with Okoze. Okoze is white and clear meat fish. All courses were served as the seafood course, but you will arrange the course by your request before your arrival. All course will be very nice. Unfortunately I have little photo data so I cannot remember the menu. But I can remember the seashore like smells and sweet seafood taste with fireworks sounds. The Usudukiri of Okoze and Sashimi of Japanese spiny lobster were great.

I have the other articles on the another visiting: dinner and accommodation .

All dishes are came from the Ryuta-kiln, Karatsu-yaki ceramics. The Karatsu-yaki was established on the end of sixteenth century. The Korean potters come from the Korean peninsula and developed the Japanese Wabi-Sabi and Cha-do cosmos wears. The Karatsu ceramics are famous as the three major tea bowl producer in the ceremonial tea.

There are five major styles in Karatsu-yaki; E-Karatsu(絵唐津), Chosen-Karatsu(朝鮮唐津), Madara-Karatsu(斑唐津), Kobiki-Karatsu(粉引唐津) and Mishima-Karatsu(三島唐津). E-Karatsu was natural design painted with iron, dark brown ink. Chosen-Karatsu was design of the contrast of white and black as the landscape. Madara-Karatsu was white coating on the right brown ceramics, enjoying the failing white coating design. Kobiki-Karatsu was right yellow white coating with rough face. Mishima-Karatsu was the design embossed small flowers or crane shape. The Karatsu-yaki ceramics are generally simple and unsophisticated but make the atmosphere like small cosmos.

The Ryuta kiln is located in the country side in Karatsu city, at the small valley with Small River. The galleries are built like the cottage and wind-blowed through with green smells. We felt the nature by our nose, eyes, skins and ears. As the classical Karatsu-yaki, they produce the traditional process and motif-ed ceramics. The coating, drawing, shape, pleasant texture or weight of the Ryuta kiln products are natural and passionate.

The breakfast was also lovely, with the beautiful view of the garden. A bowl of rice. Miso-soup, pickles and broiled fish are known as the traditional home style breakfast. The broiled fish was light dried and Mirin tasted horse mackerel, one of my favourite cook style.

This Ryotei-Ryokan can handle many languages, as English, Korean or French. The only Ryotei-Ryokan which I know can serve the foreigner stress free.
The madam of this Ryokan, Okami, can speak English very frequently. She will serve from her heart with the heart of Kyushu.

www.yoyokaku.com/