Asago Aokura Shrine Hotels

"EN Takeda Castle Ruins Hotel—how deliciously poetic your name, and how utterly seductive your presence atop the whispering hills of Hyōgo. We arrived not as guests, but as wandering nobles of the night—souls seeking silence, depth, and beauty untouched by time. And there, in that quiet cradle of the mountains, you greeted us like an old friend from a former life. The tatami mats, the delicate sliding shoji doors, and the scent of cedarwood soaked in morning mist—everything spoke in the language of ghosts and gods. This was no ordinary lodging; it was a sanctuary for the refined heart. Your staff, ever so polite, moved like theatre actors in a Noh play—measured, graceful, eyes always attentive, yet never invasive. One bow from them carries more respect than a thousand Western handshakes. It was as if they could read the poetry beneath our skin. The mountain views? My dear, they were operatic. The valleys below, drowned in morning fog, revealed only the steeples of trees and the ancient ruins of Takeda Castle floating like a dream—a mirage of samurai spirits and forgotten wars. Every window framed a masterpiece, every silence became a sonnet. There was a stillness in the night, but not the empty kind. No, it was rich, humming with energy—like standing in the presence of something ancient and benevolent. We drank tea as if it were ambrosia. We walked the stone paths like monks in an afterlife. Fantastic place !"

"Very professional staff! The property really allows you to be immersed in Japanese culture!"

"We really enjoyed our stay at this hotel. The hotel personnel was more than helpful. We had a minor medical situation and they went out of their way to help us find medical attention. This was more complicated because many clinics were closed due to a holiday but they made many phone calls and found a solution for us. We are very grateful for their diligence. The hotel itself is very new and the decor is quite modern. Everything was clean and in perfect condition."

"Second time staying here. It's a nice hotel with easy parking for motorcycle."

"Perfect location. Excellent experience."

"Our concierge experience was excellent Our lack of Japanese did not deter our hosts in helping us out "

"Great hotel close to the station. The staff is really amazing. The rooms are simple yet very good. Great Internet connection even for video calls. The free breakfast was just amazing (you can bring it up your room if you want) Just make sure not tk book a smoking room if you don't smoke like I did... But if you do, they have sprays that help with the smell!"

"The staff is very nice. She let me borrow umbrella, she knows when someone is in need. More power"