During our 2-week vacation, we stayed at two ryokans (traditional inn). The first is Yakakutei 野鶴亭 (wild crane pavilion) located in Kirishima霧島 (literally, fog island) in southern Kyushu. Half-board is usually the only option for staying at a ryokan and we were happy to indulge ourselves.

And indulged we did. Every night was a kaiseki-ish feast. Not only we ate what was set on the table, we were served a few more additional dishes, typically ending with a rice and miso soup. By that time, we could barely get up from the floor.

On the right is a little stove for making shabu-shabu or nabe.

Another elaborate meal.

There were 11 courses one night. Below are the dishes presented at a casual kaiseki.

We will not bother to translate the menu which was printed onto gold-flecked paper.

These three dishes were brought on the same tray made of woven bamboo and a wooden frame.

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Two plates of fishes – this one being quite sour …

… and sashimi

There was chawanmushi.

Tasty stewed meat dish but we cannot describe what the flavor was.

 Grilled fish – yakimono (焼物) – pretty plate !

Something crunchy

Personal shabu-shabu – a shiizakana (強肴)

… started by cooking the shimeji fungi

Salad ?  Su-zakana (酢肴)

There were barely-cooked tuna hidden underneath the vegetables.

Finished with mouchi and fruits. Mizumono (水物)

The snacks and meals we had were the highlights of our trip. More posts about food to come.