Kaji Synergy Restaurant (カジ シナジー レストラン) Takeo

This must be one of the most beautiful ryokans in all of Japan. Set below an impressive rock face in the middle of a huge garden with hundreds of blooming azaleas, the rooms are very private and have all their private onsen. Even though the ryokan was fairly full, in three days I have not encountered any other guest.
The food is changing every night and is impressively good. Certainly not a top Kaiseki meal but good enough to enjoy it three nights in a row. The breakfast however is certainly world class.
It features arguably the best outdoor bar ever! The bar has six tables overlooking the pond which is lit at night. The bar keeper has an impressive list of liquors but his speciality is gin. He serves it straight up but dilutes each gin to a certain alcohol level to bring out the best of the spice mixture. My favourite was the Monkey 47 diluted down to 19%. Unbelievable, only a Japanese mind can come up with something like this.
Highly recommended for a relaxing time. Less