We stayed at a variety of accommodation business hotels, minshuku and many outstanding & famous ryokan in Japan before arriving at Horai. Forget about 'the sounds of silence and the lapping of waves' that they try and entice you with, the ryokan is located off a noisy road and the sounds of loud music -enka & rock, as well as the usual city sounds (construction work, etc) wafted up to our room most of the time. The welcome was promising, the room OK even if it was located in something resembling a rabbit warren (I got lost returning from the bath.) The hot water didn't work, the toilet smelt and the bathroom was mouldy. The lights in our room didn't work properly either!
The famous big bath was not as impressive as I imagined (it's indoors & you must open the windows for the view) and it's quite far from the main building. The stairs steep & exhausting if you are not fit, or unsteady on your feet.
The food was underwhelming -not kaiseki, more home style food; quite a plain meal. The staff clattered about noisily and forgot to bring dishes or essentials like chopsticks so we could start our meal! It just doesn't deserve it's famous reputation. Sure the Okami penned some calligraphy on our placemat but the doesn't make up for everything else. Service & facilties were not on a par with other ryokan or minshuku we stayed at. I was bitterly dissapointed - even angered somewhat. Save your money for other more deserved ryokan.

Horai has a reputation as one of the top ryokan (Japanese style inns) in Japan. Apparently Horai opened its doors originally in 1859. The prices are very high but you get an experience approaching art. Indeed
the place mats at dinner are drawings, each one unique, sketched by the owner. We had a very large room on the top floor in the corner. Three rooms and a large enclosed veranda with chairs for sitting. The sounds of the breaking waves below are very relaxing. This ryokan defines peaceful. I only saw a couple of other guests when I went down
to the baths. The path down to the lower bath is long (and the stairs back steep) but the experience is something very "Japanese" and not to
be forgotten. The staff were of course very attentive and kind. The dinner and breakfast were both excellent. If you can afford it stay here once for an overnight escape from Tokyo.