Hot Springs Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

After a long trip along the Kumano Kudo, this place is just exactly what I was looking for: clean, queit and private, mixing a Japanese style with modern services. I must say I didn't expect such exquisite dinners set and breakfast sets at the stage of booking. Every plate is delicated and well prepared. Staff are extremely friendly and especially the Japanese young lady who speaks perfect English at the restaurant, talking with her is a delight and I can see she is dedicated to helping the guests to learn about the Japanese cuisine. I had a great stay here, sleeping with soft sounds of waves and waking up with the breeeze of sea wind, perfect vacation. 100% recommended.

I've tried both of the onsen hotels in Nachi that require a ferry to access, Urashima and Nakanoshima, and I highly recommend Nakanoshima. Everything from the hotel environment to the dinner and breakfast was excellent, especially the kaiseki dinner, which left a very deep impression on my trip to Kyoto. The picture shows the menu translated by my phone, and I must specifically mention the wagyu beef – it was absolutely delicious!!! The waitstaff even gave us an extra plate when they saw how much we enjoyed it, which was a great touch! Also, if you're going to use the onsen, you absolutely must try the outdoor one. Relaxing comfortably while looking out at the sea – now that's a vacation!

I've been wanting to visit Shirahama for almost 10 years, so I picked this onsen resort, rumored to be among Asia's top 11. For Japanese onsen hotels, all-inclusive is a must! However, my overall experience was just so-so, probably because I've stayed at so many Japanese onsen hotels before. It definitely boasts an unbeatable sea view; I booked a garden view room, and when I tried to upgrade to a sea view at check-in, the front desk attendant said none were available. Yet, when I entered my room, I could still see the ocean! The sea view here isn't as breathtaking as in Izu. From Shirahama Station, there's no shuttle, so we had to take a taxi, which was about 2500 yen. The most impressive part of the hot springs here is the co-ed open-air ocean view bath – the scenery is truly incredible! The food was only decent, incomparable to what we experienced at Kusatsu Onsen, Yamato no Sato in Izu, Lake Kawaguchiko at Mount Fuji, or even Gero Onsen. The staff weren't particularly enthusiastic either. There were a lot of Chinese tourists, some from Hong Kong and Macau, but very few Japanese tourists, mostly elderly ones. This onsen hotel seems to be a popular spot hyped up by Chinese travelers! If you're only visiting Kansai, Shirahama is definitely worth a trip. But if you're going to other parts of Japan, it might not be worth making a special journey for.

The hotel is situated at a secluded corner of Wakayama prefecture. It is much preferable to drive here rather than relying on the infrequent hotel shuttle. Public transport is otherwise non existent. There are no restaurants around the hotel. However the hotel provides delicious meals with abundant fresh seafood. The in room dining experience is superb. The hotel staff service is impeccable. The room has a spectacular sea view allowing you to see the sunset on clear days. The onsen also faces the sea which provides a relaxing experience. A downside is that the hotel does not seem to sanitize the slippers for indoor use. All hotel guests had to change to their slippers to access their indoor facilities.

This hotel was our chosen endpoint after hiking the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi trail. We stayed at the Sankan building, and honestly, five onsen pools weren't nearly enough time to try them all! My favorite was definitely the Bokaido. It was rainy the day we checked in, so we missed the sunset, but the next day cleared up perfectly for a beautiful sunrise. We also took a stroll through Noroshiyama Park, which was really pleasant. However, both the buffet breakfast and dinner at Sankan were pretty mediocre, with not much variety. Getting on and off the island was a bit inconvenient due to the limited schedule of the 'Turtle Boat'. We were essentially tied to the hotel's half-board plan. After checking out at 10 AM, there were so many people queuing that we missed the last Turtle Boat. We ended up taking a shuttle bus for about 10 minutes to the parking lot, but then had to walk for about 20 minutes, taking a long detour, to finally reach the Ura Island pier. If you're traveling with kids, make sure to carefully check the shuttle boat schedule and plan your departure from the island accordingly!

We had a lovely stay at this hotel. Checking was fast and easy. They have a lovely Indoor & outdoor Onsen in their hotel. Probiotic Yacult drinks and a variety of ice cream are free to consume at different timing.  The complimentary Ramen from 9:30pm to 11pm is a real treat with bamboo shoot and a quarter of Japanese egg, the clear broth is not too salty but flavourful. The breakfast spread is good with both Japanese and western dishes. Definitely a good stay for this area. Highly recommended.

I was very satisfied with this hotel. The front desk staff's English wasn't great, but communication was no problem. They were very attentive in explaining the onsen opening hours and even helped me book a two-day bus trip from the hotel to Kii-Katsuura JR station. The hotel lobby provides yukatas (light cotton robes) in different styles and sizes; outer garments and obi (sashes) are in your room. The moment I opened the door, it felt wonderful. This time I booked a traditional tatami room with a bathroom, facing the sea, on a high floor. The view was fantastic. Remarkably, the tatami room had no unpleasant odors. There are two onsen: one outdoor and one indoor (but there's also an outdoor onsen). Soaking in it once a day was very comfortable. During the Spring Festival, it wasn't crowded; tourists and locals were about equal. I booked a one-night, two-meal package. The front desk lets you choose your dining time. My first dinner was scheduled for 8 pm, but when I arrived, they didn't check, and there weren't many people dining. The food was just average, nothing particularly amazing.

Although the hotel is relatively old, it is still a pleasant surprise overall. The room is very good, the beach is just outside, the price/performance ratio is very high, and the overall travel accommodation experience is very good.

We absolutely cannot contain our elation when recalling our recent stay at this remarkable hotel. From the moment we stepped into the elevator adorned with personalized name cards, my husband and I were enveloped in the warm embrace of hospitality. The attention to detail and the genuine kindness of the staff made us feel like VIP guests. They also thoughtfully provided a bucket for us to indulge in the glowing enchantment of firecrackers and even tidied the mess up afterwards. But the best memory of our stay here was definitely the culinary experience given by the chef extraordinaire — Master Chef Matsuki. His creations were nothing short of a gastronomic revelation. Each dish was a testament to his unwavering dedication and profound respect for the ingredients. Oh, the flavors — titillating all our taste buds in every bite. And the generosity of Chef Matsuki in sharing his culinary wisdom, guiding us on how to savor each morsel, elevated the entire dining experience to sheer perfection. The language barrier was no obstacle to the remarkable team of staff members who graced us with their presence. Their command of the English language was commendable, and even those who were not entirely fluent went above and beyond to cater to our every whim and need. Their genuine desire to assist us was palpable, leaving us feeling truly valued and cared for. I am already making plans to return with my beloved family, as I know they too deserve to bask in the unparalleled warmth and luxury that this establishment exudes. This hotel has set the bar impossibly high, redefining the meaning of hospitality and creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. So if you seek a hotel experience that transcends mere accommodation and transforms into a symphony of opulence, impeccable service, and culinary artistry, then look no further. This is the epitome of hospitality, a sanctuary where dreams come true, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who craves an unforgettable journey of indulgence and delight.

The hotel is conveniently located right by a bus stop. The onsen hotel offers a great variety of food. The dinner buffet included sashimi, and breakfast featured local specialties. The Japanese-style tatami beds were very comfortable. A pleasant surprise was the complimentary drinks bar, perfect for enjoying after a relaxing bath.