Hotel Oki

This time, my hotel choice in Oki was based on its proximity to the ferry terminal. So, even though it's Nishinoshima, I chose this one, which is close to Beppu Port. It was also very convenient, as the rental car office I had reserved was next door. It felt more like a traditional inn than a hotel, but perhaps it had been renovated. The room itself was nicer than I'd imagined from the outside. Perhaps this led to the entire building being non-smoking. (When I booked through the travel agency, it was designated a smoking room.) There's a smoking area just outside the entrance, but it's uncovered, so you'll need an umbrella if it rains. There's no one at the check-in desk, but they'll respond when you open the door, so they'll eventually come out. Since they're understaffed, I imagine they're often the only person doing it, so be patient and don't get annoyed. After checking in, I received a 720ml bottle of local sake and rice for two as souvenirs. It was appreciated, but it suddenly became too heavy for my luggage during my trip. The return high-speed ferry, the Rainbow Jet, has a carry-on bag weight limit, so I carried my alcohol in a paper bag. There's a public space like a reception room in the hallway, where newspapers are available. There was a vending machine and beer available. My room, located on the second floor overlooking the ferry terminal, was six tatami mats in size and had a traditional inn layout with a table and chairs outside. However, since the road was directly in front of me, I was completely visible from the outside, so I kept the curtains closed most of the time. There was no safe. The walls were thin, so loud voices were easily audible. Also, be careful of banging, as it could be heard in the room below. The bathroom and toilet were on par with those in a business hotel. It was located one step up, and since it was too hot with the door closed, I left it open when not in use. It had been a while since I'd stayed without a washlet, but I guess it couldn't be turned on because there was no outlet. There was a refrigerator in the hallway in front of the bathroom, and it was filled with cold water. The water heater was located above the refrigerator. For dinner and breakfast, I could access the dining room next door via an internal corridor. There were also local customers eating there. The hostess was friendly and helpful. The portions were delicious and not too large, including what was probably locally sourced sashimi (and squid, of course), rock oysters, tofu and yellowtail hotpot, grilled turban shells, mozuku seaweed, and hassun (a variety of appetizers). Breakfast was also delicious, but the rice was served in a rice cooker for each person, and I knew from the start that I wouldn't be able to finish it all, so I got some plastic wrap and made rice balls to take with me for lunch. This time I booked a two-meal plan, which was 8,800 yen more expensive than the room-only option, which is understandable considering the quality of the food, but the price of the room-only option itself felt a little high, as it was an island price, considering the quality of the accommodation. (By the way, when I searched, a nearby guesthouse was about 3,000 yen more expensive.)

Located right in front of Beppu Port, this traditional inn has a dated exterior, but the interior isn't too bad. You can see the port from the veranda. I was able to gaze at the ferries as they arrived and departed while sipping my drink. It was a wonderful experience. It looks like there should be a large public bath, but there's only a unit bath. Also, the toilets aren't heated. There's a restaurant attached to the inn, and if you book dinner you can eat there. It also seems possible to book dinner on the day. I stayed without meals this time, but it seems to have a pretty good reputation, so I recommend booking with meals included.