Nationwide × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan - 82Page Number

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. There was only one reason I came to Shirahama: To stay at Kuroshio Sou. When people think of Shirahama, many picture the sea and resorts. But what I found here was Wakayama itself. What moved me most at this Accommodation was not only how outstanding the food was. It was Head Chef Etani’s exceptional skill, and his deep respect for the producers who support every single dish. Fishermen. Farmers. Brewers. Roasters. And the artisans who continue to protect Japan’s fermentation culture. The moment I saw the map of producers introduced alongside the meal, I understood what this Accommodation truly values. Through the cuisine, you encounter not only ingredients, but also the people behind them and Wakayama’s climate and character. I was especially impressed by how delicious the soy sauce and Kinzanji miso were at dinner. When I asked about them, I learned they were from Horigawaya Nomura—a producer with over 350 years of history that still preserves traditional craftsmanship using firewood-heated iron kettles—making both their soy sauce and Kinzanji miso in that way today as well. I had originally planned to visit a different soy sauce brewery, but heavy rain made it impossible. Sometimes, the places you cannot reach end up guiding you to the story you were truly meant to find. For me, Kuroshio Sou was exactly that kind of place. The wonderful Onsen gently healed not only my body, but my mind as well. The quiet comfort throughout the building, Chef Etani’s cuisine, and the hospitality of all staff— together they quietly express this Accommodation’s philosophy in everything it does。 As a former chef from Tasmania, there is something I felt deeply: True hospitality is not just serving delicious food; it is helping guests connect with the people and culture that sustain a place。 I now have one more reason to return to Wakayama。 Thank you again from my heart.

As always, the meals were delicious, and the Onsen was gentle on the body with a perfect temperature. It was also my first time dining in a second-floor private dining Room, and the open atrium made it easy to appreciate the main building’s traditional architecture. However, this time the meal service was a bit disappointing: tea didn’t come unless we asked for it, and the explanations of the dishes were hard to follow. I understand they may still be inexperienced, but for an Accommodation that values its cuisine, I hope more care will be taken in how guests are attended to during meals. That said, it’s still an Accommodation I would definitely like to visit again.

I’ve stayed here many times, and it’s always a clean, easy-to-use Hotel. The moment I arrived at my Room, I couldn’t help saying out loud, “Dormy Inn really is great,” and felt relieved. My friend who came with me felt the same way. There are so many good points: how practical the Room is, the spacious desk and sink area, the brightness, the large public bath Onsen, having all the necessary amenities, and breakfast with a wide variety of delicious options served in small dishes that are easy to pick up. The only disappointing thing this time was that the coffee didn’t taste good. Also, the door to the women’s public bath was left open. I would appreciate it if you could improve these two points. Thank you very much.

My one-year-old son and I stayed for three nights. The staff were very kind—thank you so much for bringing a chair at breakfast and clearing our tray. We had a wonderful stay. When my son fell, you promptly brought ice and a bandage. There is also a large public bath on the first floor, and the Room was clean, quiet, and comfortable, so we slept well. We would love to stay again.

Since I arrived by train, the direct connection to the station was perfect. I could also see the Onomichi sea from the Room and had a wonderful time. The high ceiling made the Room feel more spacious than it actually was. The Room only had a shower, which was a downside, but overall it was a very good stay. I left relatively early the next day as well, and since it is directly connected to the Hotel, it was very convenient.

The location is very convenient from the station, and the front desk staff were courteous, making check-in and check-out smooth. After checkout, there are lockers by the entrance where you can store and retrieve your luggage without needing to speak with the front desk, which is especially stress-free when you’re in a hurry. The welcome sweets and coffee were also delicious.

The staff were very kind and helpful, both when I called with questions and when I arrived late. The Room was spacious and comfortable, and it was great that the bath and toilet were separate. I thought it would be nice to have a chair in the washing area of the bathroom. There was a roadside station nearby, and a 7-Eleven right next door, which was very convenient. The Room photos on the website showed a round table and two chairs, but the Room I was shown had only one chair and no table, which was inconvenient. However, when I spoke to the front desk the next day, they didn’t have a table but they lent me an additional chair, which really helped. Thanks to that, I was able to relax and enjoy my stay. Thank you very much.

It was good value for the price. I would like towels to be available in the large public bath.

Staying in the detached room allowed us to relax without worrying too much about our dog’s barking disturbing others. We also finished all of our meals—they were delicious. We are also grateful to the staff for their sincere support during a late-night incident.

The location right in front of the station was very convenient, especially for leaving our luggage. Although it was listed as a Room with some issues, we did not notice any odor, and it was spacious and comfortable. The staff were pleasant and welcoming, and we had an enjoyable stay. Thank you very much.

It’s basically a standard Hotel single room, just without a toilet or shower. In the large public bath on the basement level, there are two private shower booths that you can use freely. Shampoo, conditioner, body & face soap, and cleansing oil are provided in both areas, so you can come empty-handed. Paper towels are available at the sinks as well, so having just one towel and one bath towel is usually enough. A hair dryer and curling iron are also provided for peace of mind. The only essential item is earphones—no talking and no sound allowed—so be sure to bring them. Other than that, it’s simple and very clean, so I recommend it.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great, but the staff and service were excellent, and we had a very comfortable stay. This is a Hotel where even families with small children can stay with peace of mind. The bed setup, children’s amenities, a kids’ play area in the main building, and the bath facilities—including child-sized chairs plus body soap and shampoo—were all very well equipped. They also offer rental swim diapers so babies can enjoy their first Onsen experience. Traveling with small children usually means lots of luggage, but everything was so well provided that we honestly didn’t need to bring as much—an unexpectedly pleasant surprise. We’ll be back again next year! Thank you very much.

This was our second stay. Both dinner and breakfast used local ingredients, and we enjoyed them very much. When staying in Yufuin, this is the Accommodation my family always requests. The staff were courteous, our privacy was well maintained, and we were able to relax at a leisurely pace. This Room also had both an indoor bath and an outdoor bath, so whenever we had free time, we soaked in the tub. We’re looking forward to our next visit.

We visited Shimane Prefecture for the first time to go to the Izumo Taisha Shrine we’d long dreamed of seeing for our wedding anniversary. While looking for a Ryokan, we found a wonderful one in an Onsen town—though it was a bit far from Izumo Taisha—and decided to check it out. We were especially drawn to the amazing Plan offering 90 minutes of all-you-can-eat crab, so we made a Reservation right away!! The guest Room was very spacious—more than enough for two people—and it was very clean!! Every dish was truly delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed the crab until we were completely satisfied. The other kaiseki dishes were also luxurious; the clam clear soup was of course delicious, and so were the meat dishes and sea bream shabu-shabu… Everything exceeded our expectations!! The Onsen was also excellent. I personally loved the open-air bath in particular. When I went in at night, I felt the water temperature might have been slightly on the lukewarm side, but in the morning it was just perfect—so I think the weather may have had an effect. It felt so good that I wanted to stay in both at night and in the morning. The next day my skin felt smooth, and I could definitely feel its benefits. The front desk staff were kind as well. Next time, I’d love to visit again on a family trip with my parents and my spouse’s parents. We’re very happy to have found such a great Ryokan that we can recommend to anyone.

The staff were very kind and attentive, and I was very satisfied.

We have stayed here for three consecutive years while visiting the Tomonotsu Museum—two years in “Kai,” and this time in the newly opened “RiSA.” In the past, we served ourselves at dinner and would set everything out on the table at once while checking the menu. This time, each dish was explained to us in the dining room, and we were able to enjoy our meal at a relaxed pace, which made us very satisfied. We truly appreciated the attentive service. We’ll be back again next year.

The rate was so affordable that I even worried whether I had booked the right place—it was such a clean Hotel. Thank you very much.

The Room and baths were spacious, and the amenities were well stocked, making our stay very comfortable. We were able to relax at our leisure with the private open-air bath and the indoor Sakakibara Onsen. Since there was no Wi-Fi in the Room, I rated the Facility 4 stars, but it turned out to be a good opportunity to put our phones away and unwind together as a family. Dinner was plentiful—featuring a boat platter of sea bream, spiny lobster, abalone, and amberjack, as well as wagyu beef grilled on a ceramic plate—and everything was delicious. Overall, we were extremely satisfied with this Accommodation!

When visiting Shimane, I was looking for an affordable Accommodation with breakfast included, so I stayed here. In the end, it was a very satisfying stay that made me wonder how they can offer it at this price. The exterior looks a bit old, but the inside has been nicely renovated, and the curved hallway had a great atmosphere. The Facility is somewhat dated as well, but everything is well maintained and clean. The alcohol vending machine on the first floor was a nice touch. The prices are very reasonable. The Simmons bed really was comfortable, and the choice of pillows was both fun and practical. All staff members, including international staff, were pleasant and responded efficiently. Breakfast buffet items were also replenished frequently. There was information about discounted access to a nearby affiliated bath facility, but since it was raining outside, I just used the shower in my Room. I wasn’t traveling for an Onsen trip in the first place, so personally I appreciate being able to stay at this price even without a large public bath. As other Reviews mention, the dashi ochazuke at breakfast was delicious. Toppings like kombu and pickled plum were available so I could customize it to my liking. The other dishes were typical of what you often find at a Business Hotel—sausages, scrambled eggs, small salted grilled mackerel, etc. It’s not flashy, but considering this room rate includes breakfast as well, I felt it offered excellent value. I’ll definitely stay again!

There are convenience stores and restaurants nearby, and it’s close to the station—an excellent location.\nWe used it as our Accommodation for a summer sports tournament, so we were disappointed that the Room didn’t have a freezer compartment, which is why we rated it 4 stars.\nOther than that, everything was more than satisfactory.\nWe will definitely stay again.