Around Engetsu Island × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

I stayed here last July with my wife, and in October with my mother and aunt. This was our third stay, at the request of my mother and aunt who wanted to visit again. As with the previous two stays, we had a wonderful time from check-in to check-out. Thank you again to all the staff.

As others have mentioned, the second-floor ocean-view Room offers a view of the sea through power lines, with part of a building that looks somewhat abandoned in the foreground. The windows were not cleaned well, so it wasn’t a view that impressed us. The Room had the kind of odor often found in pet-friendly Accommodation, and we noticed smells around the sofa, bed, and curtains as well. The shared areas were very clean and had no odor, so they were comfortable to use. That was great. The only thing that concerned me in the shared areas was that the foot-washing faucet at the entrance only dispensed cold water... Maybe I wasn’t using it correctly. Personally, I appreciated being able to try out TAVO carts and beds—an unexpected service. Since we didn’t bring our own cart, we were able to rent one and visit places where a rental is required. However, since we received a size 6 or 7 cart, I did wonder whether it would be suitable for smaller dogs. The bakery next door also tasted great, and overall it was a Hotel I’d like to use again if I have the chance.

It was a very satisfying trip to Shirahama. This Accommodation is in an excellent location, close to Shirarahama Beach. The Room was thoroughly cleaned, and we were very satisfied. We love Onsen, so we were happy with the large public bath here. The food was delicious as well. All the staff were attentive and helpful—thank you very much. It was an Accommodation that exceeded its price. We were also blessed with good weather and could relax at our leisure. It’s an Accommodation that makes us want to come again.

We stayed in Building D, which is pet-friendly. Everything was spotless and very comfortable. There’s honestly nothing to criticize, so here are a few tips to help you enjoy your stay even more. Jacuzzi / Open-air bath / Pool: 　Bringing a swimsuit is recommended. Stink bugs (currently a large outbreak): 　It’s helpful to bring sticky tape for removal. Bakery: 　There’s a great bakery nearby. Amenities: 　High-quality POLA amenities are provided, so you only need to bring the basics. To fully enjoy it: 　You’ll probably want to stay two nights. Appliances: 　Most appliances are available, but there doesn’t seem to be an air fryer (probably). Shirarahama Beach: 　It’s just under 2 km away—slightly far. Dogs aren’t allowed on Shirarahama Beach, which is disappointing, but the beauty of the beach is amazing.

This was our first trip to Nanki-Shirahama as a couple. It was easy to reach by rental car from the airport, and Shirarahama Beach stretched out right in front of us. We enjoyed not only the ocean view from the room, but also an open-air bath in the room. The layout was spacious, with a relaxing Japanese-style room separate from the bedroom, and everything was clean and lovely. There were three different ReFa hair irons available, and even though we weren’t used to them, it was fun trying them out while blow-drying our hair. We were also able to see and hear this year’s first Shirahama Rock Festival and fireworks from our room. Having delicious in-room dining at a relaxed pace while watching the fireworks up close was truly moving.

From the Room balcony, we had a panoramic view of Shirahama Beach, the ocean, and the town—an unbeatable location. The Room was spacious and truly relaxing. The Hotel itself was lovely, and having a nice smoking room was a real plus for smokers. In the evening, we enjoyed delicious cocktails at the bar counter, and with live piano music it made for a wonderfully comfortable time. The view from the large public bath was also amazing—you can look down over the sea, and the ocean breeze felt incredibly refreshing. Dinner was an Italian course meal and everything was delicious. The breakfast buffet was great too, with both Japanese and Western options. The Hotel also has a pool and a gym, and it’s close to Shirahama World Safari and golf courses—perfect for families with children as well as golf lovers. It was such a wonderful Hotel that we’ll definitely want to visit again.

We stayed on the day of the September fireworks. As always, the hot springs were wonderful, and the room was clean. You can freely change your yukata, and there are even plastic bags in the large public bath to store what you’ve taken off. These may seem like small details, but they create a sense of comfort and luxury. The service at the dining venue was also excellent. When we arrived, all dinner slots before the fireworks were already full, so our meal overlapped with the fireworks and we were saying how disappointing it was that we might not be able to go see them this time. Before the fireworks started, however, a staff member kindly asked us: “For guests who would like to go watch the fireworks, we can pause your meal for about 30–40 minutes while you’re away. At which course should we stop serving for now?” Thanks to this thoughtful arrangement, more than half of us dining in that same time slot—including us—were able to go down to the beach and watch the fireworks. This is exactly the kind of hospitality you never forget. Thank you very much.

As someone who loves traveling and stays at many different Accommodations, I found this place exceptionally comfortable. The Room was spacious and airy, spotless, and thoroughly cleaned down to every corner. It was so relaxing that it truly helped me recover from travel fatigue. The Mirable shower in the bath was another great highlight—after bathing, I felt completely refreshed, as if all the day’s grime had been washed away. Having a washing machine in the Room—and even a single-use portion of detergent—was incredibly convenient. Using the bathroom’s washer-dryer function, my laundry dried properly, which was a huge help. I traveled with my dog, and we never felt cramped—there was plenty of openness. It also had a resort-like feel, and I loved being able to unwind with my dog. If you want to relax comfortably even while traveling, this is an Accommodation I highly recommend. It was such a wonderful stay that I’d love to return.

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.

This was my second stay this year because I particularly enjoyed the food last time. Originally a bank's retreat, the compact front desk and building layout reflect its history. There is no greeting upon arrival, luggage assistance, or farewell service (you carry your luggage to the third-floor front desk yourself and leave on your own). However, I appreciate the stunning ocean view from the hilltop location and the cozy atmosphere with only 10 rooms. The Onsen features a 78-degree natural hot spring source, with a slightly small but pleasant open-air bath and high-quality massage chairs. This time, I stayed in a Western-style room near the elevator that was added later; it was spacious, clean, and had comfortable beds. The only downside was that the sink and toilet were adjacent without separation—though it did provide an open feel upon reflection. Dinner could only be enjoyed at the restaurant (unlike last time when in-room dining allowed for more relaxation), which was disappointing as wearing loungewear is not permitted—I would have preferred to dine in a relaxed atmosphere in loungewear. Starting February next year, dinner times will shift to two seatings; however, I hope they maintain flexibility like now where you can choose every 30 minutes. The food met expectations—delicious despite not using particularly expensive ingredients—with intricate sauces and beautiful presentation that truly felt like fine cuisine. Breakfast also offered plenty of variety and quality. Before dinner at the lounge, I ordered Royal Milk Tea which was so delicious that I ordered it again in the morning while enjoying an elegant atmosphere with ocean views through large windows. A staff member kindly offered to take my photo during this time while explaining distant scenery details—a friendly gesture that elevated my impression of this accommodation’s overall service level. Its convenient distance from Osaka makes me want to visit again!

As soon as we arrived at the hotel and tried to take a photo at the entrance, a staff member kindly helped us and took a great picture with the scenery. While waiting at the front desk, there were Halloween decorations and costumes, and they happily let us dress up together and took photos for us. However, there weren’t many options for the welcome drinks, so I wish there had been a few more choices. The room was also clean. The dinner offered a wide variety of delicious local and seasonal dishes, and we were able to enjoy plenty of food. In particular, the fresh bluefin tuna and sea bream sashimi were excellent; the sushi rice was tasty, the toppings were generous in size, and even the chawanmushi was served piping hot and felt truly authentic. There was also a great selection of desserts that tasted wonderful, but I was too full to try many of them—next time I’d like to come back hungry enough to enjoy everything without regrets. Above all, when the food is this good, it really makes you want to visit again.

We stayed with our children and grandchildren to celebrate my husband’s 60th birthday. Not only was the Facility beautiful and wonderful, but all of the staff were kind and greeted us with warm smiles, which made our stay very pleasant. Thank you very much. However, our grandchildren got extremely excited and were quite noisy during meals, so if we made other guests uncomfortable, we sincerely apologize… To everyone who stayed on the same day—sorry! Our grandchildren seemed to have a great time as well, and our whole family was very satisfied with our stay… We’re sorry—and thank you again. It was a Hotel we’d want to visit again and again.

The view from the window was breathtaking, and we were able to enjoy a truly luxurious time. The sunset in particular was stunning—better than we had imagined. We would definitely like to stay again.

I had a wonderful time. I understand it may be unreasonable to expect perfection from every Hotel staff member, but if everyone can take proper time off and approach their work in a more fulfilling way, I feel the Hotel’s overall quality could improve even further. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

I was planning a trip to Wakayama and looking at various places to stay, and that’s when I found Akariya. When I actually visited, the location was great, and the service and hospitality were excellent! Especially the breakfast—it was absolutely delicious! There was a great variety, including Wakayama’s famous pickled plums. The umeboshi were incredibly tasty! It was an amazing trip and a wonderful place to stay. Thank you very much. I will definitely come again.

Thank you for taking such great care of us on our dog’s first trip. Everyone on the staff was truly dog-first—playing with our dog and keeping them company—and we really appreciate it. Since our dog is large, you even upgraded us to a more spacious Room, and we’re so grateful for all your kindness. This is an Accommodation we’d love to visit again when traveling to Wakayama. The bath was also wonderful, with slightly silky natural hot spring water, and my skin felt so smooth the next day! Both our dog and we were completely satisfied. Thank you very much.

Being able to enjoy a variety of alcoholic drinks during dinner was amazing! I was especially happy to have a Nagisa Beer server. The Room was spacious, clean, and comfortable. I also appreciated the free massage chair. There are many stairs to the large public bath, and even more to the panoramic open-air bath. It might be tough for elderly guests. However, the view and the hot spring water are wonderful, so I definitely recommend going.

This was our third stay, and the free-flowing Onsen with no added water is outstanding. One of the highlights is being able to relax together as a couple in the private bath. Breakfast was delicious both to look at and to eat, and we were completely full. The parking lot is spacious, the location is great, and we love the views from the Room—Shirarahama Beach, sunsets, and more. We’d like to visit again when we can find the time.

Once again, I was able to relax and feel refreshed. We used the private family bath; it was spacious and having two washing areas was very helpful. Breakfast also had a wide variety of dishes, so you need to be careful not to overeat. Haha. All the staff were cheerful and treated us kindly. One request: I would prefer two-piece loungewear instead of a yukata. Thank you for your hospitality. I’d love to visit again.

The walk to the private bath is a bit long, but the scenery is wonderful, and we were able to enjoy an Onsen experience you can only have here. The meals were delicious, and since the course dishes were brought to us, we could relax and enjoy them without having to rush back and forth. The Room was spacious and very clean. The welcome drink was also great. We would love to visit again!