한월암 신풍 (閑月庵 新豊)

We stayed in August. We drove across Akinada Bridge and along the Tobishima Kaido, sightseeing and enjoying the views of the Seto Inland Sea along the way.The roads were well maintained overall, and we reached Mitarai without any trouble.This lovely, tastefully renovated inn far exceeded our expectations.All the essentials, including the air conditioning, bathroom facilities, and amenities, were new and comfortable. At the same time, the room had a warm atmosphere, incorporating old timber that would be hard to find today, allowing us to truly relax.The food was delicious, and the attentive service—made possible by hosting just one group per day—and conversations with the owner made our trip even more memorable.We would love to return if we have the chance.* We weren't fans of Drive My Car, but our stay inspired us to watch the film, which we also enjoyed.* We took the ferry from Osakikamijima to Takehara. Although there didn't seem to be any special events, it was crowded, perhaps because it was the weekend, and we couldn't board the first ferry and had to wait for the next one. We recommend allowing plenty of time.

Osakishimojima has long been a place I’ve admired, yet because of transportation it always felt like a faraway island. This time, my visit matched the image I had of the Mitarai Preservation District—preserving the charm of a good old era—while also letting me see young people carrying on and working hard to make use of the island’s rich tourism resources. It truly refreshed both my mind and body. The warm personality and thoughtful hospitality of the Accommodation owner made me feel grateful and completely at ease. And while the chef may seem a bit unfriendly at first (pardon me!), once he starts talking, his endless love for fish and dedication to cooking are delightful—and I also felt how dependable the younger generation supporting the island’s future is. There is no TV or audio equipment in this Accommodation, but outside the window are islands across the water, boats passing by, and a blue sky—scenery so wonderful it feels like there could be no greater luxury. It really did feel exactly as someone wrote in a Review: truly one of a kind. It was an incredibly precious one-night, two-day stay. I would love to visit again.