Awashima Hotel

This was our repeat stay once again.No matter how many times we visit, the view of Mt. Fuji from the men’s open-air bath is truly breathtaking—something you can only experience here. Unfortunately, it was cloudy this time and we couldn’t see Mt. Fuji, but that just gives us something to look forward to next time.The French dinner made great use of local and seasonal ingredients, and we were completely satisfied with both the presentation and the taste. The portions were just right for us, and it’s also a pleasure to enjoy different dishes each season.The breakfast buffet was equally well stocked with both Japanese and Western options, and we enjoyed everything down to the fruit and desserts. It was a little disappointing that the made-to-order omelets from before are no longer available, but it’s understandable if it’s part of efforts to keep the Hotel running for years to come.Most impressive of all is the hospitality of the staff. At breakfast, for example, they kindly introduced recommended dishes in detail—it really came through that they pay attention to each guest, and we felt their warm consideration throughout our stay.Many paintings and artworks are displayed throughout the building; I’m not particularly knowledgeable about art, but simply walking around inside is enjoyable.The building isn’t new by any means, but on this remote island I can’t help imagining how such a large Hotel was even constructed in the first place. I was also impressed that such extensive Facilities have been maintained for so many years in a harsh environment surrounded by sea.We’ve stayed at many Hotels over the years, but Awashima Hotel is one of those rare special places that naturally makes you think, “I want to come back.”I hope this wonderful scenery and warm hospitality will continue unchanged for years to come, so it remains a beloved Hotel for many people. We’ll be back again.

Using the convenient Shuttle Service from Mishima Station, we arrived smoothly at Awashima before 3:00 PM. The building feels a bit dated in places, but it was clean and we felt comfortable throughout our stay. The on-site aquarium is small and homey, which made it possible to see penguins and turtles surprisingly up close—refreshingly different from the large city aquariums. We missed the shows this time, but would love to see them on our next visit. At dusk, I walked around the island alone; it was a little thrilling and even a bit scary at times, but it was a memorable experience that let me fully enjoy the unique atmosphere of an isolated island. Our spacious Room was very comfortable: that evening we relaxed in the large public Onsen bath to soothe our travel fatigue, and the next morning we enjoyed a luxurious start to the day with an in-room bath overlooking the sea.Both the French dinner and the breakfast buffet were delicious.Since it was summer, clouds blocked the view and we couldn’t see Mt. Fuji, which was disappointing. We’d love to visit again in winter.