Hot Springs Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Extremely satisfied with this hotel! I was a bit worried about its age before booking, given it was built in the 1960s. However, after checking in, my experience was fantastic – so much so that I still think about it fondly and miss it. The room might not look super modern or new, but it was impeccably clean! ♨️ I highly recommend the hotel's hot spring. Soaking in the outdoor onsen at night, facing the Pacific Ocean and enjoying the fresh air, was an absolute 'life moment' experience. 🥰 Breakfast was a set meal, and it was incredibly delicious!

I've tried both of the onsen hotels in Nachi that require a ferry to access, Urashima and Nakanoshima, and I highly recommend Nakanoshima. Everything from the hotel environment to the dinner and breakfast was excellent, especially the kaiseki dinner, which left a very deep impression on my trip to Kyoto. The picture shows the menu translated by my phone, and I must specifically mention the wagyu beef – it was absolutely delicious!!! The waitstaff even gave us an extra plate when they saw how much we enjoyed it, which was a great touch! Also, if you're going to use the onsen, you absolutely must try the outdoor one. Relaxing comfortably while looking out at the sea – now that's a vacation!

This onsen hotel in Shirahama-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, is primarily renowned for its breathtaking 'ocean view hot springs.' Boasting open-air, mixed-gender baths directly facing the Pacific Ocean, the panoramic views are truly spectacular, and the experience of soaking in the springs with the sea right in front of you is unforgettable—a timeless signature feature. Additionally, the hotel offers several 'kashikiri-buro' (private hot springs) that require queuing for a key, adding an option for more private bathing. However, in other aspects of the experience, the hotel generally falls short, failing to fully match the grandeur of its views: • **Mediocre Service**: Compared to the meticulous and heartfelt 'omotenashi' (hospitality) typical of traditional Japanese ryokans, Haishu's service feels more process-driven and standardized. While the staff are polite, they lack proactiveness, giving it the feel of a large resort rather than a cozy private inn. • **Many Elderly Guests**: The hotel is very popular among older tourists, which contributes to a lively and mainstream atmosphere, lacking some of the tranquility and elegance one might desire. If you're seeking a quiet getaway for two, you might find the environment a bit noisy. • **Unremarkable Dining**: Reviews for both dinner (kaiseki cuisine) and breakfast, included in the 'one night, two meals' package, are generally 'average.' Although local specialties (like Kishu plums and Kumano beef) are highlighted, the actual taste and presentation are only mediocre. It's worth noting that it's 'not as bad as some online comments suggest,' falling within an acceptable range, but it doesn't offer any surprises and falls short of the dining standards found in top-tier onsen ryokans. **Summary**: If you're going solely for the stunning ocean-view hot springs, Haishu is definitely worth a stay—the natural scenery there is unparalleled. However, if you have high expectations for service details, dining quality, or a quiet atmosphere, this hotel might only offer an 'average' experience, and you should adjust your expectations accordingly.

The hotel is situated at a secluded corner of Wakayama prefecture. It is much preferable to drive here rather than relying on the infrequent hotel shuttle. Public transport is otherwise non existent. There are no restaurants around the hotel. However the hotel provides delicious meals with abundant fresh seafood. The in room dining experience is superb. The hotel staff service is impeccable. The room has a spectacular sea view allowing you to see the sunset on clear days. The onsen also faces the sea which provides a relaxing experience. A downside is that the hotel does not seem to sanitize the slippers for indoor use. All hotel guests had to change to their slippers to access their indoor facilities.

This hotel was our chosen endpoint after hiking the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi trail. We stayed at the Sankan building, and honestly, five onsen pools weren't nearly enough time to try them all! My favorite was definitely the Bokaido. It was rainy the day we checked in, so we missed the sunset, but the next day cleared up perfectly for a beautiful sunrise. We also took a stroll through Noroshiyama Park, which was really pleasant. However, both the buffet breakfast and dinner at Sankan were pretty mediocre, with not much variety. Getting on and off the island was a bit inconvenient due to the limited schedule of the 'Turtle Boat'. We were essentially tied to the hotel's half-board plan. After checking out at 10 AM, there were so many people queuing that we missed the last Turtle Boat. We ended up taking a shuttle bus for about 10 minutes to the parking lot, but then had to walk for about 20 minutes, taking a long detour, to finally reach the Ura Island pier. If you're traveling with kids, make sure to carefully check the shuttle boat schedule and plan your departure from the island accordingly!

We had a lovely stay at this hotel. Checking was fast and easy. They have a lovely Indoor & outdoor Onsen in their hotel. Probiotic Yacult drinks and a variety of ice cream are free to consume at different timing.  The complimentary Ramen from 9:30pm to 11pm is a real treat with bamboo shoot and a quarter of Japanese egg, the clear broth is not too salty but flavourful. The breakfast spread is good with both Japanese and western dishes. Definitely a good stay for this area. Highly recommended.

Loved everything about the hotel. It has a pleasant lounge area. Amenities were exceptional. Food was good and this is the first time I had encountered a free flow of drinks including alcohol and light snacks throughout the day in a hotel. Enjoyed the onsen.

Although the hotel is relatively old, it is still a pleasant surprise overall. The room is very good, the beach is just outside, the price/performance ratio is very high, and the overall travel accommodation experience is very good.

Facility : Hotel provide open hot spring to every host and private hot spring with very reasonable price. Both have good view, clean facility and clear instruction Service : All staff are helpful and polite. Welcome message everywhere. Food : tasty and fresh dishes to let you taste Japan everyday. In addition, they introduce to you different sake with very good price. Lastly, staff will introduce to you different dishes so as to understand Japan more.

The hotel is conveniently located right by a bus stop. The onsen hotel offers a great variety of food. The dinner buffet included sashimi, and breakfast featured local specialties. The Japanese-style tatami beds were very comfortable. A pleasant surprise was the complimentary drinks bar, perfect for enjoying after a relaxing bath.