Minshuku Misaki (Toyama)

I came on May 2nd, 2024, and was struck by the night sky. It was incredibly beautiful, with about twice as many bright stars as I can see from home. Miyazaki Coast is right nearby, and it’s a great spot for jade harvesting.

Hisui Coast is deep, so it can be a challenge if you’re not a swimmer. It isn’t a designated swimming beach, though swimming isn’t prohibited. I visit every summer and like that it’s usually quiet and uncrowded. The sunsets are lovely too. This time I wanted more time by the sea, so I chose this lodging because it seemed easy to reach from the coast. There’s a door at the back of the building that opens straight onto the beach, just a 30-second walk away. Guests can use a shower room to change, and having a hot shower here is a real plus. Hisui Coast only has tap water, so I usually need to shower after being there. I’d paid in advance, then the prefectural resident discount began the day before my stay. I asked about it, and they rebooked me without a cancellation fee. I really appreciated that thoughtfulness. The property is well maintained, and the food was delicious, made with local ingredients and quality seasonings. The grilled fish was especially good. This is only my guess, but the seasonings I saw looked like real mirin rather than mirin-like seasoning, and brewery-made soy sauce rather than the air-proof series. It made me wonder if they use special salt and sugar too. The bath doesn’t seem to be a hot spring, but you can book it for family use, which makes bathing together fun. I think this is the best place to fully enjoy the Jade Coast, and I expect I’ll stay here often.

It was lovely to walk along the nearby coast and take in Toyama Bay and Oyashirazu. At meals, guests eat together in a large tatami room, and the fish dishes were delicious, definitely recommended. The small inconvenience was having no drinks in the room or vending machines. Since it’s a guesthouse, that’s understandable, but you need to buy drinks from the inn staff downstairs by 10pm.

The food was delicious, especially the cod soup at dinner. I don’t usually have rice with dinner, but stirring a little into the soup to make something like porridge was amazing. I had Tateyama and Maboroshi no Taki as cold sake. The beach is right behind the hotel. I visited on an August weekend, and it wasn’t crowded, so it feels like a hidden gem.