Daitoku Hotel

The local touch at dinner was nice: both Yamasa and Higeta soy sauces were on the table. There isn't a hot spring, but the big bath was very relaxing.

We'd probably come more often if the trip from central Tokyo weren't a little over two hours. Even so, it's a great-value inn, clean and relaxing despite not being a luxury ryokan. The bath isn't a hot spring, but the water felt soft and clean, with no chlorine smell. I was very satisfied, though replacing the cypress or similar faucet would be a nice improvement. Dinner's monkfish hot pot was a hit with my wife. She said the mildly sweet miso broth was the best she'd ever had. The other dishes were excellent too, with quality ingredients and good seasoning. We'll definitely return.

The meals were a real strength. Dinner had golden-eyed snapper, several kinds of sashimi, simmered dishes and items with thick sauce. The freshly fried sardines and golden-eyed snapper sashimi stood out, and the snapper head simmered for breakfast and grilled salted mackerel were delicious too. Dinner rice was a little watery, though breakfast rice was good. I stayed in an 8-tatami Japanese-style room. There are larger options too, including a 24-tatami room with a bed and a great view. The inn is on the coast, less than a 10-minute walk from Kaishikajima Station on the Choshi Electric Railway. It's easier to get there by car, but train guests can ask for a ride to Kaishikajima Station when checking in. There are two baths, Pearl no Yu and Hinoki no Yu. Pearl no Yu was lukewarm, while Hinoki no Yu was a little warmer and very nice. The men's and women's baths switch at 4am, so keep that in mind if you want to try both. The landlady was chatty and caring, and the staff were friendly. I had a relaxing stay. The inn is closing on August 25th of this year. I couldn't ask why, but the landlady is elderly and seemed to have trouble climbing stairs, so I wondered if that might be the reason. It's a shame, since the food was good and this was a great inn.

I've stayed here every year, so hearing it's closing today, August 25th, makes me really sad. The room has an amazing ocean view, and the food is luxurious and changes with the seasons. I also loved the calming feel of the big public bath. The landlady is so kind, and if I get the chance, I'd love to talk with her again.