Costa Del Sol Hiji

The onsen sits right by the sea, so you can soak while watching the waves and Oita on the horizon. You can adjust the water temperature with the handled pipes. Everything was very clean, though being so close to the water means sea bugs might wander around sometimes. I didn’t see any myself. There are free lockers before you enter, so your clothes and belongings aren’t in view while you bathe. We had a tempura lunch set, grilled fish lunch set, and a selection of sashimi for two. It was all delicious, nicely prepared, and generous, with the bill coming to just under ¥4000. Eating at the restaurant also gets you free use of the onsen, otherwise it costs ¥500. The restaurant has BBQ tables, indoor seating for cold weather, and lovely outdoor tables for summer, including a couple on a platform over the sea. Great food and a great bath, definitely recommended.

Had a great time here. Really fun place.

Breakfast left us a little disappointed. We stayed on December 31st, and the restaurant music the next morning didn’t feel like New Year’s at all. For the main dish we could choose a fish fillet, but the half-grilled fish was more than we could eat, so it felt wasteful. A smaller portion would’ve suited us better. The room was clean, the bed comfortable, and we didn’t hear anything from the room next door. What I’ll remember most is the bath, looking out over the ocean with the waves audible, while Beppu Bay stretched out in front of us. It was a comfortable stay.

The view was wonderful, the hot springs were fantastic, and we enjoyed the Japanese home-style meals, including dinner. We came as a family for the baths. Our original accommodation had serious construction problems, so we were asked to take two rooms instead. The room we’d booked looked just like the photos, which left me a little disappointed with the change. Still, the owner’s heartfelt apology and the staff’s friendliness made a real difference. My family ended up very happy with the stay, and I’d definitely return.