Hotel Himalaya Sea

I loved waking up to the ocean, watching surfers each morning, and taking walks along the beach. From my balcony, the view was lovely, and the evening breeze made it comfortable to sleep with the patio doors open. I stayed 13 nights in early June at Hotel Himalaya Sea, drawn by the large rooms and how close it is to the beach and train station. I can’t wait to return in cooler weather and explore more of the UNESCO Global Geoparks on the IZU peninsula.

Breakfast came right to my room, which caught me by surprise just as I was about to ask where to get it. The first morning was Western-style, and the next day I could choose Japanese-style. Both servings were generous. The couple who brought them, maybe the owners, were very sweet and attentive, and explained the Japanese breakfast in a little English. It’s a nice small hotel with amazing views. After an awkward check-in with the receptionist, I was shown the three onsen, two of them semi-outdoor with either a sea or mountain view. I also saw where the free soft and alcoholic drinks were, though not the pool, which was probably closed. The access instructions could be better. It’d be nice if they were on the website, since Google Maps sent me down a very steep little dead-end road. I asked a woman how to get there while we were on the beach, a few hundred meters from the hotel. She said to go around the way a car would, but warned it was a long walk. She knew of a shortcut but wasn’t sure exactly where it went. Luckily, I found directions in a Google review and made it in five minutes. Be warned, the walk and stairs are really steep!

A little gem on the hillside overlooking Orange Beach in Ito, with lovely owners and beautiful views. You’ll need a car or taxi to get there. Breakfast was fantastic and included. Highly recommend! Make sure you use Google Translate. Taxis get expensive, so if you arrive by train, have a look around the city before taking one to the hotel :)

The hosts were so welcoming and kind, and even drove me to the temple and station. This was the beginning of my travels in Japan, and I’ll come back. Breakfast is included, and if you order dinner, both meals are brought to your room. They were delicious every time, so I never needed to eat out. The room is spacious, with spectacular views over Usami. It’s a five-minute walk down to the beach through a beautiful village. The insensitive is fabulous too. The whole place is beautiful and super clean, one of the best places I’ve stayed in Japan!