Hoshino Resorts KAI Izumo

The view is astonishing, and the meals and activities are good too.

The biggest drawback is getting there. The hotel is about 10 km from Izumo Taisha, up a very narrow, winding road. Bus service isn’t good, and we couldn’t find a taxi during our visit, so we ended up renting a car at an unexpected cost. We also had some difficulty communicating with staff by email before arrival, but once we were there, it was fine. The hotel is peaceful, with elegant, minimal decor and comfortable, quiet rooms. We liked its Zen-like simplicity, though there isn’t much to do besides the onsen, an evening traditional dance performance, and the wonderful meals. There’s no coffee except at a vending machine outside the hotel grounds. The food is Japanese kaiseki, mostly made with local ingredients, and we found it excellent. The onsens are small but nice, with a view of the coast and ocean. They’re quite acceptable, though not as superb as some Hoshinoya facilities. The staff are friendly young people, and nearly all the guests were Japanese while we were there. Izumo Taisha and nearby Hinomasaki-ji are spectacular.

At this Hoshino Resorts hot spring inn in Hinomisaki, rooms face either the ocean for sunrise or Hinomisaki Lighthouse for sunset over the sea. It’s around a 20-minute drive from Izumo Taisha Shrine, making it a useful base. The inn is on the western tip of the Shimane Peninsula, a place known as the birthplace of mythology. Its interior features Sekishu washi paper, a traditional Shimane craft, and staff perform Iwami Kagura so guests can experience local culture.

My wife and I have stayed at several Kai properties over the past few years, and we had a wonderful time at Kai Izumo. The room had a beautiful sea view, and the food was excellent. Matsumi, a young staff member who speaks fluent English, was polite and friendly. I can hardly put into words how happy I was with the experience.