Tabiyado Yobuko

That squid sashimi was so good 😋🍴💕

The hot spring had a peaceful feel, and my husband and I came away feeling rested. We stayed overnight at an inn in Yobuko, Karatsu City, where dinner was brought to our room. The famous Yobuko squid and the other fresh seafood were all delicious, and we were very happy with the meal. The squid stood out for its sweetness and firm texture. Breakfast had squid shumai too, a lovely taste of Yobuko first thing in the morning. With the food and hot spring both so satisfying, we'd recommend the inn to couples wanting a relaxed stay.

The room was ready when I arrived at 4 PM, and the landlady showed me in after I picked a dinner time. I parked my rental car beside the carp pond by the entrance. This was a weekday stay in late February, the second day of my Kyushu trip after a round at Karatsu Golf Club. I headed straight to the large bath. Towels could be changed as often as I liked, and amenities were supplied. The open-air bath felt chilly in the strong wind, so I didn't stay long. The sauna was around 85 degrees. I got chatting with a woman visiting from Tokyo, and went in three times, with breaks in the cold bath. Back in my room, I had the beer I'd bought at a convenience store while waiting for dinner. They started bringing dinner to the room at 6:40 PM, dish after dish. The main was local spear squid (sasai-ka). I expected it to be transparent, but it was only semi-transparent. The tempura was tasty, and there was a generous amount of food besides the squid. A gale warning was in effect because the sea was so rough, so I was simply glad squid was available. The proprietress said they never run out, which should reassure people coming specifically for squid. Breakfast was average and included squid shumai. The seasoning leaned sweet. I booked through Jalan and got a good deal with the Saga discount.

The staff were all really friendly, and their service was impeccable. The food was delicious, and the location works well for a visit to the Yobuko morning market. I'd consider coming back in the right season. The rooms all face the ocean, though pigeon netting seems to block the view on some floors. Dinner comes to the room, which could be tricky if you eat slowly. The hotel office controls the air conditioning as well as the room units, so you can't set the temperature yourself.