Misaki Lodge Nishida

The open area on the third floor could be lovely for stars or a full moon, though you might get clouds instead. There are fishing options nearby, and you’ll want mosquito repellent at night. The views around Shionomisesaki are good for both sunrise and sunset, and I liked the sashimi and marinated fish, even if the food wasn’t an adventure. It’s a no-frills place, but I felt I got less than I paid for. Maybe high-season demand and limited competition help keep prices up; the place was full. They offer draft beer in small, medium, and large, but the part-time server didn’t know how the sizes differed and didn’t seem interested in finding out or explaining.

The view is great, and the seafood is nice. The accommodation itself is good too, though the Wi-Fi was poor and seemed to be public Wi-Fi only.

Dinner brought sashimi and boiled fish, followed by overnight dried flounder at breakfast. The flesh had a slight sweetness, and even the fins tasted good. I also liked the homemade soy milk oboro tofu, which has a natural soybean flavor; we were told to try it without soy sauce. From the room you can see the Pacific horizon, and with the curtains open you can drift off looking at the stars. The service and food were both great, and the location was lovely.

The location is the main reason to stay here. If you're in Shionomisaki, there isn't really another option, and the area is beautiful. But my stay left me feeling that the inn didn't care much about its guests. It may suit people who think anywhere indoors is heaven compared with sleeping outside or in a car. Cleanliness was poor. The reused cloth slippers were so dirty and smelly that the socks I wore with them were unusable afterward, and my things picked up a thick layer of white dust from the table. When I arrived, no one showed me to my room or helped with my luggage. Staff went upstairs and waited in the room instead. At reception, someone watching TV didn't look up until I called out. The food looked nothing like the promotional photos. It was a string of small dishes, and while I was drinking they kept asking, “Where's the dinner?” which made me uneasy. The sashimi was lukewarm, dishes came one after another, and the rice had that old thermos smell. They seemed eager to get it over with. Breakfast was rushed too, with an early call. Filling in the guest register also felt intrusive. It seemed like they were trying hard to collect information, but I don't see why where I'm from or where I'm going should matter to the inn.