Hotel Kawachiya

It felt homey, and the staff were extremely friendly and supportive. The room was much bigger than I expected, and the food was delicious. The water quality was pristine, and the onsen flows constantly from the hot springs without treatment. I’d stay here again.

We came in February 2026 for the Kawazu cherry blossoms, and the riverside location made it easy to reach the blossom-lined streets and see the trees lit up at night. After checking out, we could leave the car parked and enjoy the flowers at our own pace the next day. I visit for the blossoms every year and would use this inn again. The building has an old, country-house feel, with a few cold drafts, but the air conditioning, sink, and toilet were new and clean. Hina dolls, hanging dolls, and Japanese dolls give it an Izu-like atmosphere. Staff were all very friendly. You leave your shoes at the entrance and wear slippers inside; when you go out, staff quickly bring your shoes, or you can get them from the lockers yourself, so it wasn't a problem. Dinner and breakfast were both tasty and filling. The dishes and menu seem to depend on the booking plan, and you can order extras ahead. Dinner was a seafood feast: golden-eyed snapper shabu-shabu, grilled fish, sweet bean paste sauce, sashimi, tasty small sides and pickles. Local Shizuoka sake was available too. Breakfast came with dried fish, eggs steamed in the hot spring, homemade salted fish, miso soup with sashimi fillets, and other rice accompaniments. There was so much that we were very full. The slightly hot spring is a chloride spring, and the men's and women's baths switch at 10 p.m. From the riverside outdoor bath you can catch a glimpse of the blossoms. The one thing that unsettled me was seeing a male staff member at the women's large bath. I think he came around 9 p.m. to clean before the switch, checked visually whether anyone was inside, and left through the back door when he saw us. We noticed his shadow and stayed back, so we didn't meet face to face, but it still felt unsettling. I wish the baths had closed at least 15 minutes before the change so we had time to tidy up. That's my only real complaint.

The bath was lovely, and it was very convenient to use it after checkout when returning from Hirizohama. The inn is thoughtfully designed, and the daytime baths are great. The room was small and cozy, a little more comfortable than a guesthouse, with working air conditioning. The proprietress was friendly at first, but when I asked for the bill, she started explaining and then said, “Never mind,” turned away, and handed me the change. She seemed to be sulking, was overbearing, and wouldn't make eye contact, though she was attentive and polite to other customers. It put a bit of a damper on what should have been a fun Hirizohama outing. There are three sets of options for Hirizohama, not listed in order, and the prices differ, so check them carefully. It was summer, but the hotel's air conditioning wasn't on; there was just a big standing fan in the hallway. Great savings! Be careful about heatstroke if you have small children. There aren't many restaurants nearby, and the one I wanted required a reservation. I couldn't find a convenience store nearby, so I walked about 20 minutes and found a delicious Italian restaurant. Plan ahead for food. The shuttle only runs in the morning on the return trip, so after the Hirizo Beach tour I had to walk to the bus stop and take public transportation.

The staff were kind and helpful, even checking on me when I got seasick. After the trip, they picked me up, and I could relax in the natural hot spring back at the inn. The water was lovely, and the meals were generous. The inn's plan for Hirizo Beach makes a boat-access snorkeling and diving trip in Izu Shimoda very convenient. It includes transportation in cooperation with Nakagi Marine Center. Before 8 a.m. the morning after your stay, meet outside the inn wearing your swimsuit; they'll take you to Nakagi Marine Center. You can rent a wetsuit and snorkeling gear there, then take a boat to Hirizo Beach. An instructor guides you in the 30-meter-deep water, where there are plenty of fish. A boxed lunch is provided, and there's free swimming in the afternoon. Shower and changing facilities are available, but there are no hair dryers.