Ichigekan

The food was delicious, with plenty of local ingredients, and I really enjoyed the hot springs. Shima Onsen itself is a wonderful place. But for the price, the rooms felt a bit old, and the service was seriously lacking. I checked out just five minutes late, and they fussed at me, gave me a nasty look, and treated me horribly. I accept some responsibility for being late, but did those five minutes really cause a major problem for them? Making departing guests uncomfortable over such a short delay has no benefit. It left me very disappointed. I won't stay here again or recommend it.

The inn felt warm and welcoming, almost like a guesthouse. It's by the river and has an open-air bath, spacious enough for two to relax without feeling flashy. The water flows freely and is very nice, though perhaps a little hot. Our meals used as many local ingredients as possible, and all the staff were friendly and happy to chat. Shima Onsen has both large hotels and small, intimate ryokan-style places. It's still quiet, without much of an inbound tourist feel. If you want a simple place without flashy touches, I think you'd be satisfied here.

I stayed in a room with a semi-open-air bath, and also used the shared bath, which is open around the clock. The water is mildly alkaline, leaving my skin smooth and my body warm, though it's definitely not lukewarm. I took several soaks in the room bath, with the sound of the nearby river making it feel close to nature. After a long break from travel, I was able to relax. I'd like to come back. Thank you. The old building is clean. Meals were local dishes, not fancy but tasty and plentiful. I had chilled sake and enjoyed it, though there wasn't much variety, which was a shame. Some policies also felt old-fashioned, like not allowing outside drinks and having no Wi-Fi.

The staff were all very friendly, though it seemed they checked with the owner's husband whenever someone made a request, so I wondered if they might be a bit inflexible. Still, I enjoyed my stay a lot. With no other guests, the dining area was ours alone, though it might feel cramped with several groups there. The meals were substantial for both breakfast and dinner. If you found the food plain or not tasty, you may be used to more luxurious places. It felt like we had the room to ourselves. We opened the window wide and used the room bath several times, adding water to get the temperature right. It was comfortable and kept us warm even after getting out. Amenities are minimal, as other reviews mention, so bring your own if you need anything.