Shogetsu Ryokan

The dinner was excellent, both in appearance and taste, and they served it in the guestroom. Service was nice, though English wasn’t a strong point. It’s a small, family-run hotel. The furniture and facilities are aging, but the place is clean. The guestrooms are separated by wooden walls, so sound insulation is poor.

The food was really tasty. Highly recommend.

Dinner kept arriving in one delicious course after another, and the seafood was exceptionally fresh and prepared to bring out its natural flavor. The sea urchin chawanmushi was sweet and almost melted in my mouth, while the whole bright red Hanasaki crab made us pause and savor each bite. Grilled silver cod with Saikyo miso and sashimi were among the other beautifully prepared dishes. It’s a great meal if you enjoy alcohol, though it’s also fantastic with rice if you don’t. I stayed at Teruzuki Ryokan, a long-established Nemuro inn known for its food. The charming building was founded in the Meiji era, and its sparkling floors and tidy rooms gave it a nostalgic feel while still being very comfortable. The owner greeted us in a professional jacket and trousers, and the local staff were pleasant and efficient. The bath isn’t a hot spring and is small, but it eased my fatigue. I’d recommend this inn, especially to people who enjoy a drink.

I’ve stayed twice over the past three years, and each time the meals were wonderful and the service attentive. Both visits were in spring or summer, and I enjoyed hearing seagulls and other birds outside. The hotel was very clean, and I could relax there.