Dougashima Land Hopia

The view was fantastic, and the staff looked after us well, thank you! We stayed in a lodge for the first time from December 31 to January 2. Even in winter, the loft sleeping area stayed warm with the air conditioner on, so we turned it off when we went to bed. There were plenty of appliances, including a hot plate, which made cooking easy. Having a unit bath meant we could shower whenever we wanted. Next time, I’d like to come in summer and play with my kids at the nearby sea.

The only real plus is being right by the sea. I stayed during Golden Week and won’t come back. Even though I expected some spiders and other insects, the lighting was incredibly dim, and the shower at the recommended rock bath only had cold water. The worst part was the termites, or winged ants. Their wings were everywhere in the changing room, piled up as well as covering the shelves. Even thinking about it now gives me the creeps, makes my hair stand on end, and makes my head itch. I asked the owner to get rid of them and clean up, but they didn’t seem interested. I can’t imagine that kind of mess appearing in such a short time. Even a room without meals wasn’t cheap.

I’ve stayed in Nishiizu several times over the past 30 years, mostly in Minamiizu, and this time a friend and I spent three nights here outside the summer holidays. You can get back from the beach in your swimsuit, use the washing machine, and enjoy the great views right in front of you. Bring some food and stay a few days, and it’s quite a bargain. Linen was included in the room price. I also enjoyed visiting Matsuzaki and beaches other than Ukishima Beach, and it was easy to ask the manager for recommendations. The bungalows and buildings are quite old and have salt damage from the sea. With nature all around, I think some insects are to be expected. I’ve seen mixed reviews, but I wouldn’t suggest this place to anyone wanting a luxury resort bungalow or a tidy, hotel-like feel. If you stay for a few days or longer, you can clean up to make yourself comfortable and enjoy the outdoors.

We came here to have a barbecue, and the location right by the sea was ideal. The showers were convenient to get to. The room, though, was awful: cobwebs covered the ceiling, ants were on the tatami, and there was a huge spider about the size of a fist. These are things that should have been caught when the room was checked. It was clearly not cleaned properly. The building is old and looks bad from outside. They try to hide how run-down it is, but some parts are dilapidated. The price wasn’t cheap, and I absolutely won’t stay here again. I don’t recommend it, look elsewhere.