Ofunato Onsen

The harbor-facing setting is very pretty. The hot spring was nice and hot, breakfast was good, and the front desk staff explained everything clearly.

The onsen is on the small side, with one outdoor pool and two indoors. It opens from 11AM-9AM for overnight guests. My room and breakfast together cost about 4000 jpy, which was a bargain. Breakfast was delicious and used local ingredients from the sea. The wakame snack was delicious, too.

A very pleasant place to stop during a trip. Breakfast was excellent, and the hot spring was pretty good, especially from the outdoor pool at sunrise.

If you're in the area, especially hiking the Michinoku Coastal Trail, it's hard to beat this location. Staff are welcoming and happy to help with local tips or questions, whether or not you speak Japanese well. It's a beautiful spot for sunrise and views of the bay, though it's not quite within walking distance of the main city. Waking up to the sun and the oyster farms in the bay was breathtaking. I didn't eat dinner or breakfast, so I can't comment on the food. The complimentary coffee machine was much appreciated. There's a small children's play area in the lobby and a shop selling local goods. The washing machines are very clean and free for hikers who need fresh clothes. It's a small thing that shows the owners have thought about different kinds of guests. The onsens are well kept. From the outdoor onsen you get a great bay view and can hear seagulls, especially in the evening. The hotel has plenty of information in both English and Japanese. Even if you skip the onsen, the room's bath and shower have a great window looking out over the bay. I'd highly recommend Ofuna Onsen if you're staying nearby, even if you're not a long-distance hiker on the MCT.