Onomichi View Hotel Seizan

It’s a quirky, memorable little hotel with a vintage feel, much more soulful than the modern, sterile business hotels in Japan. The owner was exceptionally kind. After I hauled my suitcase up the VERY steep hill at night, he saw I looked close to fainting and brought me a cup of water. I’d sweat more climbing that hill than biking the Shimanami Kaido the day before. The views of Onomichi are phenomenal, and I enjoyed a traditional Japanese breakfast for a small extra charge. A pleasant stay at a great price.

The ocean view from our room was beautiful on a sunny day, and the staff were nice and helpful. Just be aware the hotel is well up a steep hill. For the quality, I found it a little overpriced.

The innkeepers are kind, the rooms are inexpensive, and the view is gorgeous. Getting there means a significant walk up the mountain, since the lift isn’t working during corona. It’s worth the climb, and you’ll meet lots of cats along the way. There’s an attached restaurant, though I haven’t tried it. The hotel is a bit retro, with NHK radio buttons on the bed, which adds to its charm. The bed was comfortable too.

The Thai food was fantastic, and the views of Onomichi were lovely. The hotel isn’t modern, but the staff do a great job keeping it clean and making the atmosphere warm and friendly. They were super helpful throughout my stay, and the welcome when I arrived made a great first impression. I’ll definitely stay here again.