Owase Seaside View

Getting here by train takes a little care: it’s a One Man train, so take your ticket on board and pay inside, since there’s no master at the station. Ask the Ryokan for a pick-up too. You could walk, but it’s included in the hotel cost. You can also try fishing, which might be nice with children. The area may not be a destination by itself, but this is a comfortable stop on the way to or from Kumano Kodo. The small Ryokan is thoughtfully designed, and the attention to detail can feel like a lot at times or heartwarming, depending on your point of view. The room was small but well designed. As at Ryokan generally, the service was great: they make your bed during dinner and clean the room while you have breakfast. Take the dinner option if you can. It’s expensive, as Ryokan meals often are, but special. They serve Kue fish, which is rare and expensive outside the area. Since the fish lives there and is available to them year-round, they use it in all sorts of dishes: boiled, fried, salted, sauteed, and more, so no part goes to waste. There’s a life-size picture of the fish in the halls, and it’s huge. The dining area also has a rather special view. The Onsen is the weak point. In summer it gets quite hot because it faces the sun, and since it’s made of glass, you may worry about being seen from outside. It’s not the best Onsen. Still, if you value very attentive hospitality and great food, and you’re traveling between Nagoya and Wakayama Prefecture, this could be a perfect stay.

I loved the bath, with its view across the bay. The room was spacious and quiet, with a beautiful view, and dinner and service were wonderful. I stayed a night here between Owase and Kumano while hiking the Iseji route of the Kumano Kodo. It’s a lovely place with helpful, friendly staff, and I’d love to return.

It’s a cute little inn by the sea, and there isn’t much around, but it works well for an overnight stop. The food package seemed pricey at first, but it was delicious and turned out to be incredibly good value. The service was very pleasant, better than at many large hotels.

The room was huge, the view was wonderful, and the train is close by. Staff and service were excellent, and there are beer vending machines. The shared shower and bath felt a little odd to us gaijin, but, you know, when in Rome!