Ryokan Hisada

This feels like a luxurious fisherman's inn, with incredibly delicious food. We ate so much we were stuffed, including a spiny lobster course, pufferfish sashimi, and cod roe. If you're after a private open-air bath or elaborate cuisine like you'd get at a high-end inn, this might not suit you. But if you want to fill up on fresh, delicious seafood, I highly recommend it.

I was so happy that the owner accommodated my unreasonable requests during the stay. He was kind and lovely, chatting with me on the shuttle ride to and from the inn. I requested a 6-tatami room with a toilet, but was given a larger, very comfortable room. I asked for a shuttle from Ugata Station, and the ride took about 20 minutes. I came hoping to try Anori fugu, and the course was so generous that two people couldn't finish it. The shirako chawanmushi melted in my mouth, and the grilled shirako, fugu chiri, tetsuna, grilled fugu, and fried fugu were delicious too. You can save the fugu zosui for breakfast the next day if you're too full. The homemade plum wine was refreshing with soda and went well with the meal. Breakfast's fugu porridge with fugu jelly was amazing! The bath had gentle well water that was kind to my skin, and the spacious tub warmed me up. For a bit of exploring, Anorisaki Lighthouse is a relaxed 2-3 minute walk away and has spectacular ocean views. There's a great cafe nearby that sells delicious local kinkoimo potatoes. It's open from 10:00 on weekdays and 9:30 on weekends, and you can shop for good souvenirs there. Anori Shrine is also an easy 3-4 minute walk away. It has lovely amulets, including ones for people who want to ride the wave of life, and the chief priest has a warm personality. Hisada Inn serves abalone and wild prawns in summer, and spiny lobster from October. I'd definitely like to return in another season.

The food was delicious, and everyone praised it. The air purifier was very good. Still, the 10-tatami room had a broken toilet lock, and the bidet toilet seat was out of place. The lighting was dim, which makes using the toilet at night dangerous for elderly people. It would be good to fix that. I'd also like a dustpan in each room for hair and dust, and a futon dryer, even a cheap one, because the futons were cold in winter. They could keep a couple of dryers at reception and lend them to anyone who needs one. Some of us love breakfast most and would like an extra item, perhaps if the price went up by 1,000 yen, for example. I'd also like extra miso soup. Everyone said they'd want to keep coming back if these things were improved. Please consider it.

The room was Japanese style, and sitting on just the low table and cushions was uncomfortable for a couple with bad knees. A small table and chair by the window would have helped. It was useful to have a room with a toilet, though I wish there'd been an empty refrigerator. I came because I wanted to eat pufferfish, and this was my first full-scale Buku course. I won't comment on the taste since that's a matter of personal preference. The quarter of a Hassaku orange served for dessert was disappointing for a 20,000 yen course. I wish they'd put a little more thought into it.