Teisho Basaratei

The food was excellent, and we thoroughly enjoyed our two nights. The room-ocean suite suited the three of us well, with an open-air bath, good equipment, and a modern feel alongside traditional furnishings. Teisho Baseratei is a modern onsen ryokan, perhaps 15 years old, in a beautiful spot overlooking a sheltered bay. We were the only non-Japanese guests during our stay, and Kalani, one of the staff, took especially good care of us and spoke excellent English. There were several kinds of public baths to book, though we liked the one with the sea view best.

I spent one night here at the end of July 2025, and the worst part was waking up after a centipede crawled onto my head and stung me. It left the area painful and itchy, and the experience was frightening and upsetting. When I told the front desk and manager, they called it “normal” at their ryokan. I can’t accept that as normal for a guest who gets stung in their sleep, especially at a place claiming to be well-known or reputable. Other parts of the stay were disappointing too. The room was unbearably hot until after dinner, and the kaiseki dinner had significantly fewer dishes than ryokans in the same area and price range. To reach some onsen baths I had to cross a public road open to cars, which felt awkward and lacking in privacy. This was the worst ryokan experience I’ve had in Japan. I’d strongly advise thinking twice before booking, especially if you expect the safety and service of a well-regarded ryokan.

The dinners were a highlight, particularly the Ise shrimp and abalone, while breakfasts were good but somewhat repetitive over multiple nights. At over 200,000 yen per night for two rooms and four adults, I think Basaratei offers excellent value, and it’s one of the few places we’re genuinely looking forward to returning to. The resort sits on a serene peninsula with spectacular views, and its modern luxury design blends Japanese tradition with contemporary style. Staff were attentive and professional, and some spoke English, which made things easy for international guests. We tried all three private onsens, each with its own atmosphere and equally relaxing, as well as the semi-open-air onsen in our room. There are two lounges for relaxing, one spacious and dimly lit, the other right by the water with a breathtaking view. Both had complimentary drinks and snacks. Our generously sized room was beautifully decorated and well equipped, including a fully stocked fridge.

A minor snag at the start: we arrived by car at 4 p.m. and found nobody in the lobby, so we had to look around for someone to help with luggage. It took a while. After that, everything went wonderfully and we had a lovely stay. The hotel is beautifully designed and built, with big rooms and private baths, separate onsens you can book, and plenty of quiet spots to relax or reflect. Breakfast and dinner were wonderful, full of fresh seafood, quality meats, and produce cooked with real skill. Service was excellent overall, especially from serving staff Yasanthi and reception staff Kalani. One oddity was the lounge drink schedule, and some things were available in one lounge but not the other, so we had to do a little treasure hunting.