Nishinagato Resort

The balcony views were amazing, though the whole place felt like stepping back in time. It had the feel of a huge 1970s waterfront motel, maybe a resort by 1970s standards, but definitely not a resort now. The food was only average, and cheap frozen items were served as if they were fresh. For the price, there are plenty of better options.

We only stayed one night, but I’d like to come back for longer. The staff were great, and the restaurants and facilities were good too. We arrived after dark, so I didn’t realize how beautiful the view was until morning. The floor-to-ceiling windows brought in lots of natural light and looked out over the island. The hot spring had just as good a view, especially in the morning. A great resort hotel with fantastic views and facilities.

The flowers were a lovely welcome, but the price was far too high for an old Showa period hotel. Our Western-style room was a surprisingly long walk from the entrance, and the window looked onto a bridge with a strange hotel structure in front of it. The room was lackluster and the food decent, but the whole stay cost much too much.

Shoji-san, the energetic and friendly manager, and the team were very helpful. The inside Ofuro was lovely, and the rotenburo overlooking the Japan Sea was exceptional. The beach is very clean, and the sunset over the Japan Sea is spectacular. It’s also well placed for the beach, Tsunoshima island, and the Japan Sea. The Western-style rooms are small and face the back of the property. They cost less, but I think it’s worth paying more for the larger, nicer Japanese-style rooms, which all look over the Japan Sea. There’s a temple a short walk up the hill, Jodoshu Tsukunokusushitozan Temple. It’s the last temple on the 88 temple walk in Yamaguchi Ken, not the better-known 88 temple walk on Shikoku. Old paths behind and beside the temple run through dense bamboo forest. Check Google maps if you want to try that adventurous walk.