Albany inn Shirahama

We stayed one night while traveling down the coast. It was clean, there’s parking and transit nearby, and the host made us feel very welcome even though we speak very little Japanese. I’d read a comment about foreigners being charged an extra fee, but that wasn’t our experience as a group of Americans. Friendly place, and a great price.

The cafe attached to the inn serves lots of homemade cakes, and I’d definitely recommend them. Just plan ahead for supplies: there aren’t any convenience stores nearby, though a large supermarket is about a 15-minute walk away. The owners are very friendly, and the rooms are clean and comfortable. It’s a renovated traditional house that’s around 60 years old, just a three-minute walk from Shirahama Station. Bring your own pajamas, small towels, and toothbrush.

My twin room was for one person, so it felt spacious and comfortable, unlike a cramped business hotel downtown. Each room has its own clean toilet and shower, which is handy if you don’t like shared bathrooms. It’s a renovated wooden inn about 60 years old, near JR Shirahama Station. There’s not much right outside the station, and the inn isn’t close to the tourist spots or the seaside hot spring inns many visitors choose. Still, you can rent an electric bike there, so getting to the sights shouldn’t be a problem.

The owner’s wife makes lunch that’s worth trying. Her onion soup is sweet and tasty, and the curry rice is fragrant without being spicy. It’s different from the usual sweet Japanese curry, really appetizing, and reasonably priced. The owner is warm and friendly, and the rooms are clean, bright, and have enough outlets to charge several devices at once. Shirahama Station is very close.