Shirahama Onsen Pension Pocket

The owner was really kind, and the room felt just the right size. It had a tea set and some manga, too. There’s a convenience store right across the street, the bus stop for Adventure World is close by, and Kagerou Cafe is nearby as well.

Cockroaches. I chose this place specifically because I wanted a smoking room, passing over other hotels at a similar price, then found out from a ridiculous notice that every room is non-smoking. I had nowhere else to go, so I checked in, but the huge cockroaches showed up right away, doing their little flying stunts, and I ran straight out. They ignored my refund request completely. Fellow Koreans, get out of there.

Maybe I had some part in how things went, but the husband didn't come across as the nice person other reviewers described. He smiled, then made a few unnecessary sarcastic comments. They left me feeling really uncomfortable.

The owners were warm and friendly, and the room was spotless. Breakfast was tasty, especially the spaghetti that came with it. At the restaurant, partitions kept droplets from reaching other groups. They also took COVID precautions seriously: masks were required to enter the restaurant, and they checked temperatures at check-in. Some rooms combine the toilet and bath, but in Shirahama I’d suggest trying the outdoor baths. They supply bath towels to return to the pension, thinner towels for washing, and white supermarket bags to carry things in. You do need to bring your own towels to the outdoor baths. There’s a photo of the owner with former President Lee Teng-hui beside the entrance counter. I’d like to visit again!