Hotel Ragaso

The ocean-facing rooms were a highlight, and nearly all of them had a great heater. The service also stood out: unlike other chain hot spring hotels, they offer drinks outside the public onsen and snack bar hours, even though there's no ice maker. There's a ramen shop on the second floor with a great iso (seaside) ramen for 1,000 yen, loaded with crab claw, sea urchin, shrimp, kelp, and scallops. The hotel is near Tanohata station, but getting around to other places is difficult without a car.

The sunrise over the water was stunning, since the property sits right by the sea. The onsen was very nice, and the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. They went out of their way to make us comfortable and made the stay memorable. The food was average, and the dining rooms felt very basic. Tanohata station is about a 12-minute walk away, and they also offer a complimentary shuttle to the station.

The food was great, and the bath came with a sea view. Staff were very friendly, and the traditional rooms were comfortable. For a beachfront hotel, the value for money is hard to beat.

The setting is stunning, and there was plenty of delicious food. I stayed with my two children, who are more or less adults. The staff were really patient with us as foreigners who had no clue how things worked in a Japanese-style hotel.