Hyojiya

The landlady’s quick, lively conversation was a highlight, and the inn’s spot near Ishigami Shrine and the coast is very convenient. Though the building is old, it’s kept clean and the toilets have been renovated, so it felt comfortable. For around 15,000 yen on a weekend, we got plenty of fresh seafood. Drinks were reasonably priced too, about what you’d pay at an izakaya. If I’m staying in the Ise-Shima area again, I’d be glad to come back here. (^-^)

The meals were a hit with everyone. Dinner had a boat-shaped platter along with lots of other dishes, and my friends and family left completely full. The fried food was piping hot, the rice was delicious, and breakfast offered so many choices that people were asking for seconds. If there was sand in the bath, it was cleaned promptly. We came for our usual two nights and three days over Obon, with a larger group than normal, and the young proprietress and the rest of the staff welcomed us back warmly. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, disinfectant wipes were provided around the inn and precautions were in place. We couldn’t chat for long in the busy season, but the proprietress, the young proprietress, Nakai-san, and everyone were so kind. Their warmth is different from what you get at a hotel. We’ve known them for a long time, and I’m grateful that the service stays just as good. I hope we can keep hearing “Welcome back!” when we leave. Hyojiya is always where we make fun memories. Thank you, and please take care as the mornings and evenings get cooler.

The bath was so hot I couldn’t soak, and the changing room was terribly stuffy. With just two fans, there wasn’t much way to cool down, and I felt bad for the kids since they couldn’t get in the tub either. This was our second family Obon trip. I was glad to find the restrooms clean this time, and the food tasted good. Still, despite what some other sites say about portions being too huge to finish, that wasn’t our experience. The adult rate had risen to 17,600 yen for Obon. At that price, I felt I might as well spend a little more and choose a hotel.

The proprietress and her son pitched in during the busy New Year period, and the whole group was cheerful and welcoming. We came as eight people across three generations, after my parents had been talking for a while about the inn’s lavish seafood. There was a whole spiny lobster sashimi for each person, grilled and fried oysters, boiled fish, plenty of other dishes, and two boat-shaped sashimi platters, with flounder and striped jack this time. It was an overwhelming amount, and we all enjoyed it. We went to Ishigami Shrine, about five minutes away on foot, for our first shrine visit of the year, then saw Toba Aquarium the next day. We’d definitely like to stay again. Just keep in mind this is a guesthouse, so the rooms don’t have their own bathrooms or toilets.