Shokinkan

The location, right in front of the Shiranui Sea, was wonderful, and everything about the inn felt thoughtful and sincere. The food was satisfying, especially the fresh fish, carefully seasoned with dashi stock. Inside was clean, the futons were fluffy, and the service was warm and courteous. The inn exceeded my expectations. I’ll definitely come back! 🐟

I booked through Jalan for October 26, 2024, using the upgraded Matsukinkan Omakase Kaiseki Plan with a private bath, to enjoy Kumamoto’s local cuisine. It was 17,300 yen per person for a Saturday, limited to two groups per day. Such a reasonable price, I wonder if they’re even making money. We had a second-floor room, and the toilet was a little far away. The portions were just right and the food was delicious. We stayed because of the ginger festival at Toyo roadside station, and I’d like to return.

The food was delicious, the service was superb, and the red and plum wines were amazing. I give it 100 points, and I’m bringing my whole family back next year!

We stayed April 29-30, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 10:00 AM, on the one-night, two-meal “Matcha Nigiri Sushi” Plan. First, I want to thank the young owner and his family for looking after us so well. The stay was during heavy rain, but the friendly, attentive staff made it comfortable. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the first and second floors have mostly been reserved for two groups a day. Both baths, on the ocean side and the national highway side, are also reserved for each group to use privately, 24 hours a day. Sorry to the first-floor guests, but our group had the second floor, with its excellent view, to ourselves. At this time of year there are lots of blood-sucking mosquitoes, so be careful opening and closing the windows. I made the mistake of opening one wide to enjoy the pleasant night breeze and look out at the ocean, despite the screen door. It turned into a nightmare, lol. The inn gets its seafood from the sushi restaurant next door, where the young owner’s parents and younger brother are the chefs. The family runs the two places with good teamwork. After a bath, before dinner, you can even pop into the restaurant for a glass of ice-cold draft beer, lol. I looked in the fish tank, saw lots of shellfish and added a shellfish platter to dinner. I forgot to take a picture of the tempura! 🦐 Breakfast was a satisfying Japanese spread: dried horse mackerel, raw egg or grilled egg, Ariake seaweed, hijiki seaweed, burdock root kinpira and other salty side dishes. I ended up refilling my rice twice, lol. This is Shiranui Town. I heard the name comes from lights on the opposite shore appearing on the nighttime horizon like a heat haze. Only the second-floor rooms have this view. At midnight, you can open the snow-viewing shoji screens, lie on your futon and watch the mystical “Shiranui” fires along the coast. Apparently mid-September is the best time to see them. Usually it’s just lights on the opposite shore, but it was incredibly beautiful. If you stay on the second floor, check it out! 😃 Nearby sights include Eino Shrine’s Torii Gate, Shirakabe Street in the Matsuai district, and Yamaa Soy Sauce, where you can sample handmade soy sauce. We also enjoyed soy sauce soft serve. 🍦