Hot Springs Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

I've been wanting to visit Shirahama for almost 10 years, so I picked this onsen resort, rumored to be among Asia's top 11. For Japanese onsen hotels, all-inclusive is a must! However, my overall experience was just so-so, probably because I've stayed at so many Japanese onsen hotels before. It definitely boasts an unbeatable sea view; I booked a garden view room, and when I tried to upgrade to a sea view at check-in, the front desk attendant said none were available. Yet, when I entered my room, I could still see the ocean! The sea view here isn't as breathtaking as in Izu. From Shirahama Station, there's no shuttle, so we had to take a taxi, which was about 2500 yen. The most impressive part of the hot springs here is the co-ed open-air ocean view bath – the scenery is truly incredible! The food was only decent, incomparable to what we experienced at Kusatsu Onsen, Yamato no Sato in Izu, Lake Kawaguchiko at Mount Fuji, or even Gero Onsen. The staff weren't particularly enthusiastic either. There were a lot of Chinese tourists, some from Hong Kong and Macau, but very few Japanese tourists, mostly elderly ones. This onsen hotel seems to be a popular spot hyped up by Chinese travelers! If you're only visiting Kansai, Shirahama is definitely worth a trip. But if you're going to other parts of Japan, it might not be worth making a special journey for.

The hotel is situated at a secluded corner of Wakayama prefecture. It is much preferable to drive here rather than relying on the infrequent hotel shuttle. Public transport is otherwise non existent. There are no restaurants around the hotel. However the hotel provides delicious meals with abundant fresh seafood. The in room dining experience is superb. The hotel staff service is impeccable. The room has a spectacular sea view allowing you to see the sunset on clear days. The onsen also faces the sea which provides a relaxing experience. A downside is that the hotel does not seem to sanitize the slippers for indoor use. All hotel guests had to change to their slippers to access their indoor facilities.

Facilities: Typical Marriott standard. I specifically booked a Japanese-Western style room to experience it, and indeed, the combination was a bit 'unusual'. The good thing is the tatami area can be used to store a lot of items! Cleanliness: Tidy and clean. Environment: Although many people complain about the 'hill' issue, since we took taxis up and down, I didn't feel the need to complain much. Walking up and down the slope without luggage can indeed be a bit tiring, but I just took it as exercise (I can understand other reviewers' complaints). Service: Very good! We arrived at Shirahama Station around 8 PM, and there were no buses, so we had to wait for a taxi. It was raining and snowing, and no taxi came for a long time, leaving us shivering from the cold… I called the hotel to ask if they could pick us up, and the lady at the front desk quickly arranged for a colleague to pick us up from the station! I'm very grateful for their 'help in time of need'! (No charge) Also, the front desk reception, breakfast guidance, and greetings were all very warm and friendly 👍 A good stay overall!

The room was very spacious and had no strange smells. The hotel staff even helped move our stored luggage into the room and provided complimentary snacks and water, which was a very thoughtful touch! The TV showed the occupancy of various public areas, which was super considerate. The hot springs were also very comfortable, with good ambiance and cleanliness. After a dip, they offered popsicles, which was a nice treat. There were two large bookshelves nearby where you could pick out your favorite manga to read, and right outside was the massage chair area – absolutely perfect! In the evening, they offered free late-night noodles that were quite tasty, and there was a self-service drink bar. The breakfast buffet had a wide variety of choices, and I even got to try local specialty sushi, which was a unique experience. There was an electronic scale at the stairwell for weighing luggage, which was very convenient. I'd love to visit again if I get the chance!

After a great stay at the Kuaian Hotel by the rice paddies, I decided to check out the Kuaian Nachiura store, which I'd been eyeing for a while. It was about a ten-minute walk with my luggage, and the hotel was right by the road, with cherry blossoms in full bloom. My room had a fantastic ocean view, and I could even see Bentenjima island from my balcony. I managed to catch the sunset on the beach, which was wonderfully quiet and peaceful – I loved it. In the evening, I enjoyed another relaxing hot spring bath. For breakfast the next day, we had a reservation for 8:15 AM, but I woke up early to catch the sunrise and thought we might be able to eat earlier. To my surprise, we were politely turned away and told to stick to our reservation time (it turns out breakfast is quite a formal affair!). We realized we were a bit too casual and were heading back to our room to wait when the friendly elderly gentleman at reception called us back and found us a table. We had a beautiful view of a corner of Bentenjima island while enjoying a very formal breakfast. It was a wonderful experience overall.

Really loved it! The hot springs were so relaxing, and the breakfast spread was incredibly generous. The view from the window was lovely. On the second floor, there are lots of entertainment options, including massage chairs and a wide selection of manga to read. Just a heads-up: the hot spring pools switch between day and night, so make sure you don't go to the wrong one!

A traditional Japanese onsen hotel with comfortable tatami mats. The front desk was very efficient and made an effort to speak English, which was a touching touch. The onsen has three pools, and they were almost always empty, with no other guests in the hallways. However, the dining area was quite crowded, with food being served in an orderly manner but quickly cleared. The beach is a one-minute walk away, and the water is crystal clear, with schools of fish visible near the shore. This is what a vacation should be like!

The rooms were large and unique. It was a detached house with a private bathroom, but it got a bit noisy with so many children. There was a skylight, so the morning sun streamed in, and those sensitive to sunlight shouldn't stay up too late. The entire hotel is situated on a hilltop, offering views of distant fireworks (they happened to be there when we stayed). The market below is a must-visit. Many of the guests were Japanese.

The hotel boasts a very convenient location, just under a 10-minute walk from JR Wakayama Station. Our room was spotless, and the public bath, featuring genuine hot spring water, was a truly relaxing experience. While the room wasn't huge, we managed to comfortably open two large suitcases after simply adjusting the table and chairs. This hotel offers fantastic value for money! As a side note, make sure to take the unique Kishi Line train from Wakayama – and don't forget to get your commemorative stamps!

We had a lovely 6-day stay at Shiraraso Grand Hotel with breakfast and dinner included. What stood out most was the personal touch in everything—something you rarely find in chain hotels. Every staff member works well as a team to ensure guests are comfortable, and we appreciated that throughout our stay. Our room was meticulously cleaned each day. The view was spectulae. We had good sleep because of the comfortable beds and pillow. The hot bath was a nice bonus, and we also enjoyed the free wine events. The buffet breakfast and dinner were genuinely impressive. Over six nights, the chef prepared nearly 10 courses each evening with almost no repetition. We truly appreciated the variety and effort. They accommodated our special request of replacing the sashimi dishes to cooked food. A special thank you to Mr. T. FUKUSHIMA. Due to my own mistake, I had booked a room with futon beds that we wouldn't have been able to use. He arranged a room upgrade for us (with a reasonable fee) and looked after us during our entire trip. His kindness and helpfulness made a real difference. Also, thank you to Miss S. OZAWA, who helped us with a few personal requests to ensure we enjoyed our stay. All the staff were polite and helpful throughout. We left feeling very well taken care of.