Hamachidorinoyu Kaisyu

This is my second time here, and I feel the service wasn't as good as my last visit. Last time, someone even escorted me to my room, but this time it felt more like a streamlined process. They offer free beer from 3-5 PM, so you can check in a bit early, grab a drink, and then head out. It's a bit of a walk to Shirahama Beach, but it's manageable. However, the views are truly breathtaking. Even though the room's bath uses tap water, soaking while looking out at the sea is very relaxing. The large public bath was practically empty; I pretty much had it to myself in the mornings. The co-ed section offers amazing ocean views, and it wasn't crowded either. Many people have mentioned that dinner isn't great, but perhaps they're comparing it to high-end Japanese restaurants. Honestly, it was pretty decent. The standard set menu included an abalone and a sukiyaki with local black beef, so there was plenty of food. For breakfast, I recommend the Japanese style; it has more variety, while the Western option is mostly bread and ham.

I had high expectations based on the many online reviews, but honestly, for a local hot spring inn, the service was just okay. Its main draw is the rooms with sea-view hot springs. The location is excellent; you can walk to several famous attractions. The hotel doesn't have a place for lunch or dinner unless you make a reservation. The hygiene in the mixed-sex bathing area felt a bit subpar.

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.

Staying in the 'Akatsuki-no-sho' ocean-view king room with half-board at 'Hama Chidori no Yu Kaishu' was absolutely incredible and such great value for money! The unobstructed Pacific Ocean views from the room's window were truly therapeutic. The hotel's biggest highlight is definitely the open-air mixed-gender onsen facing the ocean – soaking there while gazing at the sea was incredibly relaxing. The service was also exceptionally attentive and genuine! Both the breakfast and dinner included in the half-board were of very high quality, and we left feeling completely satisfied. Overall, the value for money is outstanding, and I will definitely return when I visit Shirahama again!

This onsen hotel in Shirahama-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, is primarily renowned for its breathtaking 'ocean view hot springs.' Boasting open-air, mixed-gender baths directly facing the Pacific Ocean, the panoramic views are truly spectacular, and the experience of soaking in the springs with the sea right in front of you is unforgettable—a timeless signature feature. Additionally, the hotel offers several 'kashikiri-buro' (private hot springs) that require queuing for a key, adding an option for more private bathing. However, in other aspects of the experience, the hotel generally falls short, failing to fully match the grandeur of its views: • **Mediocre Service**: Compared to the meticulous and heartfelt 'omotenashi' (hospitality) typical of traditional Japanese ryokans, Haishu's service feels more process-driven and standardized. While the staff are polite, they lack proactiveness, giving it the feel of a large resort rather than a cozy private inn. • **Many Elderly Guests**: The hotel is very popular among older tourists, which contributes to a lively and mainstream atmosphere, lacking some of the tranquility and elegance one might desire. If you're seeking a quiet getaway for two, you might find the environment a bit noisy. • **Unremarkable Dining**: Reviews for both dinner (kaiseki cuisine) and breakfast, included in the 'one night, two meals' package, are generally 'average.' Although local specialties (like Kishu plums and Kumano beef) are highlighted, the actual taste and presentation are only mediocre. It's worth noting that it's 'not as bad as some online comments suggest,' falling within an acceptable range, but it doesn't offer any surprises and falls short of the dining standards found in top-tier onsen ryokans. **Summary**: If you're going solely for the stunning ocean-view hot springs, Haishu is definitely worth a stay—the natural scenery there is unparalleled. However, if you have high expectations for service details, dining quality, or a quiet atmosphere, this hotel might only offer an 'average' experience, and you should adjust your expectations accordingly.

Excellent service! The environment is fantastic 👍🏻 and dinner was great! I'll definitely choose this place again next time I'm in Shirahama.

This hotel is absolutely fantastic. ● Upon check-in, there's a Chinese-speaking guide (a Chinese-speaking staff member introduces everything about the hotel). ● The hotel offers two types of yukata, and for one of them, you can choose your preferred pattern. ● The hotel provides complimentary limited-time plum juice, snacks, and ramen. ● The hotel offers two types of private onsen services for free. There isn't much difference between them, just the size and shape of the tubs. Each session is 40 minutes, and you can book multiple times on a first-come, first-served basis. ● Besides the private onsens, the hotel also has mixed-gender onsens (with provided bathing attire), a men's onsen, and a women's onsen. ● The hotel offers dining, but it's a bit pricey. You can choose nearby restaurants instead (the picture is of the breakfast I ordered). ● The hotel is close to Senjojiki, Sandanbeki, and Saki-no-yu. If I visit Shirahama again and the price is right, I would definitely stay here again.

The hot spring experience was fantastic, and the room was very clean, although the facilities are a bit dated. They offer a late-night snack, and the ramen was absolutely delicious. I'll definitely come back again.