Nonohanatei Komurasaki

We stayed at Komurasaki for 2 nights, which provided a good amount of time to explore the surrounding sights. The inn itself was superb. The kaiseki dinner was excellent and different each night based on our preferences. The room was very traditional, everything was thought through and all of our needs were anticipated. The attention to detail really set this apart from a standard accommodation. The private hot spring bath faced a beautiful garden. Everything was very clean. This was a highlight in a trip to remember, highly recommend to others.

The staff at this ryokan were very kind and patient with us non- Japanese speakers. The dinner (served in the room, as was a very good breakfast) was mostly delicious - and what wasn’t delicious was interesting to experience! It was all good quality and beautifully prepared. The meal included a truly amazing steak, as well as a half lobster and much other local seafoods ( including the interesting sea snails!) and produce. The private Onsen bath was really nice. We used both the wooden indoor bath and the outside stone one, for which you could add extra cold or hot water to the natural spring. The little garden would be amazing to view in either spring or autumn, winter was a little sparse. We stayed one night and enjoyed both the ryokan and a walk around town, which is small but pleasant. We walked along perry rd and past that towards the harbour, where we enjoyed beer, good hospitality and freshly shucked oysters grilled in the shell from a shop with a large beckoning octopus on the front- if you come across it, go there! The ryokan is an easy walk from the train station- there’s a tourist info place at the station who will point you in the right direction. Only thing I’d change- the lighting in the room was quite bright, we turned off the main overhead lights but the staff kept turning them back on when they brought in each dinner course, so in the end we gave up.

We had two nights and were pampered in this lovely place. It's a little oasis not far from the station, quite easy to get to. Own hot pool, no public pools. The local town is scenic and quiet. Little if no English spoken, but they have a great system with a book used to translate common requests into English. Degustation style Japanese food was challenging but wonderful. Served in your room. Beware that the internet quote is always for 2 people per night despite the 2 nights requested. So the rate is about Y68,000 for two per night (May 2014). Highly recommended. This is a popular holiday destination so there are lot of interesting bars and cafés in the town. The train past Ito is private so you have to pay if your using JR. NO Internet at all, and hard to find in town. Lots of Mosquitos, so could worry some. We loved the whole experience.

You will never forget your stay at Nonohanatei Komurasaki. The moment you walk through the entry garden you know you are in for a special experience. We were greeted with tea and asked to select the type of flowers we would like in our room. As we walked to our room we were greeted by the ryokan's cat, who patrols the halls and gardens. The rooms are huge and have every amenity including games for adults and children. Each room has its own private garden with a soaking tub. There is also a large wooden tub and shower in each bathroom. We were served outstanding food on a stunning collection of handmade pottery. Each meal we took there was an event. The menu leans heavily toward seafood, but if you request a vegetarian selection they will accommodate you in style. They even make up a snack box of musubi and leave it for you should you hunger for a midnight snack. Only a few members of the staff speak English, but if you just go with the flow of things you will be continually delighted and the language barrier will seem unimportant. The hotel is an easy three or four minute walk from the train station. When we left, they insisted we be given a ride to the station and the entire staff lined up to wish us a warm farewell. It felt as if we were leaving family.

This is a small ryokan - 5 rooms only. It might be not the freshest ryokan out there, but the service is impeccable, as far as ryokans go. The food, thanks to the proximity to the sea and the rich fishing history, is very focused on local ingredients and it's great. Unlike traditional onsen ryokans, this one does not have a common onsen, but each room has it's own individual one in the small garden adjusted to the room. Also each room has it's own kotatsu for the cold winter season. All in all I can highly recommend this ryokan.