I had a meal in a room with a nice view and a private outdoor bath. I was satisfied from the spinach appetizer to the end. I also ordered abalone as an extra, which was prepared in a unique way called "mizugai." The deluxe course included local fish dishes as well as meat, and even a yellowtail shabu-shabu. Although it was a kaiseki course, I was so full! The sashimi was perfectly aged and very delicious. But the highlight was definitely the simmered yellowtail in miso. It was so delicious that I wanted seconds! I couldn't eat dessert, so I made onigiri for a late-night snack. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal. I will definitely visit again since it's close by.

2nd day of the Kyoto trip in November 2022, the main highlight was enjoying Matsuba crab in Tango. We extended our trip from Kyoto city to visit Oku-Ine Onsen Aburaya Bekkan Watei, located deep in Ine town, about a 40-minute drive from Amanohashidate. All rooms come with outdoor baths. This time, we opted for the live crab course plan which includes one Tagged Brand Matsuba crab and one Snow crab, priced at 64,130 yen. Dinner was served in the room, with each course beautifully presented. The Snow crab sashimi was a delight, with two meaty legs that were irresistible. The Seko crab, packed with internal organs, eggs, and meat, was incredibly delicious. The thick slices of amberjack sashimi were impressive. Seafood from the Sea of Japan is truly wonderful. The crab chawanmushi, rich in crab broth, was full of flavor. Each person was served a generous portion of a high-quality crab. We were told that we could have the leftover crab sent to our home, which turned out to be a great decision. The grilled crab, with a quick sear on the legs, served with salt and lemon, was delightful. The crab hot pot was exciting, although we forgot to take photos in our excitement. Shabu-shabu the legs and enjoy the sweetness that intensifies when cooked. The crab tempura, with a light batter, was delicious. Despite being full, we couldn't resist the crab porridge, filled with plenty of meat. The dessert was a perfect ending to a night filled with crab dishes. It was a fantastic crab kaiseki dinner experience from start to finish.

Upon arriving at the Oyado Bekkan and Teishuku Inn in Kyoto in November 2022, we were greeted with traditional Japanese sweets and matcha in the lobby lounge. Each room comes with a private outdoor bath, which was perfect as the water temperature was just right - not too hot, not too cold. This is quite rare and appreciated. The breakfast was simple yet satisfying, including sashimi, two types of delicacies, two small side dishes, salad, mozuku seaweed, tofu, dried overnight fish, delicious rolled omelette, white rice, miso soup, pickles, and fruits. Although a bit far from Tokyo, this inn offers the opportunity to enjoy authentic crab dishes and is a great place to stay.

Oil shop annex, Watei-san. I felt like eating crab and a friend recommended Watei-san for crab. This place is known for its boat houses in the area of Ine. Crab is a specialty here, but Ine's cold yellowtail is also a specialty, so we changed part of the course and had yellowtail shabu-shabu and Kyoto beef lava grill. The cold yellowtail had a firm texture and was delicious. The Kyoto beef, although I didn't hear a detailed explanation, had a good meaty texture and was tasty. The snow crab was consistently delicious with plenty of innards. The grilled crab was large, with the meat removed and eaten with crab miso and hot sake, it was delicious. The broth for the hot pot was honestly average. By the time we got to the hot pot, we were quite full, so we decided to have the crab meat removed and put into the porridge. The porridge was delicious with plenty of crab broth and meat. Thank you for the meal.

I can't forget the yellowtail shabu-shabu I had for dinner. All the other dishes were delicious too, and the room had a open-air bath, making it a wonderful inn. It's hard to go because it's far from my house, but it's a place I definitely want to visit again.

After leaving Hashidate Chaya, we enjoyed a pleasant drive along Route 176 by the sea, covering about 20 kilometers north with few traffic lights. We arrived at Ine no Funaya, a scenic area with around 230 boathouses lining the bay, benefitting from gentle waves all year round. It was fascinating to see the two-story houses with boat garages on the ground floor along the water's edge. Struggling to find a sightseeing boat, we asked a local fisherman who kindly introduced us to a boat service. A friendly man in his 30s quickly arrived and took us on a boat tour, providing explanations of the unique town as we enjoyed the view from the sea. Afterward, we bid farewell to him and headed to our accommodation a few kilometers away. Having searched for a suitable place for our family with limited mobility, we chose a Ryokan with 11 rooms featuring private outdoor hot springs fed by natural springs. We opted for the "Live Crab Kaiseki" course, which included crab with tags, and requested a change to include Tajima beef steak with snow crab to avoid getting tired of eating just crab. Upon check-in at 5 pm, we were greeted with matcha and Japanese sweets. Our room, named "Sarusuberi," was located on the basement floor. The family enjoyed soaking in the outdoor hot spring bath, while I relaxed in the communal bath on the third floor before dinner. The meal was a feast centered around live tagged Matsuba crab, with a surprise grilled sea bream for my birthday. The dishes were delicious, and the sake from Mukai Shuzo, a local brewery near Ine no Funaya, was delightful. After a satisfying meal, we rested and then soaked in the outdoor bath again before retiring for the night. The next morning, we woke up to a breathtaking view of the Sea of Japan and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. The grilled dried flounder was a standout dish, and we even bought some as souvenirs. After one last soak in the hot spring, we checked out at 9:30 am, impressed by the cleanliness, spaciousness, and the stunning ocean view from the private outdoor bath.

In early April, when the cherry blossoms had unexpectedly fallen, my wife and I decided to take a rare weekday holiday and visit a hot spring. We stayed in a luxurious room with an open-air bath fed by spring water that was said to have sprung in 1994. The water was clear, odorless, but had a slight taste to it. The spring water was of the carbonic acid hydrogen salt type, known for its skin-beautifying properties. For dinner, we were served a variety of dishes including seasonal fish sashimi, steamed tilefish, Tajima beef sirloin, fried blowfish, vinegar-marinated snow crab, and sea bream rice cooked in a pot. The meal was accompanied by local sake called "Kyoto no Haru", which paired perfectly with the traditional Japanese cuisine. The dinner was exquisite and satisfying. The next morning, we enjoyed a similar set-up for breakfast, with a vegetable salad, assorted side dishes, and freshly cooked rice. The meal included dried flounder, homemade pickled herring roe, and miso soup with fresh yellowtail. The highlight was the sea bream rice cooked in a pot, which was delicious and comforting. The breakfast was a perfect start to the day. Overall, the dining experience at this hot spring inn was exceptional, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and traditional Japanese cuisine. The quality of the food, the peaceful atmosphere, and the attentive service made our stay truly memorable.

In the northern part of Kyoto, in Kyotango, there is a popular ryokan called Watei that offers stunning views of the Sea of Japan. The renowned chef at this ryokan, Watei, serves a variety of dishes using seasonal vegetables, fresh fish, and quality meat. I recently had the Deluxe Local Fish Kaiseki meal there, which included: - Aperitif: Yuzu sake, with a refreshing yuzu aroma. - Appetizer: Fresh rock seaweed. - Seasonal Appetizers: Assorted seasonal vegetables like edamame and sweet potatoes. - Sashimi: Assorted sashimi of local fish like sea bream, yellowtail, squid, and greater amberjack. - Soup: Salt soup with local white fish. - Hot Pot: Shabu-shabu of local rock oysters with cabbage, carrots, tofu, seaweed, green onions, enoki mushrooms, and oysters. - Grilled Dish: Tajima beef loin on a hot stone with butter, served with shiitake mushrooms and eggplant. - Tempura: Tempura of conger eel and sea bream, served hot and crispy. - Simmered Dish: Simmered Okinawan sea bream, perfectly balanced in flavor. - Rice Dish: Rice cooked with sea bream, which can be made into onigiri if there are leftovers. - Dessert: Seasonal fruits like melon, watermelon, Kyoho grapes, jelly, and a luxurious dessert platter. Every dish was exquisite and I highly recommend dining at Watei for a memorable experience. I look forward to visiting again in the future.

In celebration of a special day in March 2015, we decided to visit this ryokan. Located in the northern part of Kyoto, Ine Onsen ★ I wanted to visit Ine's boat houses once! Unfortunately, it was a rainy day when we arrived at 3:00 PM for check-in, but the ryokan staff were waiting with umbrellas in the parking lot. The Watei Bekkan has 11 rooms, each with an outdoor bath. We chose a plan that focused on quality over quantity for the meals. The menu included a pre-dinner drink, appetizer, seasonal dishes, sashimi, Ine yellowtail shabu-shabu, Tajima beef steak, fried rockfish, simmered blackthroat seaperch, tai fish kamameshi, soup, pickles, and dessert. We could choose to have dinner at 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM, and we first enjoyed a soak in the hot spring outdoor bath. The room service dinner started on time, beginning with fresh local sashimi. The squid that we couldn't finish was grilled with salt later on. Each dish was served slowly and freshly prepared. The plum trees added a lovely touch to the atmosphere. As a special celebration for our anniversary, we were treated to a complimentary salt-grilled sea bream. They even made onigiri with the leftover tai fish kamameshi for a late-night snack. The course focused on quality rather than quantity, but it was still more than enough for us. The breakfast was also satisfying with traditional Japanese dishes, although it would have been even better if the coffee was complimentary. Check-out was at 10:00 AM, a bit early, but we were very satisfied with the wonderful hot spring experience. Thank you for taking care of us.

After New Year's, I stayed at this ryokan to eat crab. At first, I hesitated because the price was quite high when making the reservation, but I decided to stay at this famous inn. The Oilya Bekkan has only 11 rooms, each with a private outdoor bath, and does not allow small children to stay, ensuring excellent service and a wonderful experience. The meals were kaiseki cuisine with a focus on crab and seafood from the Sea of Japan, starting with fresh crab sashimi and continuing with grilled and hot pot dishes, as well as delicious abalone and more. The crab miso was packed full and had a rich, delicious flavor. Everything from the location, service, and food was perfect. I would love to visit again next season.

I went to the winter Japan Sea to eat delicious food. Watei is a highly regarded inn known for its cuisine, where you can enjoy the finest seafood such as yellowtail. The plan includes a course called "Seeking Truth in Seafood - For Those Who Value Quality over Quantity" with a menu of various dishes including yellowtail shabu-shabu and Tajima beef. The sashimi of seasonal yellowtail is a must-try, as it is a different experience due to the firm texture and rich flavor of the fish. The yellowtail shabu-shabu is also exquisite! The transparent live squid was impressive, as well as the blackthroat seaperch and Tajima beef. Breakfast was also very satisfying. We enjoyed it slowly in the room's sunken kotatsu. It was a truly blissful time.

<<Access>> Oku-Ine Onsen <<Exterior, Interior>> Located on a small hill by the sea. The grounds are well-maintained. Limited to 11 guests per day. Stayed in a room with a massage chair. The most impressive aspect of this inn for me was the room's design. Well thought out. <<Ordered Item>> One night for 29,000 yen. <<Impressions>> I wanted to stay here once for sightseeing in Amanohashidate. The price includes dinner, breakfast, and accommodation for 29,000 yen. Dinner menu (relaxing crab kaiseki): - Aperitif: Yuzu sake - Appetizer: Crab miso with crab meat - Hassun: Crab and local fish sashimi (crab sashimi is delicious, local fish was probably flatfish and sea bream) - Steamed dish: Crab chawanmushi with plenty of lily bulbs - Grilled dish: Charcoal-grilled sweet crab - Hot pot: Crab sukiyaki with delicious broth - Fried dish: Tempura crab meat, surprisingly crispy and better than specialty stores - Whole crab: Boiled crab, took one home as a souvenir (additional 500 yen for a box) - Rice: Zosui, had a little because I was full - Pickles and clear soup, etc. Breakfast: - Tofu salad with ankake sauce (yuzu dressing) - Dried fish (was it small sea bream?) - Squid sashimi - Sorbet (yuzu) - Onsen egg (yuzu-flavored) - Sweet simmered bonito - Stir-fried konjac - Stir-fried dried baby sardines - Miso soup with crab - Vinegared dish with dried seaweed Breakfast was quite forgettable for the price. Not many warm dishes and quite disappointing. Personally, I think this inn offers a very high quality overall, especially in terms of hardware as it is still a new inn. Considering the cost, it is a "no-brainer" good inn. I will definitely repeat several times a year in the future.

On January 2nd, I enjoyed a morning bath at Ginnohana in Kinosaki, then checked out and continued along the coastline of the lonely Japan Sea. I was worried about lunch as there were no convenience stores or shops open due to the New Year holiday. However, I remembered a sign for Torimatsu's famous rose sushi, which I always buy at local fairs. I convinced my husband to stop and we bought some for lunch. We ended up splitting the rose sushi for lunch as there were no other options available. We then visited Urashima Shrine for our first shrine visit of the year. Due to heavy traffic, we had to cancel our plans to visit Amanohashidate and checked into our accommodation earlier than expected. We stayed at a separate building of the Aburaya Inn, which was considered more luxurious than the main building. Our room had a private outdoor hot spring bath and was spacious and bright. The view from the window overlooked Ine's boat houses. Dinner was a crab kaiseki meal, which was overwhelming for someone not particularly fond of crab like me. The breakfast was a delicious traditional Japanese meal served in our room. Overall, the stay was enjoyable despite the cloudy weather.

I had the meal included in the accommodation plan. Upon arrival at the ryokan, we were greeted with Japanese sweets and tea during the check-in process. After being shown to our room and enjoying the outdoor bath, we relaxed and had dinner. The food was just right, not too bland. The breakfast was quite filling. We enjoyed it while watching the morning sun. The local sake made from red rice called Ine Mankai was recommended for women as it has a sweet and sour taste. I saw on the website that a lovely woman is making it here.

I was rewarded by my husband with a trip to Oku-Ine's Watei after working hard. The room had a natural hot spring outdoor bath and a high-quality massage chair, which was truly relaxing. The magnificent view of the Sea of Japan from the window was amazing, and watching the fishing lights at night made me forget about the busyness of the city. The starry sky at night was also fantastic. The homemade dishes were delicious. I heard that you can eat plenty of crab in winter, so I would like to come back in winter (although it might be difficult with the snow).

From Aman to Oku-Ine Onsen, it took us 2 and a half hours by car, moving from the mountains to the sea. Before checking in at the inn, we took a sightseeing boat in Ine Bay to see the boat houses. My companion always insists on staying in a room with an open-air bath when we stay at hot springs. This time, we had a room with an open-air bath overlooking the Sea of Japan. The hot spring is a natural sodium-hydrogen carbonate spring that is directly sourced and the water feels soft and smooth on the skin. The temperature was just right and the quality of the spring was excellent. However, the inn had a somewhat undeniable old-fashioned feel. The room was spacious enough, but the atmosphere felt like a luxury inn in the countryside. We had a room-service meal. Being close to the sea, we expected fresh seafood, but some of it appeared to be thawed, which was disappointing. We even stopped taking photos. To be honest, the only good thing may have been the bath. The service was standard and we didn't feel much hospitality. My companion said, "Maybe Aman from Ine would have been better?" The contrast was just too extreme. I agreed with that sentiment (laughs).

Accommodation chosen by my partner. Check-in was at 3 pm, which was earlier. Upon arrival, we were served cold matcha tea and snacks to relax. After that, we were shown to our room where we found a large manju (sweet bun). It looked delicious, but I resisted eating it as I didn't want to spoil my appetite. We requested dinner at 6:30 pm, but I found it difficult to relax and do nothing as I'm usually busy. I decided to try two different types of sake with dinner, one with a strong name and one described as easy to drink. I preferred the strong one with a bold flavor. I couldn't finish the rice dish with sea bream, so they made it into rice balls for me to have as a late-night snack. Breakfast was filling, but I missed having my usual coffee, which left me feeling unsatisfied. In the end, I missed the chance to eat the manju.