Hiogiso

perfect place for quiet and authenticity all people are super nice food is great location is a you see onsen is super iwould go back anytime and eill recommand to all no hesitation take aboat tour of the bay breafast and diner are stunning

Very good place. Local good and onsen

This hotel is on a quiet inlet of the bay away from the day to bustle of the nearby village. A great place to go for downtime, with excellent food.

Great location and great view of the sea. Great value for the price.

Beautiful, peaceful spot right on Ago Bay. Delicious fresh food, friendly staff, great onsen, spotlessly clean. Awesome stay.

Been around Japan and still the best place to stay. Would travel the world over for another chance to visit

by far the best experience we have had to date in Japan, the owner was extremely kind and helpful and made the entire experience marvelous. we stayed for two nights and ate at the restaurant for both. The cooking was comparable to Michelin thee star restaurants and is not to be missed. Our room was upgraded to a suite overlooking the aga bay on both sides and could not have been more comfortable. The Japanese style room was impeccable and extremely comfortable, with a terrace overlooking the bay. The best part was the hospitality of the owner, Takanobu, who was extremely helpful and generous. One night we were the only guests there so we had the onsen all for ourselves. The second night he had a group of 30 people and closed off the onsen to other guests as well, an experience not to be missed. We also took a boat ride the second night and got a tour of the bay. Overall the experience was extremely relaxing and much needed after a week of temple touring in the Kyoto area. If I could give ten stars I would give eleven!

This is a traditional Japanese Inn type lodging. The view is spectacular and the environment is very much reminiscent of "old Japan." It's best to order the room with the meal plan because there are no restaurants nearby. The food is typically Japanese and fresh from the area. The hot spring bath is very comfortable and offers a view of the sea. They still cultivate oysters in the making of cultured pearls in the sea. The service is very friendly and they speak some English.

We had a very relaxing stay and felt that the owners of the inn were enjoying the rather hard business of operating an inn.

Located directly on the Ugata bay (the U in Ugata means cormorants which you will see around the bay). We had a nice surf & turf dyi barbecue with local seafood. The friendliness of Watanabe Takanobo-san was one of the highlights of our holiday - very open minded and interested in the guests. He is also an expert in pearls. The hotel is family oriented (play area for kids on terrace). Helps if you like dogs (we do) because the hotel has 3 of them. Recommend doing a boat trip directly from the hotel. Enjoyed the hot spring baths next to the water. Would like to spend more time in the area but would definitely take a car. Traditional rooms with futon beds. Very relaxing stay.

Located directly on the Ugata bay (the U in Ugata means cormorants which you will see around the bay). We had a nice surf & turf dyi barbecue with local seafood. The friendliness of Watanabe Takanobo-san was one of the highlights of our holiday - very open minded and interested in the guests. He is also an expert in pearls. The hotel is family oriented (play area for kids on terrace). Helps if you like dogs (we do) because the hotel has 3 of them. Recommend doing a boat trip directly from the hotel. Enjoyed the hot spring baths next to the water. Would like to spend more time in the area but would definitely take a car. Traditional rooms with futon beds. Very relaxing stay.

Located directly on the Ugata bay (the U in Ugata means cormorants which you will see around the bay). We had a nice surf & turf dyi barbecue with local seafood. The friendliness of Watanabe Takanobo-san was one of the highlights of our holiday - very open minded and interested in the guests. He is also an expert in pearls. The hotel is family oriented (play area for kids on terrace). Helps if you like dogs (we do) because the hotel has 3 of them. Recommend doing a boat trip directly from the hotel. Enjoyed the hot spring baths next to the water. Would like to spend more time in the area but would definitely take a car. Traditional rooms with futon beds. Very relaxing stay.

Located directly on the Ugata bay (the U in Ugata means cormorants which you will see around the bay). We had a nice surf & turf dyi barbecue with local seafood. The friendliness of Watanabe Takanobo-san was one of the highlights of our holiday - very open minded and interested in the guests. He is also an expert in pearls. The hotel is family oriented (play area for kids on terrace). Helps if you like dogs (we do) because the hotel has 3 of them. Recommend doing a boat trip directly from the hotel. Enjoyed the hot spring baths next to the water. Would like to spend more time in the area but would definitely take a car. Traditional rooms with futon beds. Very relaxing stay.

Located directly on the Ugata bay (the U in Ugata means cormorants which you will see around the bay). We had a nice surf & turf dyi barbecue with local seafood. The friendliness of Watanabe Takanobo-san was one of the highlights of our holiday - very open minded and interested in the guests. He is also an expert in pearls. The hotel is family oriented (play area for kids on terrace). Helps if you like dogs (we do) because the hotel has 3 of them. Recommend doing a boat trip directly from the hotel. Enjoyed the hot spring baths next to the water. Would like to spend more time in the area but would definitely take a car. Traditional rooms with futon beds. Very relaxing stay.

This ryokan has a wonderful view overlooking the ocean, the room that we stayed in was quite large with a separate sleeping area, living area and bathroom. The meals, both breakfast and dinner were excellent. The owners were very helpful and picked us up and dropped us off at the train station every day while we were touring around the area. We often stay in ryokans when we visit Japan, and this one would receive my absolute highest rating.

Beautiful hotel right on the waters of Ago Bay, with sweeping views from both our room and the indoor / outdoor onsen. Everything is made from gorgeous cypress wood. The ryokan owners and staff were so kind to us - picking us up at the train station, driving us to a lookout point, and sharing their love of Japan. (They can communicate in English too!) We had a wonderful, massive course dinner and lovely bento breakfast filled with local specialties and sea foods. It was so relaxing to sit on the deck and pet their nice dog while watching fishermen check their nets. It takes a bit of time to get here - but once you do you won't want to leave. The only thing we regret is not staying longer... Next time!

We had a fantastic time at Hiogiso.(Shell) Hotel owners could not have done more to make us welcome. Beautiful location right on edge of the inland sea.

My wife and I absolutely loved our relaxing stay, and wished we could have stayed longer. We parked our rental car in the hotel's spacious parking. We occupied the upstairs corner room with terrace and wonderful view over Ago Bay. The hotel is built on wooden stilts right on the water. You can see the famous oyster beds, boats and islands. The seafood themed multi-coursed Japanese dinner at the Bayside was delicious. There is a deck with a swing, ping pong and other games to enjoy. The cypress o-furo (hot tub) indoor and outdoor facilities with water from Ise are delightful, and are located in a building separate from the main house, next door, with view over the Bay. All facilities are kept very clean. In the early morning, I went swimming right at the guesthouse; the water is wonderful, but - beware - as getting out of the water, back on the pier is more difficult! The Watanabe couple are extremely good hosts. Watanabe-san has been in the pearl trading business for a long time, and this converted and expanded fisherman's house is his family home. His self-taught English is remarkably good. During the morning of our departure, Watanabe-san offered to take us for a boat ride, as he was bringing a family to a beach on a small island in the bay to swim, and we "tagged along". Rather than taking the quick way back, he took my wife and me for an hour along different islands. What a beautiful boat trip! I will not forget this peaceful place with its warm hospitality.

The ryokan is rather out of the way, but the proprietor brought me over in a mini van. Unfortunately, contacting him proved rather difficult, though I succeeded in the end. The view from my room, which was really two adjoining fairly big rooms, was amazing as it was just next to the bay. The food was delicious.

This is an amazing place. It is built on piers in the harbor. You can have a traditional Japanese tatami room literally 3 feet from the waters edge. This is on the site of a former pearl culturing business and in run by a husband and wife. The husband is proficient in English and both are excellent and accommodating hosts. I recommend staying in one of the corner rooms which have 2 sides facing the harbor. Also, take full board as the Japanese meals are well prepared. include a wide variety, and extremely interesting. The ryokan will provide transportation to and from Ugata Station. I cannot say enough good things about this place. I shall definitely be back.