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It was nice to get away from the tourist areas for a time. Might be a challenge for non-English speakers but the staff was super-friendly and the outdoor onsen with a view of the ocean is worth it. Not really near anything but the staff drove us to a restaurant and we took a cab back. We visited Himeji before we arrived but didn't want to stay anyplace there so used a locker and then stayed the night in Ako. It is away from the Shinkansen line but not too far, take a taxi from the station. 2 outdoor baths, 1 open air and the other inside with a window. they swap access for male and female in the AM and PM so you can see both if even there for a day.

Fantastic Onsen - great for a single night stay. Large, and beautiful hotel, with fantastic views of the ocean. There are two public baths - an outside bath and an inside bath. These two baths switch between the genders every day. The baths are wonderful and hot, and have great views (even the inside bath) of the ocean. The staff are incredible and spoiled us (I'm used to staying in business hotels, and having tea brought to us, and our bags carried was a real treat). Most of them have limited English so I imagine this hotel might be a bit difficult to stay at if nobody in your party speaks basic Japanese. Breakfast was also a treat. I particularly enjoyed the tofu!

旅館としては全体として問題なく非常に快適でした。食事も料理旅館というだけあって、夕食朝食とも大変美味しかったです。夜と朝で男女入れ替えの岩風呂と露天風呂は道路を隔てて外風呂になりますが、近いので全く問題ありません。岩風呂は少し狭いですが、露天風呂は広く景色もよく快適でした。ただ、洗い場はそれぞれ４か所で少なく狭かったです。又、利用したいと思います。