What is Izu-Inatori Onsen?
Izu-Inatori is an onsen village found on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula
and there are around 18 ryokans in this area on a small point that juts out of the peninsula.
It takes about 2 and a half hours to get here from Tokyo on the limited express Odoriko train,
and as it is located in the middle of Izu, it is a great place to stay when visiting the prefecture.
Delicious splendid alfonsino caught off the coast of Izu Oshima
The local specialty of this onsen area is a type of fish known as the splendid alfonsino,
a deep sea fish that lives at a depth of 200 – 800m.
It is extremely delicious, and although it is a high-end fish that costs 300 yen or more in Tokyo for just one slice,
this ryokan offers a variety of dishes containing the splendid alfonsino allowing you to really taste the fish.
Try the ‘Boiled Splendid Alfonsino and Shabu-Shabu Dai Manzoku Plan’
If you would like to eat your fill of the splendid alfonsino, then this is the perfect plan
and includes boiled splendid alfonsino, shabu-shabu, gratin and other fried foods.
Of course, it also includes 12 other items, including appetizers, grilled fish and a sushi boat containing sashimi items made with local ingredients
which are served on a plate shaped like a boat.
Prices start from 14,000 yen (excluding tax) for 2 people using 1 room on a weekday.
This ryokan is able to set such low prices because of the bidding rights they have with the Inatori Fishery Cooperative,
allowing them to purchase the fish for a cheaper price.
First up is the most common dish, boiled splendid alfonsino
The boiled splendid alfonsino served at this ryokan is delicious.
The meat has a springy and firm texture which explodes with flavor once you start to chew,
and the best part is the moment the sweet layer of fatty flesh between the skin and the meat melts in your mouth.
The fish is seasoned with a sweet soy sauce and if there is plenty of white meat, you won’t be able to stop eating.
One fillet of the boiled splendid alfonsino is enough for two people, but for more than 3 people it is cooked in a way that preserves the whole body of the fish.
The most delicious part of this fish is by the pectoral fins,
an area which works hard when the fish swims creating an enjoyable and distinctly springy texture.
You will have to decide amongst yourselves who will get to eat this part.
Shabu-shabu makes the splendid alfonsino even sweeter
Shabu-shabu is made by quickly cooking thin slices of the splendid alfonsino in hot water and then dipping the slices in ponzu, a type of bitter orange juice.
The cooking time is very fast and the meat can even be taken out of the water while it is still slightly raw.
If you do this, it will be light pink in color and have the slightly crunchy texture of sashimi with the springy and firm texture of boiled fish.
Dip it into the ponzu and breathe in the refreshing and delicious smells before enjoying the moment that the meat slips down your throat.
An original fried recipe popular with the regulars
The two dishes mentioned above are common splendid alfonsino recipes,
but the fried splendid alfonsino is a dish that is unique to this hotel and was created by its owner.
Fried in a herby batter, it is eaten with flavorful vegetables and a dressing.
With a crispy crunch and the fragrance of herbs, as well as a refreshing dressing, this is certainly not a boring dish.
As this dish comes out at the end of the course, you will probably be full up already and think that you’ve had enough of the splendid alfonsino,
but do not worry – this dish is completely different and you will want to eat every last crumb.
Of course there are other dishes included, such as various sashimi,
which use seasonal and fresh ingredients to guarantee a delicious and enjoyable evening meal.
Listen to the waves from an ocean-view room
The building itself is about 20 minutes by foot from Inatori station and is located by the sea along the east coast of the Inatori onsen area.
If requested in advance, there is also a pick up and transfer service from Inatori station.
The lobby is decorated in a pretty folk-style décor, and from the end of January to the end of February, you can also see a collection of hanging doll decorations.
These decorations are a type of hina doll made of several dolls strung up to pray for the healthy growth of children and are a specialty of Inatori.
The Hinamatsuri, or Doll’s Festival, is an annual event held on March 3 and in Japan.
The whole town is covered in these hanging decorations from the end of January to the end of March.
The ocean-view room has a lovely open feeling
There are 7 guest rooms in total and although each one is slightly different, they all face the ocean and offer an excellent view.
In 2010, room 201 was renovated and turned into a 20 tatami mat room,
combining a space of 10 tatami mats in Japanese style and 10 tatami mats in western style.
This room is for groups of 3 – 6 people.
There are only 2 beds, and so the other guests are to use the futons provided.
For 3 people on a weekday, this room costs 18,360 yen, including tax and the Dai Manzoku dinner plan mentioned earlier.
There are also 2 rooms which are modern Japanese style with twin beds, and 4 Japanese style rooms.
These range from 8 – 10 tatami mats in size, and cost 15,120 yen for 2 people on a weekday, also including tax and the Dai Manzoku dinner plan.
There is also a smaller dinner plan available which includes either the splendid alfonsino or the shabu-shabu and which costs 14,040 yen, including tax.
Whichever room you choose, they all have a sea view allowing you to spend the night listening to the roar of the ocean.
Salty hot springs unique to the coast
There are 2 onsen at this hotel, one outdoor bath built on the rooftop and an indoor bath on the first floor.
Which bath men and women can enter changes, and from check-in to 11pm, men have the indoor bath and women have the outdoor one.
Then, from midnight to check-out, they swap over so that men have the outdoor bath and women have the indoor one.
The indoor bath can be used by up to 5 people and has been made from stone,
while the outdoor bath has been built on the roof and offers an excellent panoramic view.
This outdoor bath is definitely the best, but because of the change in who can use it,
women only get to enjoy twilight and the night sky while men can only enjoy the sunrise.
The hot water is taken from the coastal hot springs making these onsen salty.
The hot water is supplied using a circulation and filtration system which means that although it is not fresh,
your body will warm up right to the core when immersed in the salty water and you will stay warm for a long time after.
How much is it for children?
If you would like to take your children on holiday as well, then they do have a child’s price but only for those aged 12 years and under.
• Child price A includes food of similar portions to the adult menu at 9,180 yen (including tax).
• Child price B provides child sized portions for 6,480 yen (including tax).
• For infants (aged 3 – 4 years) food is not included and costs 2, 160 yen (including tax). They should share a futon with their parents.
• For babies (aged 0 – 2 years), it is the same as infants with no food or futon, but it is free for them to stay.
Please prepare and bring your own food for your baby.
If you are staying several nights, choose the breakfast plan for the second night!
When visiting Izu, there are no business hotels from the Ito city to the south but there are plenty of resorts.
It is also worth noting that the business hotels in Ito are not the best…
This ryokan offers plans which include no food or only breakfast.
The breakfast plan on a weekday for 2 people in one room costs 7,020 yen for adults and 5,400 yen for children (including tax).
With no food, it costs 5,400 yen for adults and 3,240 yen for children (including tax).
The food served at this ryokan is not to be missed so if possible choose the plan with meals included.
However, it is also a good place to use as a base for sightseeing around Izu, so we also recommend the breakfast and stay-only plans.
JAPAN Travel Concierge
Qlip