Shirahamakan

“Fantastic food and hot spring”

Even if you come just for the food it's worth it! We had Kaiseki for both nights and had really good lobster sashimi, abalone sashimi and shabu shabu beef. Everything was amazing and we were so full after each meal. The public bath had 4 onsens! The onsen water has a little ammonia smell due to th… more

Even if you come just for the food it's worth it! We had Kaiseki for both nights and had really good lobster sashimi, abalone sashimi and shabu shabu beef. Everything was amazing and we were so full after each meal. The public bath had 4 onsens! The onsen water has a little ammonia smell due to the minerals in the water. The onsen water is smooth and silky. Service was great and most staff has been there for ages. Little English spoken but they try. Note that this is an old hotel so don't expect things to be sparkly, but what they offer is honest service and food

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“Old school, Old and Worn, Funky, Yet Over-priced”

Places like the Shiraramakan hold a special place in my heart. A place that is definitely a bit twisted, that appreciates the old and funky, even when the old and funky are rather grotty and worn-out. Shirahamakan is a mid-size hotel overlooking - but not on - the beach. Rooms are Japanese style… more

Places like the Shiraramakan hold a special place in my heart. A place that is definitely a bit twisted, that appreciates the old and funky, even when the old and funky are rather grotty and worn-out. Shirahamakan is a mid-size hotel overlooking - but not on - the beach. Rooms are Japanese style, and some have a private onsen outdoor bath, which is quite a delight. This is in addition to the separate men's and women's baths that are available to all hotel guests, and the funky foot bath area near the back of the hotel. Service is excellent. The meal servers are a delight, and the two guys working the front desk are a hoot. Be warned, very few of the staff have any English, though they do try. Certainly their attempts at English were far superior to my attempts at Japanese. I can also say the food is delicious, served in the dining room or your guest room in traditional Japanese manner. Almost too much food. So, the down side. The hotel is worn, rather badly. There are holes in the carpet, the paint is dinged up, and the whole place has a slight feel of better days long since gone. The layout and feel of the hotel is one that was rater small and nice once, was added on to rather haphazardly during some boom time, and is now being let go. There is free wifi, but only in lobby, which is almost unforgivable in this day and age. The other down side is that for this, the prices are rather higher than they should be. And yet it appeals to the weird corner of my brain. I'm actually enjoying my stay, thought I wouldn't come here again.

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