Iseya Ryokan — Hotel in Unzen

From the moment we stepped into the room, we were enveloped in a sense of calm and care. The interior design is not only visually stunning but also deeply thoughtful—every detail feels curated to meet the comfort and preferences of each guest. The atmosphere blends traditional charm with modern elegance, creating a space that feels both luxurious and welcoming.

One of the most remarkable features is the in-room hot spring bath. Fed by a natural source and flowing continuously 24 hours a day, it was already filled and perfectly warm upon our arrival. Being able to relax in the soothing waters while gazing out at the ocean was an experience beyond words—truly serene and unforgettable.

The meals served at dinner and breakfast were another highlight. Each dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor, clearly prepared with great care and attention. You can feel the warmth and hospitality in every bite, as if the staff were welcoming us not just as guests, but as cherished visitors.

The location of the hotel adds even more magic to the stay. Situated directly across from the beach, every room offers a panoramic view of the ocean. Watching the waves from the comfort of the hot spring bath was a rare and peaceful pleasure.

The public spa area is equally impressive—immaculately clean, elegantly designed, and infused with the calming sounds of the natural spring water flowing in. It’s a space that invites quiet reflection and deep relaxation.

Altogether, this was not just a stay—it was a deeply restorative experience. The combination of beautiful design, heartfelt service, and the healing presence of nature made it truly special. We’re grateful for the care and effort that went into every aspect...

Loved this hotel. Easily the best accommodation we had this trip!

Shoutout to Kusano-san who patiently attended to my queries months before our reservation and was there to greet us, check us in and even attended to us during dinner!

Beautifully appointed rooms with all the typical ryokan features. Had both Western beds and a tatami area for futons so we had the best of both worlds. Great view of the Tachibana Bay! We spent many an evening there watching the sun set.

Incredible ensuite hot spring with a big window you can open to view the bay while bathing.

Traditional breakfast and fusion dinner were filling and absolutely delicious (Menu items change everyday if staying for consecutive nights). Even the kids found something to love off our dinner menu and they usually hate haute cuisine. The servers were extremely warm and attentive to our needs and we felt well taken care of.

While nothing to shout about, the public hot spring is clean and comfortable and we enjoyed using them. The rest area was also well kept and we found it a nice place to chill and read manga after using the public baths.

There are also many eateries located around Iseya if you are not dining in-house, and a Lawson just down the road. Quiet yet...

We stayed at Iseya a whole week while visiting my partner’s son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren in a nearby town. We have stayed in Obama previously for the same reason, and the town was just as nice as we remembered. But this was the first time we had stayed at Iseya, and we are so glad we did. The ryokan has been there for centuries but was rebuilt in 2019 and now has all the modern comforts. The in-room private onsen is fantastic, real geothermal spring water, and really hot. The views and sunsets over Tachibana bay are great and we enjoyed watching the local older people play “grand golf” on the town playing field opposite the hotel (with the bay behind) every morning at 7 am. But it is the staff who really make the place special, so friendly, despite our very poor Japanese, and several speak good English. We really felt welcome, despite being the only foreigners staying there on most days. The breakfasts are fantastic, no need for lunch, and different every day. We ate there just one night and the meal was equally good. The housekeeping was immaculate. Overall highly recommended, and although not cheap, not vastly expensive either and...