Migiwaya — Hotel in Yaizu

Migiwaya was everything we could have ever wanted, and was also exactly what we needed. I wish we had stayed for more than one day and night. I didn’t know I had the ability to relax that much.

On our trip we went from Tokyo to Yaizu and walked from Yaizu Station to Migiwaya because we were 2 hours early. The walk was so enjoyable. Coming from hustle and bustle to a slower area on the water was an amazing experience. After we dropped off our luggage (which they put in our rooms for us before we got back), we walked over to the Hamatome swimming beach area. It was a lovely walk by the water and I highly recommend it. Once we got back to Migiwaya we went through the quick check in process, set up times for the shared private onsen, and were shown to our rooms. The rooms we stunning, each comes with a private Onsen and a beautifully set up garden area, or a view of the ocean if you are on the top floor. Even though each room has a private Onsen, they also let you spend 45 minutes in the shared private Onsen, which is a different experience itself. They provide delicious cold tea and the water was always flowing in the shared private Onsen. We almost passed on the shared private Onsen because we already had our own in our room, but I’m very glad we did not. The dinner and breakfast were both amazing. They pushed some of our western limits, but in the best way. Several of the dishes we tried were new to us, and all of them were delicious. Everything was ready when we arrived but at no point did we ever feel rushed. Putting on the Yukata for dinner and breakfast just felt right. It was incredibly comfortable and really added to the experience for me. Also the PJs they gave us were very comfortable, I wish I could have a set. The checkout process was quite smooth and we asked if we could be driven to the station. The owner of Migiwaya, Ken, personally drive us to Yaizu station. He was an amazing and kind person, and we really enjoyed our conversations with him. Ken, thank you so much for the best hotel stay I’ve ever had in my life. I can’t wait to come back and enjoy your...

We really loved the experience and honestly felt like one day wasn’t enough to fully enjoy everything the ryokan had to offer. We booked it right in the middle of our trip (while traveling from Osaka to Tokyo), and it turned out to be the perfect “pause” — a much-needed recharge after averaging 15,000 steps a day. The quiet, peaceful atmosphere was such a refreshing contrast to the crowded streets of Osaka and the nonstop pace of Tokyo. I thoroughly enjoyed the calm here.

The staff were incredibly kind — and I mean very kind. Their level of hospitality blew us away. One elderly lady was standing outside waiting to greet us when we arrived. Another staff member waited in front of the dining room to welcome us for dinner. An older gentleman even stood by the onsen entrance when it was time for our booking. So, definitely be on time — they take service seriously, and it’s a small but powerful display of Japanese hospitality.

They also spoke very good English, which was a huge relief after days of struggling to communicate elsewhere in Japan.

We’ve attached the dinner menu for reference. The signature dish was grilled fish — a bit too salty for my taste. The main dish, shrimp rice, felt a little basic, but overall the meal was good. I’d rate it around 3.5/5. Also, everything in the fridge is complimentary, and you should definitely try the local tea — it’s harvested right there in the area!

The onsen was beautifully maintained, and I was able to truly relax and forget about the world for a while.

The yukata looked lovely, though I would have appreciated a brief explanation — like its origin, how to wear it properly, and when it’s appropriate to wear. Just a little cultural context would’ve added even more to the experience.

There’s a sliding door that separates the living space and the beds, so it creates a nice private, cozy area to rest — very comfortable.

Oh, and I tried meowing a few times, but sadly, no cat appeared…

Don’t forget to grab the Doraemon snack on your way out! I know it looks a bit childish, but surprisingly, it was...

I stayed there over October 1st 2025... and really wished other travelers would stop posting pictures of the place, what they find pretty, themselves in the shower, etc... I get it, the place is gorgeous, but travelers are ruining the mystery and surprise for everyone.

From ordering the very exquisite Half-Board Dinner and getting the most delicious steak of deep-fried collar of what ended up being a South Seas Blue Fin Tuna (threatened-to-endangered), to the brisk morning air and natural private onsen, to the cutest cat (nekko) that came to visit while in the private outside hot onsen... Migiwaya was a magical place.

The room and service was beyond what one could desire, the meals they served in-house were the highlight of Japanese dining and shared communal onsen which each room gets a 45-minute private session per evening was wonderful.

Special note to drinkers when having dinner: the Japan pour of alcohol is 1oz, not the typical 1.5oz. Factor that in before deciding if a high-end spirit is worth it. Not on the menu, but the best drink there was a larger size of the Yuzu liquor they serve you as an aperitif.

From the van pick-up and drop off at the station, to the polite send-off, it was time well spent when commuting between Tokyo and Osaka.

Don't plan on doing anything while staying there, but...