NOTE: AS OF MARCH 2023 - IMAISO HAS CLOSED IT’S DOORS

An onsen ryokan set by the sea… direct access to the beach, with stunning ocean views of the Izu Islands from every room’s windows and a glorious open-air public onsen to relax in…. quite simply heaven.

Imaiso is a few mins walk from Imahaima Kaigan station on the Izukyu Local line or about a 15-20min walk from Kawazu Station (they also do offer a shuttle service from Kawazu but the walk is lovely!) It was a last minute decision (I booked this ryokan a day before I arrived?) as I had a work trip in the area and thought why don’t I go down, enjoy the good weather and just have a mini reset for myself before the work begins!

Have to admit gave myself quite a pat on the back when I arrived at Imaiso, and truly realised how lovely it was. All the rooms are incredibly spacious (68sqm!) with ocean views and there’s only one suite on the top floor (at a whooping 191sqm ) which apparently the Imperial family have been known to stay at.

THE VIEWS

From my room, a stunning sunrise to wake up too with views of Tokyo’s Izu Islands in the distance, for anyone who loves watching the sun cast it’s glow across the ocean waters, the view is truly spectacular.

IMAIHAMA BEACH

For beach lovers, Imaihama beach is literally at your doorstep. Though it was definitely not ocean swimming weather (well not for me), walking along the sand barefoot was absolutely divine and just sets this Aussie girl’s heart at ease. There’s something so grounding about bare feet touching Mother Earth.

MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS

FOOD

Due to these strange Covid times, if you wished for meals they had to be ordered in advance at least 2 days prior… I pretty much booked this place 1 day before heading down, so unfortunately I wasn’t able to experience their cuisine which is meant to be delicious.

ONSEN

I always love an outdoor onsen especially if they are rotemburo! Even better is when they have that smell of the ocean on the breeze! Perhaps because I’m Aussie, but there’s just something about the ocean… I need to go somewhere with ocean at least a few times a year. Their indoor bath is a good size, large and accommodating and deliciously hot! The onsen water is from a sodium chloride hot spring which is said to help you with neuralgia, muscle pain, arthralgia, frozen shoulder, rheumatism, chronic digestive disorders, poor circulation, fatigue recovery, post-illness recovery, gynecological illness, frail children, hemorrhoids, cuts, burns, chronic dermatosis, etc.

ROOM AMBIANCE

Perfect! A beautifully traditional Japanese style room, and so spacious! Probably one of the largest ryokan rooms I’ve stayed in so far. I love it when they have the ‘wide rim"‘ (seating area) and to have the majestic views of sunrise over the ocean was magical. The only thing that could make it even more impressive is if, one day, they ever create a room with a private onsen as part of it.

VENUE AMBIANCE

Imaiso is a larger sized ryokan (45 rooms), which sometimes I try and avoid but I’m so pleased I went and decided to try this place because just everything about it was so sweet and lovely. Granted I obviously went during a time when there’s not many visitors, but the serenity of the large rooms were amazing and to have the grounds open up to the ocean, with a koi pond and the sakura tree… well one can’t ask for more.

SURROUNDING AREA

Shizuoka area, especially around the Izu Peninsula has plenty to do from hiking trails to waterfalls, and Imaiso is wonderfully situated to not only enjoy the beach, but a perfect base to enjoy the early blooming Kawazu-zakura and nanohana, various other onsens and activities. It does help if you have a car, but if you just wish to see the Kawazuzakura, it’s a wonderful location to see it then be away from the crowds.

IMAISO FACTS (at time of stay)

• COST: generally ranges from 15000JPY+ per person however as it was Covid times, and booked last minute I paid 7000ishJPY (no meals)

• MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast & Dinner (generally yes, but with Covid, must be prebooked 2 days in advance)

• CHECK IN/CHECK OUT TIME: 1500 / 1100

• PAYMENT: cash & credit card accepted

• ROOMS: 45 rooms

• ENGLISH SPEAKING STAFF: AVAILABLE

• WEBSITE: IMAISO

• IG: @imaihama_onsen_imaiso (not very active)