Imaiso
NOTE: AS OF MARCH 2023 - IMAISO HAS CLOSED IT’S DOORS
A 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.
A RELAXING STAY AT IMAISO
I was given the corner room 808, it was such a delight sliding open the heavier traditional doors (after I figured out how to use the antique key!) and stepping across the cooling black pebblestones of the genkan to the first glimpse of my bedroom, to opening up into the tatami room then the sliding of the doors to the sitting area with it’s ocean views and a little balcony too! My room also had a private bathroom.
From my room, a stunning sunrise to wake up too with views of Tokyo’s Izu Islands in the distance
EXPLORING THE GROUNDS
I absolutely adored that Imaiso grounds open straight out onto a quieter section of Imaihama beach, with a stairway leading down from the foyer under a chandelier to soothing instrumental music… then to discover a koi pond on the ground floor where you open a door, step outside and your senses are tickled by the smell of fresh ocean air, the sound of the waves and the sight of a beautiful kawazu-zakura tree in bloom.
Imaihama beach 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.
WALKING FROM IMAISO TO KAWAZU
Imaiso is located the next town over from famed Kawazu, however it’s a sweet 15-20 min walk from the Ryokan along the beach and via the road to get there. You can start your walk be leaving Imaiso’s grounds onto the beach, then stride along until you no longer can (unless you want to go into the ocean/clamber over rocks) then head up on the road and there’s a walking path around the driving tunnel and it greets you with several beautiful Kawazu-zakura in bloom, along with some Jizo statues and other little glimpses of the ocean. Also found those adorable painted rocks too!
TIME FOR AN ONSEN
There are no private onsens in rooms available, however they do have 2 private onsens for hire for 3000JPY for 45mins. However I simply enjoyed their large public baths and was very lucky to have it to myself a couple of times for awhile. The outdoor rotemburo overlooking the ocean is lovely for a soak especially after an early morning walk to Kawazu to see the Kawazu-zakura.
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
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)
