Hotel Tokinoza
8/10 Excellent - Based on 2 reviews
Hotel Tokinoza sits on the coast of Kihoku in Mie Prefecture, where sea and mountain scenery frame its guestrooms and public spaces. The property blends Japanese and Western room types, with some rooms offering their own open‑air baths on balconies or terraces while standard accommodations provide private en‑suite facilities and coastal or mountain views. Onsite dining focuses on locally sourced seafood served in set‑course and buffet formats, and guests can use a small fitness area, a restaurant and bar, 24‑hour reception, complementary parking and public Wi‑Fi during their stay.
The bathing complex draws from the ryokan’s own hot spring source and offers a variety of bathing options: gender‑separated indoor baths, multiple open‑air baths sited for ocean views, and reservable private open‑air baths for couples or families. The layout combines larger communal pools with smaller outdoor tubs and private soaking pavilions so visitors can choose a communal onsen experience or a secluded soak; day‑use bathing alongside guest access is supported, and the outdoor baths are oriented to make the most of daylight sea vistas and clear night skies.
As a base for regional exploration, the hotel provides easy access to coastal walking routes, sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails and nearby marine and river activities such as fishing, cycling, canoeing and kayaking, plus tennis and other on‑site recreation. Practical amenities include seasonal shuttle service from the local station by arrangement and facilities for day visitors to the baths and restaurant. For travelers seeking a ryokan with onsen in Mie or a ryokan with private onsen in Mie, Tokinoza combines traditional bathing culture, seafood cuisine and straightforward access to Kumano and Ise‑Shima sights.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Tokinoza
Positive Reviews
Quiet seaside location with outdoor activities
Property is in a quiet bay offering pleasant walks up the hill and beach access for swimming, providing a peaceful setting for guests.
Helpful, attentive staff
Front desk and other staff were reported as very helpful, providing local information on walks, activities and how to get around the area.
Good bathing facilities and shower
Onsen/bath facilities were praised and the in-room shower was described as excellent; some rooms offer a private bath on the balcony.
Tasty meals and varied breakfast
The traditional kaiseki dinner was enjoyable (though limited to two set choices) and breakfast offered a wide range of choices.
Well-equipped, well-laid-out rooms
Rooms were efficiently laid out to maximise space and came with a wide selection of towels, hakata, coats and other amenities; some guests received upgraded rooms with a private balcony bath.
Negative Reviews
Small, uncomfortable hotel slippers
Provided slippers were reported as very small and uncomfortable; guests suggested offering larger sizes for taller or bigger-footed visitors.
Limited multilingual information
Guests noted a lack of English (or other language) information and menus, which made it harder for non-Japanese speakers to understand offerings and options.
Oshibori (wet towels) not fresh
Some guests found the wet towels (oshibori) to be not very fresh, indicating an issue with presentation or freshness of this amenity.
Mildew/mold smell in the building
At least one guest reported a noticeable moldy/mildew odor inside the premises, which affected their impression of cleanliness.
Remote from shops and restaurants
The site is relatively remote — the nearest larger shop or restaurant is about a 15-minute drive away, which may be inconvenient for some guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include twin rooms and Japanese-style rooms that can sleep up to five on futons; check the specific room capacity when booking as it varies by room type.
The property has public indoor baths, large open-air baths, private open-air baths and some guest rooms with their own open-air onsen fed by the hotel’s spring source.
Some rooms have private open-air baths and the hotel offers private bathing options; guests with visible tattoos may be refused entry to public baths, so reserving a private bath is recommended if concerned.
There’s no widely advertised regular airport shuttle; the nearest station, Kii-Nagashima, is about a 10–12 minute drive by taxi and the hotel may offer pick-up on request—confirm directly before arrival.
The nearest airport listed is Nanki-Shirahama (about 158 km); most guests travel by train to Kii-Nagashima Station and then take a taxi or arrange hotel transfer for the final leg.
English proficiency is limited; staff are generally helpful but guests should expect basic English and consider bringing a translation app or written requests for special arrangements.
The hotel serves traditional kaiseki-style dinners and breakfast in its restaurant; meals are commonly included with many plans, and the hotel should be notified in advance for dietary requirements.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 (arrival window listed until 19:00) and check-out is by 11:00; if your booking includes dinner, check-in by about 18:00 is recommended to ensure dinner service.
Hotel Tokinoza is a good base for the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, coastal walks and fishing, with nearby beach access and local attractions such as small museums and outdoor activities like cycling and hiking.
Pets are not permitted at the property; for supplies, there are small shops in the local town and larger supermarkets a short drive away—ask the front desk for the nearest convenience store and directions.