Hotel Urashima
8,4/10 Excellent - Based on 1881 reviews
Hotel Urashima occupies a wooded promontory overlooking the Pacific, reached from the town pier by the property’s shuttle boat and linked to Kii‑Katsuura Station, which makes it a distinctive ryokan with onsen Wakayama visitors often plan around. The accommodation is arranged across multiple interconnected buildings—the Main Building and guest wings named for their viewpoints—so guests move between seaside baths, a rooftop observatory and indoor facilities. A signature feature is the Bokido cave bath, a cavernous hot spring with a framed ocean vista, and the hotel stages an internal hot‑spring circuit that lets visitors sample several mineral pools during a single stay.
Rooms range from classic Japanese‑style and mixed tatami rooms to larger suites with ocean views and private sitting areas, many offering direct visual links to the sea; room categories and availability vary by wing. Dining emphasises local seafood, with large buffet services focused on the area’s tuna alongside seasonal kaiseki menus crafted from regional produce, and dedicated restaurants serve different meal styles at set times. Onsite facilities include observation points for sunrise and sunset, communal lounges and retail outlets, and staff offer multilingual assistance and coordinated transfers for guests arriving by train or plane.
Practical details reflect the hotel’s scale: multiple public baths are rotated for cleaning and maintenance, with standard bath hours and daily cleaning windows to preserve water quality, and the property runs a regular ferry link between the pier and the hotel entrance. The establishment promotes an “onsen tour” around its springs so guests can experience differing water sources and bath settings in one visit, making it a well‑served ryokan with onsen Kii Peninsula for travellers seeking variety in hot‑spring bathing. Shuttle schedules, bath availability and facility closures can change seasonally, so advance confirmation before travel is recommended.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Urashima
Positive Reviews
Outstanding onsen (hot springs), including dramatic cave baths
Many reviewers praise the variety and quality of the thermal baths—indoor, outdoor and spectacular onsens set in caves with direct sea views—which are described as the hotel’s highlight and a unique experience.
Impressive sea views and scenic location
Guests frequently mention beautiful views of the bay/Pacific from rooms and some baths. The resort’s island/perched location and dramatic arrival (shuttle/ferry through tunnels) add to the memorable setting.
Authentic, spacious Japanese‑style rooms
Several comments highlight roomy, traditional Japanese (ryokan‑style) rooms with generous space, yutaka, and a pleasant nostalgic charm that many guests enjoyed.
Resort atmosphere with many on‑site facilities
The property is noted as a full resort with multiple onsens, restaurants, a convenience store (Lawson), shops, activities and transport links (van/ferry), offering convenience and entertainment on site.
Attentive staff and generally good dining options
Multiple reviewers report helpful, available staff and enjoyable meals—buffets and dinner offerings are often described as plentiful and a positive surprise for many guests.
Negative Reviews
Property is dated and needs renovation
Numerous reviewers report that the complex is old, worn and in parts poorly maintained; many suggest repainting, refurbishing public areas, rooms, baths and fittings to address visible aging and a generally tired appearance.
Worn beds/futons and cleanliness issues in some rooms
Several guests mention uncomfortable or stained futons/mattresses and examples of poor cleanliness on arrival (dusty surfaces, sticky tables, dirty windows, local odors), indicating inconsistent housekeeping standards.
Very large complex — long walks and crowding
The hotel’s size and multiple connected buildings lead to long corridors and long distances to restaurants or baths; combined with many guests (including large groups), this creates crowding at buffets and busy public areas.
Restaurants/buffet concerns: quality, cost and reservations
While buffets are varied, reviewers note the food can be less refined, overcrowded and sometimes not good value for money; several mention limited evening restaurant availability and the need to reserve or pay high prices.
Access and information inconveniences
Practical drawbacks reported include distant parking with shuttle transfers, limited ferry schedules, and scarce information/English signage for non‑Japanese guests, which can complicate arrival, dining off‑site and navigation of the resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms range from single and twin layouts to family-style Japanese rooms and suites; some rooms and suites can sleep up to seven guests using futons.
Yes — the property features the natural Bokido cave onsen plus several other public hot-spring baths, and an outdoor pool operates in summer.
The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service by car or ferry from JR Kii‑Katsuura Station at scheduled times; the transfer takes about 10 minutes.
From Kansai International or Nanki‑Shirahama Airport take trains to Kii‑Katsuura Station, then use the hotel shuttle/ferry or walk the short distance to the hotel.
Staff are primarily Japanese, and English-speaking staff or multilingual assistance (reported in English, Chinese and Korean) is generally available.
You can expect tatami rooms with futons, communal onsen bathing (including a cave bath), Japanese-style meals served buffet-style, and on-site cultural touches like karaoke and a souvenir shop.
Nearby highlights include Katsuura fishing port (about a 15‑minute walk), the Taiji Whale Museum (roughly a 20‑minute drive), and Nachi Falls (around 9 km away).
Check‑in generally begins in the mid‑afternoon (typically around 14:00–15:00 depending on the room), and check‑out is usually by 10:00; confirm exact times with your booking.
Some suites include a private outdoor bath, but most bathing facilities are public; pets are not allowed on the property.
The hotel serves breakfast and dinner as buffets and has a souvenir shop on site; additional restaurants and small shops around Kii‑Katsuura Station and the fishing port are within walking distance, but there is no on‑site supermarket.