Ijika Daiichi Hotel Kagura
8,1/10 Excellent - Based on 71 reviews
Ijika Daiichi Hotel Kagura sits on a hill overlooking Ise-Shima, where many of its 55 rooms face the ocean and sunrise. The property is arranged between a main building and an east wing, offering Japanese, Western and mixed room types—some with private open‑air baths—and a scheduled shuttle to Kintetsu Toba Station by reservation. Rooms are fitted with flat‑screen TVs, refrigerators, safes and yukata robes; many include humidifiers and modern washlet toilets. Onsite amenities include a café and bar lounge, banquet and conference spaces, a small shop and complimentary parking, and dining emphasizes seasonal seafood and regional produce.
Thermal facilities are a defining feature: a large indoor bath and several open‑air baths provide panoramic sea views while bathing areas alternate daily between men and women. Guests can reserve one of four family‑sized private baths for short periods, and selected rooms offer private onsen‑style outdoor tubs for personal use, so the hotel functions both as a ryokan with onsen in Mie and as an option for travelers seeking a ryokan with private onsen. Public and private bathing options, plus scheduled rotations, make it straightforward to plan a quiet soak or a family booking.
Meals focus on regional ingredients with daily buffets and multi‑course kaiseki dinners; some room types offer in‑room dining. The property runs seasonal experiences—most notably a morning kite‑feeding event where raptors swoop to take offered food—and provides extras such as massage, esthetic treatments and multilingual staff. Its coastal location makes it a practical base for visits to Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba Aquarium and the Ise Grand Shrine, and the hotel suits couples and families seeking sea views and convenient access to Ise‑Shima attractions.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Ijika Daiichi Hotel Kagura
Positive Reviews
Outstanding ocean views and scenery
Many guests praised the hotel's location and ocean-facing rooms—excellent sea views, memorable sunrises and balcony scenery were repeatedly highlighted.
Friendly, attentive staff
Staff were described as polite, helpful and attentive; guests mentioned warm service at check-in, room service, staff who took photos, and multilingual assistance from some team members.
Delicious and varied food
Multiple reviews complimented the meals—especially the dinner and breakfast options—with fresh sashimi, generous portions and a wide breakfast menu receiving positive remarks.
Good onsen experience and private baths
The onsen was frequently praised for quality; several guests enjoyed both the public baths and private/room baths as highlights of their stay.
Unique local experiences and relaxing atmosphere
Guests appreciated special offerings like the morning bird (tonbi) feeding event, a calm atmosphere, and extras such as free massage machines that added to a relaxing stay.
Negative Reviews
Outdated facilities and occasional cleanliness issues
Some guests felt the property was old and noted cleanliness problems such as dust on shelves, a left-behind wet towel in a room, and insects in the baths on occasion.
Room amenity shortcomings
Several reviews mentioned practical deficiencies: some room types lacked en-suite bathrooms, toilets without washlet (bidet) functions, only one traditional key per room, weak air conditioning on upper floors, and limited slipper/clothing sizes.
Limited on-site facilities or inconvenient layout
Guests noted the absence of facilities like a pool or fitness center, and found it inconvenient that some outdoor/rotenburo baths required leaving the room and changing again to access.
Inconsistent service speed and occasional lapses
While staff were generally praised, a few reviews pointed out slow drink service at dinner and instances where staff responsiveness or handling (e.g., front desk response about a found item) was disappointing compared with prior stays.
Perceived value and price concerns
A number of guests felt the price did not always match the overall quality, describing the stay as somewhat expensive relative to the facilities or certain meal expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room capacity varies by room type (twin, Japanese, Japanese-Western and family rooms are available); maximum occupancy is shown on each room’s description and no extra rollaway beds are provided.
The hotel has large indoor and two open-air baths that rotate between men and women, plus several bookable private/family baths for short reservations.
Yes — private family baths can be reserved (typically for 40 minutes); availability is limited so request this when booking or at check‑in.
Yes — a free shuttle runs between Kintetsu Toba Station Exit 1 and the hotel with fixed departures (advance reservation required); confirm pickup times with the hotel.
Most guests travel via Chubu Centrair (Nagoya) or Nagoya stations, then take Kintetsu trains toward Toba and use the hotel shuttle from Toba Station; the hotel website gives step‑by‑step directions.
Check‑in starts at 15:00 (final check‑in is typically in the early evening; dinner guests may need to arrive earlier) and check‑out is by 10:00.
The hotel provides English information on its website and can assist with basic English enquiries, but primary services are in Japanese — request English help in advance if needed.
Pets are not permitted at the hotel, and there are limited dining or convenience‑store options within walking distance, so guests without a meal plan are advised to reserve meals or eat before arrival.
The on‑site restaurant (Hanon) serves seasonal Japanese seafood cuisine and breakfast (buffet or set); in‑room dining is offered for certain room types or plans and should be requested in advance.
The hotel is a convenient base for Ise‑Shima sightseeing — Ise Grand Shrine, Okage Yokocho and Toba Aquarium are accessible via Toba Station (shuttle + train/bus); the beach is about 1–2 km away and the hotel can advise on local routes.