Ikkyu -Seaside Hotel-
8,4/10 Excellent - Based on 94 reviews
Ikkyu -Seaside Hotel- sits on the Yunohama coast of Tsuruoka, arranging rooms to face the Sea of Japan so guests can watch sunsets from tatami lounges and dining tables. The property presents a compact, family-run atmosphere and is noted locally for accessible facilities aimed at older visitors; staff contact is available by phone and social channels. Its coastal setting places it within a short drive of the Kamo Aquarium and close to Shonai Airport, making it a convenient coastal base for exploring the northern shoreline. Guests can step directly onto a nearby beach for morning walks.
Accommodation ranges from traditional tatami rooms and family-style suites to rooms with private bathrooms, all furnished with air conditioning, safes and complimentary Wi‑Fi. Meals emphasize regional produce and seafood, often prepared in a multi-course, kaiseki-inspired format and served in rooms or the sea-facing dining room; breakfast is typically available on site. The ryokan is equipped to welcome guests with reduced mobility, and public areas include a relaxed lounge and parking for self-driving visitors. Futons are set each evening.
Wellness facilities focus on natural thermal water: the hotel operates on-site thermal baths, including a public indoor onsen and an open-air bath with sea views, alongside sauna and optional massage services, which frame it as a ryokan with onsen in Tsuruoka. Transport connections include taxi and scheduled bus links from nearby stations, and the property is marketed as a straightforward seaside escape and a ryokan with onsen in Yamagata suitable for travelers seeking coastal hot-spring relaxation.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Ikkyu -Seaside Hotel-
Positive Reviews
Spectacular sea views and sunsets
Many guests praised the hotel's beachfront location, noting excellent room views of the ocean and memorable sunsets seen from the dining area and rooms.
Delicious meals (dinner and breakfast)
Numerous reviews highlighted high-quality, beautifully presented dinners and breakfasts featuring local seafood and seasonal ingredients; guests often called the food a major highlight.
Warm, attentive staff and service
Staff were repeatedly described as very kind, helpful and responsive; they assisted guests proactively (including using translation apps) and provided excellent service throughout stays.
Relaxing onsen experience (including private in-room baths)
Guests enjoyed the onsen facilities—both public baths and private in-room onsens—reporting they were relaxing, well maintained, and left some guests' skin feeling notably soft.
Clean, comfortable Japanese-style rooms
Many reviewers appreciated the roomy, comfortable Japanese-style accommodations with tatami areas and sitting rooms, finding the hotel clean, elegant in a simple way, and conducive to relaxation.
Negative Reviews
Beach cleanliness and town condition
A few guests reported the nearby beach was littered with rubbish and that the surrounding town felt run-down or had many closed buildings and restaurants.
Hotel shows its age in parts
Some reviewers noted the property is a bit dated or 'showing its age,' even though amenities and service were still praised.
Limited daytime onsen availability
At least one guest was disappointed that onsen access during the day was restricted (they were only allowed to use it after mid-afternoon), which limited daytime relaxation options.
Location accessibility and transport
Several guests mentioned the ryokan is off the beaten path and can be difficult to reach by train and bus; some suggested a shuttle to/from the station would be a helpful addition.
Occasional room issues (Wi‑Fi/window cleanliness)
A small number of guests experienced issues such as no Wi‑Fi in their original room and a dirty room window; staff did resolve the Wi‑Fi room problem by moving a guest to a room with service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include Japanese-style rooms and family suites with futons; some rooms sleep up to six guests, and there are smaller twin and double options for couples.
Yes — the property has public hot-spring baths, an open-air bath facing the sea, and communal bathing areas fed by its natural spring.
Some guest rooms have a private inner onsen (renovated rooms with a sea-view bath); other room types use the shared baths, so check the room description when booking.
There is no regularly advertised shuttle; Shonai Airport is nearby (about 5 km), and guests typically use a taxi or public transport — contact the hotel in advance to ask about possible pick-up arrangements.
Staff are primarily Japanese, but the team assists non-Japanese speakers using basic English and translation support when needed.
Meals focus on Japanese-style cuisine with local seafood and seasonal ingredients; breakfast and evening meals are served on-site, typically in the dining area or as part of set-course menus.
You can take a train to the local line and use regional buses to the 'Yunohama Onsen' stop (the bus stop is a short walk from the ryokan); the property is also a short taxi ride from Shonai Airport and nearby stations.
Standard check-in begins at 3:00 PM (arrivals are normally expected by early evening unless arranged otherwise), and check-out is typically by 10:00 AM.
Pets are not allowed at the property; some rooms offer private in-room onsens, but full private-use reservations for public baths are subject to hotel policy — ask the front desk when booking.
The ryokan fronts the beach with notable sunsets and is a short drive from Kamo Aquarium and local seafood restaurants; staff can direct you to the nearest convenience store, supermarkets and local sightseeing options.