KAMENOI HOTEL Toba
8/10 Excellent - Based on 403 reviews
Perched on a hillside above Toba Bay, KAMENOI HOTEL Toba presents a calm, seaside ryokan atmosphere that blends modern comfort with traditional bathing culture. Rooms range from family suites with ocean-view terraces to renovated deluxe rooms offering private open-air baths; several room types advertise direct access to an outdoor terrace bath fed by the hotel’s natural spring, Shioka-no-yu. Public bathing areas include indoor and outdoor onsen pools and an open-air bath that frames the sea, making the property a convenient choice for travelers seeking a ryokan with onsen in Mie.
Facilities are practical and service-focused: two on-site restaurants deliver buffet and set-menu options emphasizing local Ise-Shima seafood, a live kitchen section, and seasonal kaiseki-style offerings on selected plans. The hotel operates a complimentary shuttle service to the nearest stations (advance reservation recommended) and provides on-site parking and accessible public spaces. Recent room upgrades introduced additional guest rooms with garden terraces and private open-air baths that combine natural hot spring water with modern fixtures, supporting quieter, more intimate bathing experiences.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: KAMENOI HOTEL Toba
Positive Reviews
Excellent food (breakfast & dinner)
Many guests praise the buffet and dinner offerings—described as delicious, varied and often including special grills and local dishes; some noted attentive presentation and extra dishes for longer stays.
Friendly, attentive staff and service
Multiple reviews highlight helpful, kind and accommodating staff (including shuttle/driver service and restaurant team), with excellent service moments and thoughtful touches for guests.
Good onsen experience
The baths are frequently described as clean, restorative and enjoyable; some rooms include private hot tubs or open-air baths which guests appreciated.
Scenic hilltop location and ocean views
Guests value the hotel's hilltop position and harbour/island views; the setting is often called beautiful and contributes strongly to the stay experience.
Comfortable, clean rooms and useful amenities
Many reviewers mention clean, comfortable and in some cases spacious rooms (upgrades reported), plus useful facilities such as shuttle service, free parking, yukata, laundry machines and occasional late-night ramen.
Negative Reviews
Smaller room sizes for some room types
Several guests report that certain room types (notably the superior twin) are quite small compared with expectations, while other room categories are more spacious.
Language and communication issues
Multiple reviews note limited English from staff leading to misunderstandings or frustration—examples include unclear billing explanations, difficulty changing meal options and occasional perceived unhelpfulness.
Location accessibility (on a hill)
The hotel sits on a hill; guests arriving by train often need a taxi or the hotel shuttle and some found the walk to town lengthy or the public transport infrequent.
Food service limits / buffet replenishment & repetition
A few guests experienced popular buffet items not being replenished late in service and noted that buffet menus could repeat across days; some wished for more choice or the option to select restaurant dining.
Occasional operational issues and limited onsite amenities
Less frequent complaints include miscommunications about upgrade charges and check‑in/move procedures (delayed access to replacement rooms), smaller onsen size and absence of facilities like a sauna in the large bath area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include doubles and family-style Japanese rooms; many tatami rooms sleep 4–7 guests (futons) and standard rooms sleep 2–4. Cribs and extra beds are not available and children aged 3 and above are treated as adults.
Yes — the property offers public indoor and outdoor hot spring baths and some room types include private open-air baths. Note that tattoos may restrict access to public baths and standard onsen etiquette applies.
The hotel provides a free shuttle service (commonly to/from Toba Station), but you must arrange pick-up in advance with the hotel; there is no regular airport shuttle, so taxis or trains are recommended from the airport.
From Chubu Centrair (Nagoya) or nearby airports take train to Toba Station then use the hotel shuttle or a short taxi ride; by car the drive to the area is roughly 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
Staff can assist in basic English and the hotel offers some English information, but most services and signage are primarily in Japanese; guests with limited Japanese may wish to prepare simple phrases or translations.
Expect tatami-style rooms and futon bedding in many room types, yukata for guests, traditional Japanese meals alongside buffet options, and communal onsen bathing for an authentic ryokan experience.
Major local highlights include Toba Aquarium (a short drive), coastal viewpoints and island scenery, and Ise Grand Shrine which is about a 30–40 minute drive from the hotel.
The property has free on-site parking (including EV charging), local bus and taxi access, and a shuttle to the station; renting a car is convenient for exploring the wider Ise-Shima area.
Check-in is from 15:00 until 21:00 and check-out is by 10:00. Guests are asked to inform the hotel of their expected arrival time in advance to arrange shuttle pickup if needed.
Pets are not permitted; some room types include private in-room open-air baths, while private hire of public baths should be requested directly from the hotel. Convenience stores and a supermarket in Toba are a short drive or bus ride away.