All the reviews are correct about how much of a bargain this place is relative to other options around Shiretoko. We stayed here over four days in the Utoro Shiretoko area and loved our experience. Our ocean view room on the third floor was spacious with a marvelous view of the ocean and Utoro. The hotel is right on the water so we could open our window and listen to the waves gently crashing against the rocks.
Staff is super friendly and all speak a good amount of English. We happened to stay while a typhoon blew through and they were proactive in recommending all the indoor places we could potentially head to nearby for that day.
Breakfast was very nice. A simple and delicious offering of traditional Japanese items (grilled fish, salad, egg dish, noodles/rice and fruit plus coffee/tea/milk) that we loved waking up to each morning.
Potential downsides to consider are:
1. Hotel is on the outskirts of Utoro. If you're arriving by bus you'll have a 10-15 minute walk from the station, though the staff will offer to pickup/dropoff. We had a car so it wasn't an issue and parking is plentiful.
2. Bathroom situation was a little cramped as it was on a step height different from our living space and the genkan (entry), which made moving around a bit perilous in the dark. We adjusted to it within a day or two but it's a...All the reviews are correct about how much of a bargain this place is relative to other options around Shiretoko. We stayed here over four days in the Utoro Shiretoko area and loved our experience. Our ocean view room on the third floor was spacious with a marvelous view of the ocean and Utoro. The hotel is right on the water so we could open our window and listen to the waves gently crashing against the rocks.
Staff is super friendly and all speak a good amount of English. We happened to stay while a typhoon blew through and they were proactive in recommending all the indoor places we could potentially head to nearby for that day.
Breakfast was very nice. A simple and delicious offering of traditional Japanese items (grilled fish, salad, egg dish, noodles/rice and fruit plus coffee/tea/milk) that we loved waking up to each morning.
Potential downsides to consider are:
1. Hotel is on the outskirts of Utoro. If you're arriving by bus you'll have a 10-15 minute walk from the station, though the staff will offer to pickup/dropoff. We had a car so it wasn't an issue and parking is plentiful.
2. Bathroom situation was a little cramped as it was on a step height different from our living space and the genkan (entry), which made moving around a bit perilous in the dark. We adjusted to it within a day or two but it's a potential danger spot.
3. No onsen on-site, however you can get a day pass to many in the area for no more than $1k yen, which is a huge savings compared staying at some of those fancier resorts.
We definitely plan to stay here again next time we visit the Shiretoko area!More
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