Romantic Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

"I've previously stayed at Kamoike hotels in Izu Kogen, Arima Onsen, and Tazawako, and always had a good experience. So for my trip to Kii-Katsuura, I decided to choose this chain again. It's a budget-friendly and popular resort hotel (only the Izu Kogen one was relatively pricier). I compared it with nearby hotels like Hotel Urashima and Nakanoshima, but found them inconvenient for getting around. Nakanoshima was also too expensive for a solo traveler like me. Though this hotel has a history of several decades, it seems to have been renovated and is in good condition, with decent service, much like other Kamoike hotels. I stayed here for two nights, and my choice proved to be correct. On the first day, I arrived at Kii-Katsuura on the Kuroshio train around noon. After a short walk to the hotel to drop off my luggage, I went back to the JR station and took a bus to Nachisan, where I walked a highlight section of the Kumano Kodo trail. The second day was a leisurely stroll around Kii-Katsuura town. I had a seafood bowl at the pier, took a boat tour of Matsushima, and even visited the cave onsen for a day trip at Hotel Urashima. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable two-day itinerary. Furthermore, I found the kaiseki dinner provided by the hotel to be excellent, especially considering the price. I thought it was even better than the nearly 10,000 yen dinner I had at Shirahama Kaiyu. Plus, the menu changed both days. The Kumano beef was absolutely delicious! If I wasn't such a small eater, I would have definitely ordered an extra portion. I preferred the steamed version over the sukiyaki. For me, the portions were perfectly filling, even a bit too much. Around 9:30 PM, after my onsen bath, I passed by the free tantanmen stall. The sesame aroma was incredibly inviting, but since I had eaten so much at dinner for two consecutive nights, I didn't go in for the noodles, which is a bit of a shame. The breakfast set was also good, especially the tonjiru soup – it was really delicious!"

"Oooedo Onsen Monogatari: Not a Resort, a Rebirth* This isn't just a hot spring resort; it's a portal to another dimension. From the moment you swap your clothes for a yukata, the magic begins. You are no longer a tourist; you are a traveler in time. The ryokan experience is pure bliss. Waking up on tatami mats, the world outside feels distant, irrelevant. And the onsens... from open-air baths under the stars to secluded rock pools. Each immersion strips away a layer of urban fatigue, leaving only tranquility. But the true glory is the indulgence. Exquisite kaiseki dinners featuring the ocean's freshest treasures, paired with all-you-can-drink sake, beer, and whisky. It’s a feast for the soul where you never have to say ”no.” You don't just leave this place relaxed. You leave reborn, carrying the taste of a life lived more fully, if only for a weekend. It’s an investment in your soul."

"The hotel is very nice and still feels brand new, with a great location close to Kii-Tanabe Station. The staff were friendly, the check-in process was fast, and the room was very clean and comfortable. The laundry facilities, ice machine, and vending machines were all excellent. We also appreciated the free breakfast and complimentary coffee/tea in the afternoon. This hotel is highly recommended and perfect as a starting point for the Kumano Kodo journey. One suggestion would be to offer breakfast earlier or provide breakfast boxes for hikers starting early in the morning. Highly recommended, and we would definitely stay here again."