Migiwatei Ochi Kochi

While looking for a place to break up our Western Japan road trip and unwind for 2 nights in a small, luxury property, we settled on Migiwatei Ochi Kochi, a high-end ryokan in the port town of Tomonoura. Pouring through articles and reviews (mostly in Japanese), we felt that it would offer large, comfortable rooms with great views, easy access to (leisurely) sightseeing and great food. As we had hoped, Miguwatei Ochi Kochi perfectly fit the bill for us. The ryokan is a relatively small property with just 17 rooms, but comes with all of the amenities one would expect from a much larger luxury hotel. It was built in 2010, so it's still relatively fresh and new, with very little sign of wear and tear. While it lacks a tranquil garden that some luxury ryokans have (think Asaba in the Izu Peninsula), its calling card is the view from both its common area and all of its guestrooms - they all have unobstructed views of the Seto Inland Sea, as well as of the Bentenjima and Sensuijima Islands not far away. It's makes for a really relaxing vibe, which combines well with the modern Japanese architecture and decor, which suits this ryokan very nicely. We stayed in an "Upper Suite Room", the top room category at the ryokan, and features a bedroom and living room as well as a very nice open-air Onsen (hot springs) bath on the room terrace. It's sufficiently large enough to relax and not feel cramped, and - as a bonus - we had meals served in our own room (which is something that is slowly disappearing from even the top ryokans), which we love. The room was stylish without being cluttered, and its earthly tones gave us a warm, welcoming feeling. The property also has two private baths that can be rented - free of charge - by guests. It's obviously larger than the Onsen bath in the guest rooms, so it was a nice change of pace to try it out. Our first night's meal was otherworldly. This ranks among the top 10 meals we've had in a Japanese ryokan. Sure, they have the advantage of getting access to the bounty of seafood, vegetables and meats from the area, but the kitchen staff then take it and make it truly memorable. Yes, it's technically Kaiseki (like at most ryokans), but Migiwatei Ochi Kochi's dinners are exquisitely presented, uniquely prepared and flavored, and meticulously explained (in Japanese to us, mind you) by the servers. We loved the Conger Eel sashimi, which was a first for us. Conger Eel is a delicacy in Japan, but not so unique that it's not offered in many restaurants. But to be served Conger Eel Sashimi, along with the raw liver of the Conger Eel, was definitely a privilege... often in Japan, along with Sashimi comes the liver of the seafood (especially Eel, Abalone, Octopus, etc.), which means that it's FRESH. One seafood that I generally do not like is Mantis Shrimp, but here, it was pretty darned good, which is saying a lot - I've tried liking it before, but never had one that didn't gross me out. Here, it didn't. Even less exotic ingredi

Small and beautifully appointed ryokan/onsen set in the fishing village of Tomonoura about a p mins from Fukuyama. The rooms have balconies that look out to sea. Each room has its own private onsen. Complimentary drinks, Yakutia's to be worn to the dining room and other public areas. The set breakfast and dinner menu was extraordinary. Beautifully presented with some unique and different dishes served by very attentive and respectful attendants. A fantastic experience which will make for wonderful memories!

福山から車で30分程の鞆の浦に面したホテル。鞆の浦は静かな漁港であるが、歴史的には、室町幕府最後の将軍義昭や幕末の海援隊関連史跡もあり、細い路地に民家の並ぶ街並みも美しい。遠音近音ホテルには駐車場がないので、すぐ近くにある同系列の鴎風ホテルの駐車場を利用し、車で送迎してもらえる。ホテル玄関は古民家から移築した木造で、渡り廊下まで風情が感じられる。部屋にも海に面した風呂はあるが、最上階にある貸し切り風呂がとても広く眺望も抜群である。要予約だが是非に利用したい。料理は和食会席だが質量ともに満足できる。特に名物の鯛の炊込みご飯が美味しい。朝食は和洋選択でき、海沿いのテラスで島と船を眺めながら食後のコーヒーを楽しめる。

かなりまえに姉妹館の鴎風亭に宿泊し、お料理の美味しさに喜んだものでした。 こちらも間違いないだろうと思っていたら、またまた感動の美味しさで、 これから先、他所で鯛のおさしみは食べられないねと、話し合っています。 部屋風呂にのんびり入り、至福の時間を過ごすことができました。 そして、コーヒーも美味しかったのです。 玄関にいつでも飲めるように置かれてるコーヒーは、大抵　さして美味しいとも思えないのですが、こちらは最後まで手を抜かず、いいものを選ばれてるようでした。

Très bien situé face à la mer et à une petite île avec un temple, ce ryokan vous accueille de façon très hospitalière. La salle à manger est très bien et le dîner absolument somptueux. Petit onsen privatif dans les chambres, ce lieu est parfait pour relaxer et le gros village de Tomono Ura a également beaucoup de charme.

三泊四日の瀬戸内旅行の2日目に宿泊しました。姉妹館近くの駐車場に車を停め、そこから送迎車で宿へ。ところが狭い路地前に送迎車は停車、こんなところに宿があるの？と思いながら路地を30メートルほど歩くと、ありました、素晴らしい宿が。 部屋も素晴らしいですが、食事が素晴らし過ぎました。瀬戸内の食材に一手間かけ、どの料理も喧嘩することなく、調和がとれ、出汁の余韻が残るような料理でした。濃い味に慣らされた関東人にはかなり衝撃的、美味しいと言うより、凄いと思いました。 大病の治療、回復途中で飲酒ができないのか残念でしたが、病を克服したら、じっくりとお酒と合わせて改めてお邪魔して食事を楽しみたいと考えています。