Ikona

This is one of my favourite hotels and restaurants in Japan. This is the closest you come to paradise in this life. The food is unbelievable and the meals are among the best keiseki I have had in Japan so far. If you choose a tatami room you will sleep on the floor covered by high quality comforters. Try to get one of the rooms with a private hot spring bath in the garden. You will probably spend most of your time soaked in the good smelling water. Your skin gets smooth and silky after just one dip! Enjoy the hospitality of okami Fusako Yoshida. She will do all she can to make your life as easy and enjoyable as she can. A trip to Japan must include a couple of nights in Ikona.

It is now five years since we stayed at Ikona. And i can still recall the absolutely fantastic ambience of the place. Go here to relax and find your heart. The food is absolutely fantastic. At the time back then it was a former michelin star chef that was in charge. Dont know if he still is there. The outdoor spas are very breautifully siuated between rocks, trees and birdsounds. We borrowed bikes and went to a beach near by that won the title as the beach in japan with the best sound of waves. Sounds crazy but in fact there was a very nice acoustic. I also joined a clas of paining fan. Very interesting. And as a last thing i will recommend to try the drink made in a melon. mmmh

This is a wonderful place to visit if you are a little bit adventurous, especially when it comes to food and bathing. The cost includes a Japanese breakfast and a Japanese dinner for each night you stay, as well as unlimited access to the hot springs baths. The meals are served in a dining room, rather than in your own room as is done in some Japanese inns (ryokan). The staff speaks little English, but they are able to make themselves understood. I chose to take the inn's shuttle from the Shimoda train station, rather than the local bus, but you can do either. I stayed 2 nights and during the day when I was there, I walked into and around the small town nearby. There is not a lot to do if you don't have a car, but it is very peaceful and relaxing because of that. There are separate baths (or pools) for men and women, but there very well might be others bathing while you are. The staff explains the procedures (and there are posters), so even if you have never done this before, it is quite easy.