Ito is amongst one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns and produces approximately 32,000 litres of natural hot water a minute. This of course means Onsen and similar facilities are abundant in this quiet seaside town so there are many choices available but having previously stayed at Hotel Crown Palais in Kobe I was pleased to find a hotel owned by the HMI hotel group in the area.
Having never been to Ito before I felt the familiar feeling I get every time I go somewhere new: a slight nervousness concerning my travel to where I’ll be staying. As soon as I stepped out of the station I saw a banner baring Ravie Kawaryo and soon discovered they offer a free shuttle bus to the Hotel if you have booked in advance. Though only around a 10minute walk from Ito station, after preparing to walk there I was extremely relieved to discover this.
Greeted in a spaciously lobby by welcoming staff, the same courteous service was repeated from my previous stay in Kobe and after barely entering the hotel I immediately knew I had made the right decision. The quality is present in each HMI hotel though each posses it’s own individual flare. One thing I discovered quickly is that Ravie Kawaryo has incredible facilities. Being in a famous hot spring city you’d be absolutely correct if you guessed the hotel has it’s own Onsen. In fact there is an outdoor bath (rotenboro) as well an indoor swimming pool filled with low temperature spring water. There are also special rooms available with private hot spring baths. To compliment this there is also a massage service available. It is important to note that if you have a tattoo you will sadly not be able to enter the baths though.
Located on the first floor you will find many of the hotels facilities. Encompassing the lobby is a bar, restaurant, games corner and even karaoke rooms. For those planning a function there is also a host of banquet halls available for such occasions. The restaurant accommodates 200 people and serves a buffet style breakfast and dinner everyday. Both can be included in the price of your stay as ryokan style rate regulations.
I mentioned previously that each HMI hotel has it’s own personality and what really separates Ravie Kawaryo from Crown Palais Kobe is the traditional Japanese rooms. Each has a tatami floor as well as other features like shoji (sliding screen doors) and a futon bed. I always find more comfort in a traditional style room and when there is an Onsen in the building there is not much more you could need.
My stay in Ito was my first real encounter with the Pacific Ocean and the coastline of Japan. Sadly arriving in mid-October the searing heat of summer had already passed so I couldn’t enjoy the ocean to its full potential. One day I will return and when I do I know I will have no trouble finding a high quality budget hotel.
