Very convenient location; friendly staff; amazing food and service. Very cyclist friendly.

Pillows were a little hard.

Staff were so genuine, kind and helpful. We arrived very wet from cycle, they couldn’t have done more to help us dry out. Food very traditional Japanese. Very fresh, freshly cooked, very beautifully presented and lovely explanation by waiter/waitress of what we were eating Location good, near to cafes and local shops if needed. As foreigners we felt we had a very authentic Japanese experience, loved it.

As previous reviews say …the pillows were VERY hard! We improvised with spare duvet and cushions. It worked. It may be an idea to give customers the option of an authentic hard pillow or a western style soft pillow??

High standard traditional Japanese ryokan. Same family have run this establishment on scenic Setoda port for 130 years. They were so hospitable, using Google translate to make sure we understood exactly what we were eating for eg. We enjoyed the dinner which was a degustation of amazing food. We had the quad room with sea view which had its own loo. some rooms need to share bathrooms which is just traditional.

it was all part of the authentic experience but the beds / futons were seriously hard and the ‘pillows’ were little wheat bags. Actually I loved it all, so traditional and I slept well as we had been cycling the Shimanami Kaido

We had a very warm welcome at this traditional ryokan and felt very well cared for. The rooms were very large and comfortable and the best bit was the sea view through our wooden slatted window in the lounge area at the front. The on-site onsen is reached through their amazing courtyard garden. The food was amazing and we treated ourselves to dinner which was superb. The staff were super friendly and we communicated via a translation app. Excellent stay - lots to see and Setoda feels quite lively. Would recommend hiring a bike from the tourist information centre in town.

Only downside was the pillows which were filled with some hard material. We happened to be travelling with our own so did not ask if there were alternative pillows.

Dinner was superb. The multiple dishes were exceptional, and were brought one after the other by a dedicated waitress, and served in a private room. The fish was amazingly fresh! And breakfast was similarly outstanding. Although at first sight a little expensive, the meals were superb and worth every yen! And the hot bath was very welcome after a day of cycling on the Shimanami Kaido. This was a return visit, and every bit as good as the first time in 2022!

We found the futons (and pillows) a bit hard and uncomfortable - but mainly I suspect because we are not used to sleeping on them!

It's a beautiful old building very traditional style with rooms either looking out to the large garden or onto the sea. It's right beside the beach and next to the main shopping street so very convenient. The rooms are well sized with their own toilet and sink, there are men's and women's baths in a separate building, which were a good temperature. It was very quiet when we stayed so they only opened one bath and we could use it privately!The town is a bit quiet in winter with only a few shops open and a riding distance to larger stores.

Nothing

We stayed at Suminoe Ryokan for one night while we were cycling the Shimanami Kaido. The town is small but has a few interesting things to offer and Suminoe Ryokan is conveniently located near a cute shopping street with local shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s a traditional Ryokan centered around a very old and beautiful Japanese garden and our room overlooked the sea. The breakfast was absolutely delicious, served in a private room adjacent to the Japanese garden. It was a wonderful experience and everyone was very lovely and helpful. Would have loved to spend more time in the town and Ryokan. I would highly recommend staying here to anyone who is looking for an authentic place that still retains its traditional charm.

Always a pleasure staying at Suminoe Ryokan. It is the second time we have stayed there. It is ideally located just short of halfway across the Shimanami Kaido cycleway. Pleasant helpful staff, comfortable traditional Japanese room. Great to soak in the onsen after cycling. Delicious seafood dinner and a healthy breakfast. Lovely to watch the sun set over the inland sea from your room.

Nil

Beautiful Ryokan in an old traditional building with a, lovely garden, right next to the sea. I enjoyed my stay right from the start with the warm welcome at check-in (owner could speak some English - thank you). The room was like the photos promised, a cosy futon waiting for me (there was also a tasty lemon treat in the fridge). Although small, the bath was nice and I could relax after a day of cycling. Breakfast was also delicious. Next time, I'll book dinner as well.

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Great location, comfortable rooms with a view of the sea and woman of the house, who was friendly and engaging with our limited Japanese and her I phone with a translator. A rare experience to engage with a truly charming local. The bathroom was a bonus.

Should highly recommend, require, a visit to Kosanji Temple, hill of hope and the cave of a thousand Buddhas, all walking distance from Suminoe.