Hirado Kaijyo Hotel

Hotel is nice and clean. very close to the site where I work.

Pluses for this hotel - wonderful views and all rooms have a view! Such a friendly, helpful staff. We were not sure where the room for breakfast was and the lady at the front desk walked us to it which involved going upstairs and down a hallway! Fabulous traditional breakfast and the staff were very helpful in explaining how to eat dishes we were unfamiliar with. We rented a private onsen and it was wonderful with great views- we rented one of the open air ones. Minuses - the hotel needs updating - a little run down and the beds were not great - probably would have been better to sleep on the futons but we aren’t that spry anymore. The restaurant on site was not open anymore. Overall we have had a wonderful stay. I love Hirado and would come back to this hotel. Some of our party speak some Japanese but the staff spoke enough English that along with Google translate, English speakers would do fine!

I knew that this was an onsen hotel right from when I booked it. As it was so expensive I looked for other accommodation but there was none available and I couldn’t change the dates so took this risk and booked it. It’s only around 10 minutes’ walk from Hirado Sanbashi 平戸桟橋, the ferry terminal and bus terminal on the central Hirado Wharf where the bus which I caught from Sasebo Station terminates. Unfortunately, having tattoos, I couldn’t use the onsen but the blurb on the hotel’s web site looks like they are top class. When I arrived it was very busy and while I was there there was a lull flowed by another wave of guests so I suspect that, depending on the dates of a stay, it could be either very busy or having a lull. The food was exceptional and was included in the price. However, not really catering to foreign guests left me guessing about the food. It was all pretty much fresh vegetables, pickled vegetables and fish prepared in various ways. And lots of it so I didn’t go hungry while I was there. The staff were very helpful and between us we managed to communicate to one another. Would I recommend it? Yes, but it is expensive so that needs to be kept in mind. Location wise Hirado town is very walkable but if you are intending to go further afield (I kept mainly to sites in and around town) you’ll need a car or a good understanding of the bus routes and times.