Shiojitei in Toba

Toba International Hotel Shiojitei was an absolute highlight of our trip. The exceptional service truly stood out, embodying the Japanese spirit of 'omotenashi' from start to finish. This began with the shuttle pick-up from Toba Station, followed by detailed guidance during check-in, and enthusiastic explanations of each dish in the restaurant – every interaction was flawless.

The food, featuring local delicacies like Ise Bay seafood and Matsusaka beef, was undeniably delicious and beautifully presented. While you mentioned the portion sizes were 'rather average,' this is typical of kaiseki-style dining; although there are many courses, individual portions are small. For those with larger appetites, it might feel a little insufficient. The hotel facilities are well-maintained, with both the guest rooms and the onsen area (the Pearl Onsen left our skin sparkling!) being spotlessly clean. Overall, it has no obvious weaknesses; the service, dining, and ambiance harmonized perfectly to provide the best hotel experience of our trip.

Beautiful spotless traditional Japanese hotel with an amazing outdoor onsen.

This was my favorite hotel of the trip. Everything was perfect, except for initially not knowing the shuttle bus stop and having to drag my luggage uphill. The shuttle runs every half hour; I even took photos for everyone's reference.

**Regarding the Shuttle Bus:**
Since we arrived by JR train, exiting the station puts you directly on the ground level. However, the shuttle stop is actually on the other side, opposite the regular bus terminal. It's easier to spot from the glass window on the second floor, near the service counter where desserts are sold.

**Regarding Check-in:**
Upon arrival, after registration, you'll be invited to relax in the lobby and enjoy complimentary cake and tea. They will then take your luggage to your room. The lobby is actually on the second floor, while the first floor houses the Pearl Powder Hot Spring, directly accessible by elevator. On the other side of the second floor is the restaurant, which also includes the teppanyaki section. If you wish to try teppanyaki, make sure to book in advance; on our visit, only the Japanese-style option was available, though it was quite delicious. The marshmallow roasting on the lawn is accessed by taking the stairs down from the restaurant area. The atmosphere is lovely, and tea is also served there.

**Regarding the Room:**
Our room overlooked the lawn and offered a great view. At night, make sure to draw both layers of curtains, as the room is quite visible from the lawn area. All toiletries in the room are from Mikimoto, and they're excellent. The hot spring area also provides them, and they are available for purchase at the lobby shop.

**Regarding the Onsen (Hot Spring):**
At the onsen entrance, there are vending machines selling milk and ice cream. I enjoy drinking a bottle after my bath; it's very refreshing. The other two flavors are coffee and lactic acid drink. The small lockers right inside the entrance are for shoes. The flat switch on the left can be pulled open to access your locker; remember to check the passcode before closing it. For those who might feel a bit shy, you can grab a small towel before changing. It can be used to cover yourself after undressing or placed on your head while bathing. I usually prefer to wash up in my room before coming down.

**Regarding the Hotel (Choujotei):**
I personally preferred the Japanese-style Choujotei building. Access to the hot springs is convenient there, and the Pearl Powder Hot Spring is truly sparkling and beautiful. The round pool within it has a slightly lower temperature, allowing for a longer soak. Between the two hotel shops (referring to the shops in Choujotei and the Western-style building), Choujotei's is more enjoyable to browse. The Western-style shop focuses more on pearls, while the Japanese-style Choujotei shop has a wide array of small souvenirs and trinkets, and also offers duty-free shopping. Dining and spa expenses incurred at the hotel can be charged to your room and settled upon check-out. The spa is for guests aged 18 and above; the service is excellent, and the essential oils smell wonderful. It's interesting to note that the staff in the Western-style area all wear suits, while those in the Japanese-style area wear kimonos.

**One More Tip:**
When waiting for the shuttle, make sure to be attentive and let the staff know you're waiting. Often, if there aren't many people and you're not directly by the door, or if you don't respond when they call, the shuttle might simply leave.

The main draw for us was undoubtedly the Pearl Onsen; it left our skin feeling wonderfully soft and glowing. However, it was also at this onsen that I encountered something I'd never seen before: people queuing naked to use the showers, which I suspect was due to the hotel accommodating a large number of international guests and the service being noticeably stretched. The bathrobes in our room were also missing their belts, and we didn't bother to ask for replacements, so we ended up not using them to go to the onsen. This significantly detracted from our overall experience.

That said, there were definite upsides. On one occasion, when we wanted to go for dinner down the mountain, the front desk couldn't arrange a taxi for us. Instead, they kindly sent us in their shuttle bus, a gesture our family deeply appreciated. The Japanese-style dinner and breakfast were also delicious, and evenings offered marshmallow roasting and a firework display.

The facilities are great, and everything is very clean. The Pearl Hot Spring gets a big thumbs-up! In the evening, there was a bonfire in the garden where you could roast marshmallows, and you could also lie on a sofa or in a hammock to gaze at the starry sky. We even caught a glimpse of fireworks.

Upon arriving at Toba Station a little past 6 PM, we couldn't locate the hotel shuttle bus as advised by the guide. Decided to call the hotel just to try our luck, and to our surprise, they immediately dispatched a private car to pick us up! Service was absolutely impeccable! 💯

The hotel's absolute standout feature has to be its hot springs! ♨️ Especially the unique Pearl Onsen – the only one in Japan infused with Mikimoto pearl powder. My skin felt incredibly soft and glowed after soaking. (A glass of milk after the onsen is a must – incredibly refreshing! *Personally, I prefer the fruit-flavored one.)

Room Experience: We booked the most basic Japanese-style room (washitsu) and truly enjoyed the authentic experience of sleeping on traditional tatami mats.

Upon check-in, we were pleasantly surprised to find a welcome cheesecake 🍰 waiting for us in the fridge – absolutely delicious!

All toiletries were exclusively Mikimoto branded, adding a definite touch of luxury and quality. (We even bought a set from the hotel shop before leaving – eligible for tax-free shopping!)

🥣 Breakfast was a classic Japanese set meal, served individually with no menu choices. The highlight, however, was the dining environment – private rooms! *Be bold and request a window-side private room.

❤️ Enjoying a refined breakfast in such a private setting, while gazing at the serene ocean view outside, was an incredibly soothing and delightful experience.

I highly recommend Toba, a charming and relaxing city boasting both mountains and sea, and located right next to Ise. It's home to renowned Toba Aquarium and Mikimoto Pearl Island, as well as beautiful bays, hot springs, and delicious Ise lobster. Shiojitei and Toba International Hotel are sister properties; Shiojitei offers a traditional Japanese ambiance, while the International Hotel features a modern, ocean-view design. Shiojitei's standout feature is its Mikimoto Pearl Onsen, which leaves your skin feeling wonderfully radiant after a soak. However, the Mikimoto Pearl Onsen is just one of its many charms and doesn't overshadow Shiojitei's exquisite ambiance, superb cuisine, and stunning ocean views. Don't forget to head to the hotel lawn in the evening to experience roasting marshmallows!

A fantastic hotel! I accidentally left something in my room, and the staff quickly helped me retrieve it. The shuttle service was excellent, making it super convenient to get to both the station and Toba Aquarium. The surroundings were beautiful. I'll definitely be back!

My stay was excellent. Room service was top-notch, and the dining experience was truly thoughtful; each dish was perfectly paced according to our dining progress. Breakfast was also meticulously prepared without cutting any corners. The shuttle service was well-scheduled. The driver, an older gentleman, always insisted on helping with my luggage on and off the bus, even though I often felt a bit embarrassed asking him. His professional and responsible work ethic was truly admirable.

The hotel boasts a pleasant setting with a convenient shuttle bus service, ideally located near Toba Kintetsu Station. Our room was quite clean, though the bed was excessively soft, which made for an uncomfortable night's sleep. The cheesecake provided upon arrival was quite delicious, and the melon cake from Toba International was absolutely superb. Dinner at the hotel was rather average; while the selection was extensive, the taste could definitely use some improvement. The onsen (hot spring) was also quite distinctive, shimmering with a pearlescent glow, offering a unique and interesting experience.