Published date: April 1, 2025
A Place to Forget Busy Days
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
I used the NIPPONIA series that I had always wanted to stay at, which was available through HafH. Although the name NIPPONIA is the same, it seems that the managing entity varies by location. The "Tomonoura Port Town" that I stayed in was operated mainly by local residents. Since I have always liked old private houses and rural living, my time at NIPPONIA Tomonoura Port Town was truly wonderful. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from check-in to the accommodation, but the locals guided us through the history and culture of the town, so I was never bored and learned a lot about Tomonoura. While some information can be obtained from guidebooks and the internet, I believe it’s valuable to hear stories from someone who was born and raised locally. Notably, Tomonoura has a historical connection to "Sakamoto Ryoma," which made the historical stories particularly fascinating. The room I stayed in was so beautiful that it didn't even feel like an old private house and was quite luxurious. It had a nostalgic aura, making it feel like I could hear "Welcome back" when I said "I'm home." I am drawn to such places. The bath was a hinoki (cypress) bath, and the bathroom was filled with the scent of hinoki. While lounging surrounded by wood, I was able to completely relax and forget my hectic daily life. I would love to stay again. Thank you!
Experiences during the trip
I had dinner at "Kinugasa," which is affiliated with the inn. Since it was a menu exclusive for guests, the dishes made with fresh seafood from Tomonoura and seasonal vegetables were very delicious.
As I walked around Tomonoura, I enjoyed various perspectives, including a secret room where Sakamoto Ryoma was hiding and the scenery that inspired the Ghibli film "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea."
I discovered "Homeijo" (preserving liquor) in Tomonoura, a specialty that has been around for about 350 years and is known as "Setouchi's medicinal liquor." It's said that even the famous Perry, known for his Black Ship Arrival, drank it. When I brought it back as a souvenir, everyone was curious about it, and since it tasted good, I highly recommend it.