I usually review public bathhouses (Sento) and day-trip hot springs, but today I’m sharing my stay at “KAI Ito,” a high-end hot spring Ryokan managed by Hoshino Resorts.
While the pricing reflects the premium Hoshino Resorts brand, the overall satisfaction was incredibly high when you consider the ease of access from Tokyo, the outstanding food quality, the year-round outdoor thermal pool, and the top-tier hot spring bath.
For those living in or visiting Kanto area, famous spots like Atami or Hakone are often the first choice. Some might think Ito is “a bit further,” but it is actually just a 1 hour and 45-minute direct ride from Tokyo on the “Odoriko” express train. Unlike the bustling energy of Atami, Ito retains a calm, nostalgic “hot spring town” atmosphere—perfect for a relaxing getaway.
The highlight of this stay? The source-fed warm water pool! KAI Ito features an outdoor pool open all year round, providing a fantastic environment for kids to play even in the off-season.
In this detailed report, I’ll provide an honest review of my 2-day, 1-night experience, covering both the highlights and the points that left room for improvement.
Book via Jalan.com
Traveling to Ito
Ito is located just a step beyond Hakone and Atami.
Pro Tip: If you take the “Odoriko” express, book Seat A! The view around Hayakawa and Nebukawa is a stunning expanse of the ocean—it’s guaranteed to impress.
“In-room hot spring was a dream.” – The luxury of having source-fed hot spring water right in your room is unbeatable. Relaxing in the scent of cypress (hinoki) with fresh hot spring water on tap was pure bliss.
“Dining exceeded expectations, especially the Kinmedai.” – While some KAI properties have a reputation for smaller portions, Ito was very generous. The Kinmedai (Splendid Alfonsino) clay pot rice and simmered dishes were exquisite.
“The pool is great even in winter.” – Even in December, the pool stayed warm (30°C to 40°C in some spots), feeling like a giant open-air bath. The kids played for over an hour without feeling cold.
“Exceptional Hospitality.” – The staff’s attention to detail, like quickly adjusting the size of the children’s samue (loungewear) and engaging with kids during dinner, was perfect.
The Not-so-Good (Drawbacks)
“View from the room can be limited.” – Since it’s located in the city center, you won’t get an ocean view. Some rooms face the walls of adjacent buildings. (Editor’s Note: If the view is important to you, I recommend requesting a courtyard-facing room in advance.)
“Some facilities feel dated.” – Despite renovations, the building’s layout means long walks to the public baths and some elevation changes/steps.
“Pricing.” – It is Hoshino Resorts, so it’s not exactly a “budget” stay. The cost-performance ratio depends on how much you value the service and the thermal pool.
Review Summary: Score 4.10 / 5.00
“Convenient Luxury. A must-visit for those who want a premium thermal pool experience even during GW or Silver Week!”
Score Summary
Memorable & Unique Experience: 4.0
Activities: 3.0
Onsen / Hot Springs: 5.0
Facilities & Amenities: 5.0
Dining / Food: 5.0
Overall Score: 4.10
Memorable & Unique Experience (Rating: 4.0)
A familiar hot spring town made extraordinary. It’s not “exotic” like Okinawa, but it offers a deep sense of “true rest”
Stepping onto the grounds, you are greeted by a meticulously maintained Japanese garden, the faint scent of incense, and a sophisticated “Wa(Japanese)-Modern” interior. The exhaustion from travel is minimal due to the proximity to Tokyo, allowing you to enjoy 100% of your stay from the moment you arrive.
Since this is a long-standing tourist destination, there is no shortage of things to see. The area is well-equipped with everything you could want: incredible seafood, zoos, amusement parks, historical sites, golf courses, and the ocean.
If you are looking for a fun-filled trip, I highly recommend it. However, keep in mind that most spots get quite crowded. Rather than offering a “one-of-a-kind” emotional experience that you can only find in Japan, it’s perhaps better described as a good place to go if you have enough time. I recommend to spend more time at Kai Ito.
Activities (Score 3.0)
KAI Ito is not a massive “activity-centric” resort like Risonare. However, what it offers, it does with supreme quality.
The star of the show is the thermal pool. Unlike most hotel pools that close after summer, this outdoor pool is fed by a hot spring source and is comfortable even in the dead of winter.
For Parents: There is a footbath (ashiyu) right by the poolside. You can watch your kids play while soaking your feet and enjoying a complimentary drink.
Atmosphere: At night, the pool is lit up beautifully, creating a magical, adult-friendly vibe.
For Kids: My children were overjoyed, shouting “It’s so warm!”
Dolphin Fantasy: A Life-Changing Experience
A bucket-list experience that instantly elevates the value of your activities.
If you’re worried that “the hotel pool might not be enough for the kids,” make sure to include this in your itinerary. Your satisfaction level will skyrocket to 120%.
Located less than 10 minutes by taxi from the hotel (Kai Ito) is “Dolphin Fantasy Ito.” This isn’t just a simple aquarium; it is a facility where you can actually swim with dolphins.
Our family tried it, and it became a lifelong memory. You head out to a sea pen and enter the water to interact with the dolphins directly.
The Highlight: The Dorsal Fin Swim! When you get a firm grip on the dolphin’s dorsal fin, they take off with a powerful surge! The sensation of speed as you become one with the dolphin and cut through the waves from one end of the pen to the other is exhilarating. It’s so exciting that not just the children, but even the adults find themselves shouting with joy. (It’s actually quite a workout to hold on tight! lol)
Interaction: You can pet their smooth, rubber-like skin. Being close to the dolphins’ intelligence and gentleness truly feels soul-cleansing.
【Important Points】
Time for Changing: Putting on wetsuits—especially for children—takes a significant amount of time.
Schedule Management: You need to arrive 30 minutes before your reservation. It is best to schedule this either before checking in or after checking out of Kai Ito.
By adding this experience, you mix “adventure and excitement” with the “healing of the hot springs,” giving your trip much more depth.
Hot Spring & Baths (Score 5.0)
Ito is famous for its high water output, and KAI Ito utilizes this to the fullest.
The Public Bath
Spacious and tranquil. The indoor bath features the classic Hoshino aesthetic, while the outdoor bath allows you to soak while feeling the breeze of the seasons.
The “Post-Bath Ice Pops” A cold ice pop for a body warmed by the hot springs—and it’s free! It might seem like a small detail, but it boosts your happiness levels immensely. There is also a foot bath (Ashiyu) in the courtyard, which is very typical of Ito. Enjoying the evening breeze there with a drink in hand is a very sophisticated way to spend your time
The Luxury of a Room with a Private Open-Air Bath
The one thing I want to recommend most emphatically is the “Japanese-style room with a private open-air bath.” It was a splurge, but it was worth every penny. Believe it or not, the room comes with its own open-air bath made entirely of Hinoki (Japanese cypress).
Atmosphere: There is a spacious garden, and you walk through it to reach the Hinoki(Wood) bath.
Whenever You Want: First thing in the morning, right before bed, or after the kids have fallen asleep… you can soak for as long as you want, whenever you want.
Total Privacy: You can enjoy the hot springs with your family without worrying about anyone else. You can even bring a bottle of juice or a drink to the bath and relax freely.
According to the staff, these rooms with private open-air baths are the most popular. They book up quickly, so the golden rule is to reserve early. While the large public baths are great, nothing beats the luxury of opening the windows in your own room and soaking while feeling the Ito breeze.
Note: There are two types of baths: Hinoki or Shigaraki ware (ceramic). Personally, I recommend the Hinoki. When you make your reservation, I suggest adding a note saying, “I would prefer a room with a Hinoki bath.” (I did this, and they were able to accommodate me!)
Facilities & Amenities (Rating: 5.0)
One could simply sum it up by saying, “As expected of the reliable Hoshino Resorts,” but let me break down exactly what makes it so good:
Heated Pool: This is a major highlight. I have commented on this extensively already, so I will skip the details here.
Immaculate Cleanliness: Although the building is a renovated historic inn, it doesn’t feel old at all. Instead, the weight of its history has been refined into a “refined elegance” (omomuki). The hallways, lobby, and guest rooms are sparkling clean wherever you look.
“Wa-Modern” (Japanese-Modern) Atmosphere: A signature of the “KAI” brand is the interior design that incorporates local traditional crafts. In Ito, you’ll see “Tsurushi-kazari” (hanging ornaments) throughout the facility, creating a calming environment just by walking around.
Library Lounge: A dedicated space where you can enjoy delicious coffee or camellia-based drinks.
A Garden Perfect for Strolls: Right by the pool, there is a garden perfect for a walk. It features a pond where you can feed the fish, providing a lovely accent to your stay.
There are no giant arcades or karaoke boxes here. But you don’t need them. The facilities are perfectly designed to fulfill the “luxury of doing nothing.”
Dining / Food (Rating: 5.0)
To be honest, I usually stayed at “Risonare” (another Hoshino Resorts brand). Risonare serves “buffet-style” meals, which are bright, and fun—but rarely “amazingly delicious” Consequently, I didn’t have massive expectations for “KAI,” assuming the food would look pretty but taste average.
I completely underestimated them. I am so sorry.
Every single dish served was so delicious that my family kept saying “wow!” throughout the meal. Even after returning home and visiting other hotels, we still find ourselves saying, “The food at Kai Ito was definitely the best.” It left that much of an impression.
Seasoning: The flavors are well-defined and distinct without being overly salty. The umami from the dashi (broth) hits you perfectly.
Presentation: Pure art. Each dish is adorned with seasonal leaves and flowers; we couldn’t help but gasp in awe every time a plate was brought out.
The Main Event: When you think of Izu, you think of Kinmedai (Splendid Alfonsino)! It is served using the best cooking method for the season, such as simmered or steamed. The meat is plump and fatty… just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
Unlike the “fun dining” of Risonare, this is “refined dining” meant to be savored. Even the children’s meals aren’t just standard “kids’ plates”; they are properly prepared Japanese courses. I worried my kid might not eat traditional Japanese food, but to my surprise, finished every last bit! This meal was the most memorable part of the trip. It’s been a long time since I was this moved by a hot spring inn’s cuisine.
Lunch Recommendation: Steak Ikeda
Deciding on lunch after checkout can be tough, right? While a seafood bowl near the station is nice, I highly recommend this place. It’s just a short stroll from the hotel.
This is a famous local gem, and their lunch is an incredible value. It’s an authentic style where the chef grills right in front of you on a teppan (iron plate). From juicy Hamburg steaks to meltingly tender steak lunches, it perfectly satisfies that craving for “hearty meat for lunch since we had Japanese food last night!”
The sound of the sizzling meat, the aroma, and the chef’s performance will keep the kids captivated. If you stay at Kai Ito, “Steak Ikeda” is the only choice for lunch on day two. (It is very popular, so reservations are a must!)
This concludes my stay log for Hoshino Resorts “Kai Ito.”
Initially, I went with modest expectations, thinking, “As long as there’s a hot spring and a heated pool, it’ll be fine.” But what stayed in my heart after the stay was the incredible ease of access from Tokyo, the liberating feeling of a pool you can enjoy even in the off-season, and above all, the food that far exceeded my wildest imagination.
I still remember the scent of the Hinoki wood from the room’s private bath. But the most vivid memory might be the sheer impact of that dinner. The food was truly that spectacular.
You want to take the kids to a hot spring without the exhaustion of long travel.
You want the kids to play in the pool while the adults relax.
You simply want to eat amazing food and be healed in a beautiful room.
Kai Ito is the place that grants all these wishes. I highly recommend taking the Odoriko Express train and visiting during a long weekend or a holiday like Golden Week. It’s a trip that will surely leave your whole family smiling and saying, “Let’s come here again.”
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