Famous for its salt (Hakata Salt), Hakata, an island located right in the center of the Seto Inland Sea, has a truly lovely ryokan (Japanese-style inn).
As it’s located right by the sea, you can see the famous Funaori Seto channel from the ryokan.

A perilous spot where the direction of the stream changes according to whether it is an ebb tide or a full tide, this sea area was given this name because its currents are enough to break a boat (‘funa’= ‘ship’, ‘oru’ = ‘break’). Even today, big ships can sometimes be seen getting into trouble due to the obstructing tides.

Anyway, this time we we’d like to introduce “Seto”, a ryokan where you can enjoy delicious fruits of the sea while gazing at the tidal streams that form tidal whirlpools and listening to the sounds of the waves and the passing ships.

The ryokan has ocean views not only from the lobby, but also from the banquet room that is used by large groups.

Its rustic ambience is very pleasant.

Funaori Seto is visible from the guest rooms, as well.

Fall asleep peacefully while listening to the sound of waves on the moonlit sea under skies filled with stars…

Here you can spend the kind of precious time that can’t be experienced in the city.

And then, there’s the delicious cuisine…

These are the dishes served during a one night stay with meals included (JPY10,800 incl. tax & service fees).

There is a total of 9 dishes.

The dishes created using wild Seto Inland Sea fish are made in a way that brings out the best of their flavor.

As the fish used for the sashimi has experienced the tidal currents of the Kurushima channel, the meat is lean yet chewy.

In the city you might not be able to get this at this price.

This is fried fish.

Lean even after frying, fresh fish of the Seto Inland Sea tastes truly delicious.

Even those who hate fish might learn to like it after trying this?!

This is the ryokan‘s famous deep fried crab.

Crabs that have just changed their shells are fried whole in oil and then eaten seasoned with sweet vinegar.

You can eat the crab without removing its shell.

This was the first time for me to try it – it was so delicious, I was somewhat taken aback!

This is the scene from all the rooms, you feel like you can just keep on gazing at it.

It’s the perfect place for people who want to try something out of the ordinary.

Ships passing by, birds flying in the great blue sky, star-filled night skies, the sea bathing in moonlight, not to mention the delicious food…

How about spending some slow time away from busy daily life, listening to the rippling sound of waves?
Ryori-ryokan Seto
Location: 1853 Arouzu, Hakata-cho, Imabari city, Ehime prefecture
TEL: 0897-72-0946
Check-in : 15:00
Check-out: 10:00
Number of rooms: 4 Japanese-style rooms
http://www.gambo-ad.com/hotel/index.php?ar=2&id=40 (Japanese)
http://www.gambo-ad.com/english/hotel/index.php?ar=12&id=59 (English)

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Maki Ohashi