Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima

Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima occupies its own small island, Nakanoshima, in Katsuura Bay near Nachikatsuura in southern Wakayama, and is reached exclusively by a free ferry departing from the Kanko Sanbashi pier, a crossing of about five minutes that immediately sets the property apart from mainland hotels. Built as a secluded luxury ryokan, the island setting gives every guest area a sense of privacy and quiet, with the resort's low-rise buildings arranged to take advantage of ocean views on nearly every side. Rooms are offered as Japanese-style suites, ocean-view rooms, and a category with a private open-air bath attached directly to the room, letting some guests bathe in hot spring water without leaving their accommodation. Dining centers on kaiseki multi-course meals built around local seafood pulled from the waters around Katsuura and Nachi Bay, served in a traditional Japanese hospitality style. The resort's communal hot spring baths look out over Nachi Bay, combining natural onsen water with unobstructed sea views, and function as the property's primary wellness facility in place of a separate spa. Free WiFi is available throughout despite the island setting. Service is high-touch and traditional, with attentive staff supporting the ryokan's reputation as one of the more exclusive stays in the Katsuura area, making it well suited to couples and travelers seeking a quiet, higher-end retreat rather than a family beach resort.