Review: Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel

Matsushima

Matsushima is a small city located just outside of Sendai. It is one of Japan’s fabled three most scenic places, made up of 260 islands.

Location

The hotel is located right next to the glass museum and at the sea with a wonderful view of the Matsushima Bay. Fukuura Island and the Fish Market are 15 minutes walking distance away. Matsushima station can be reached within 10 minutes. The hotel is expensive as it is usual for these type of hotels.

Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, Hotel Garden — Beautiful garden of the hotel

Rooms

We booked a twin room with an additional hot tub. Our room was a huge traditional Japanese room with luxurious Japanese interiors. Only twin beds are available at traditional Japanese Hotels. Our room had a small entrance floor, a very big main room consisting of a sleeping and a separate living area. You also have a bathroom with a separate toilet. The shower is a whole room for itself in front of the highlight of the room, your very own hot tub with a view overlooking the sea.

Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, room entrance — Room entrance

Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel — Take of your shoes before entering a traditional Japanese hotel room

Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, amenities — Lots of amenities

Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, toilet — Seperate toilet

Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, balcony — Private Balcony

Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, hot tub — Highlight of the room: Own hot tub overlooking the bay

Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel,shower — Shower room

Staff

The staff was not speaking a lot of English (which is normal in a town like Matsushima), but still everyone was very friendly, helpful and did their best to help us having a wonderful stay.

Review: Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel — Glass artwork in the lobby

Review: Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, lobby — Lobby

Food & Drinks

Dinner & breakfast were included in our stay and available at their restaurant. I have to say I never encountered a buffet style restaurant with a better quality of food than this ones. You could get high quality and high-priced ingredients and 6 separate cooking stations were available. Simply delicious.

They also have bars in the Lobby an in their garden.

Review: Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, restaurant — Buffet restaurant

Review: Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, sra urchin — Sea urchin soup

Review: Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, food — Fresh Sushi

Other services

Indoor an outdoor onsen are available. WiFi is free of charge for all guests. They also have a spa which is embedded in the indoor onsen of the hotel.

Review: Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, onsen — One of their onsen

Review: Ichinobo Matsushima, a luxurious Japanese Onsen Hotel, spa — Spa Entrance

Conclusion

When travelling to Japan I can highly recommand visting Matsushima with its beautiful views. When in Matsushima, this hotel is expensive but worth every penny considering the beautiful views, rooms and food.

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2 Comments

SportingDogs
June 28, 2018 at 12:00 pm Reply
Glad to have read this review. Most non-Japanese travelers don’t realize that many independently-owned Japanese style hotels (ryokans) offer better service and food than 5* international modern chains. I guess one reason people don’t know about these hotels is that the latter don’t market themselves aggressively enough.
- luxtravel
  June 28, 2018 at 9:19 pm Reply
  Thanks for the comment. That is absolutely correct, ryokans are very often at least as good as the modern chains, and also in terms of food, you will never get dissapointed.