Inside The KAI Anjin Luxury Ryokan
- Aug 2, 2025
- 5 min read
A review of the KAI Anjin, one of the best luxury ryokans on the Izu Peninsula
Image copyright: Ollie Ronin
Introduction
The KAI Anjin is a beautiful ryokan on the Izu Peninsula that celebrates the historical events of William Adams, who was the first Englishman to arrive in the town 400 years ago. The whole property is themed around old-English sailing ships, which gives a charming atmosphere that feels unique and special.
Located in the town of Ito, it's the perfect option for a weekend trip, or as part of a larger trip to explore the Izu Peninsula. They'll teach you all about William Adams and offer a nice presentation which includes an animated video that describes his story. The travellers lounge features a range of interesting books, a record player, and comfy couches to chill and relax. Another highlight of the lounge is the complimentary tea selection that invites you to create your own combinations and herbal blends.
Spending a few nights here was the perfect base for exploring the town and driving to nearby attractions such as Mt. Omuro. Their restaurant offers amazing kaiseki cuisine with some British influences, and the onsen is the perfect way to relax at the end of the day.
In this article, we'll provide an efficient summary to give you an idea of what the experience is like, and explore some of the most notable highlights the ryokan has to offer.
While we were not paid for this article, this review is part of a collaboration. I personally reached out to Hoshino Resorts, and was offered 2 complementary nights in exchange for providing fresh photographs and writing this article. I genuinely recommend this amazing property and do not receive any commission if you book directly through their website.
In This Article
1.
Key Highlights
Image copyright: Ollie Ronin
Location
The KAI Anjin is nicely situated on the seaside, only a 5-minute walk to the historical Tokaikan building, and a 15-minute walk from Ito Station. From here, it's an easy drive to the other notable attractions around the Izu Peninsula.
Rooms
All rooms feature gorgeous ocean views, lovely spacious interiors, and sailing-themed decor.
Onsen
Both the male and female onsens feature an indoor and outdoor bath, with mineral-rich hot spring water and a relaxing atmosphere.
Gastonomy
The hotel's exclusive restaurant serves incredible Kaiseki cuisine in private dining booths decorated with charming historical elements, featuring unique dishes that can only be found locally.
Historical Experience
The KAI Anjin is themed around British explorer William Adams, who landed here in the 1600s and built the first Western-style ships in Japan. It's a fascinating history, and the KAI Anjin does an amazing job of bringing this period to life with beautiful decor and thoughtful design. They also offer an animated presentation that tells the story of William Adams.
Price Range
$400 - $800 per night
You'll find the best prices by booking directly on their website.
2.
The Location
Image copyright: Ollie Ronin
The KAI Anjin is located in the city of Ito, only a 5-minute walk from the historical Tokaikan building and the main downtown area. It's a convenient base for exploring the rest of Izu and only a 20-minute drive from notable attractions such as Mt. Omuro and the Izu Skyline, and a 40-minute drive to Shuzenji Onsen.
3.
The Food
Image source: KAI Anjin
The food at the KAI Anjin is a mix of modern and traditional kaiseki cuisine, along with some interesting takes on British dishes such as pasties and stew. The staff do a great job of explaining each dish and the ingredients, and answering any questions you may have. My personal favourites were the quail soup, crispy tofu, and specially made soy sauce.
The atmosphere and decor are really charming, the tables are partitioned using walls made from recycled old books, along with ambient lighting and eloquent presentation of each dish.
4.
The Onsen
Image copyright: Ollie Ronin
The onsens are located on the top floor, offering nice views of the ocean, the town of Ito, and the surrounding mountains. They maintain a consistent temperature between 40-42 degrees 40-42°C. The natural hot spring water leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth, without any smell of sulphur. Like all KAI properties, you can cool down in the onsen lounge after bathing and enjoy complementary ice pops and herbal teas.
5.
Rooms
Image copyright: Ollie Ronin
All the rooms at the KAI Anjin are carefully designed and offer gorgeous views overlooking the ocean. Floor-to-ceiling windows help immerse you in the scenery and bring natural light into the space. The rooms come with a ceramic teapot and boutique teas which have been exclusively produced for the KAI brand. Some rooms also feature record players that transport you back in time and highlight the historical focus of the ryokan. Sitting on the couch while drinking some green tea and looking out over the ocean feels amazing, it's the perfect way to reflect on your trip or get some work done on your laptop.
6.
The Travellers Lounge
Image copyright: Ollie Ronin
The KAI Anjin features a lovely lounge for relaxing and socialising, offering complementary teas from all over the world, which you can mix and match to create your own unique blend. The vinyl records help create a special atmosphere and a relaxing ambience. There's also a nice selection of books to read that cover interesting topics such as sailing, beer brewing, and historical traveling.
7.
Closing Comments & Further Reading
Image copyright: Ollie Ronin
Spending two nights here was an incredible experience that I would recommend to anyone interested in exploring the Izu Peninsula and Ito City. In terms of sightseeing, the biggest highlight was Mt. Omuro, which is only a 20-minute drive away. The Izu Skyline was also an amazing drive with stunning views of Mt Fuji. And of course, it was fascinating to learn about William Adams while staying at a ryokan themed around his influence and built at the same location where his sailing ships were made 400 years ago.
One thing I love about KAI ryokans is that they offer a late checkout of 12pm, so you never feel rushed. I would recommend spending at least 2-3 nights here to have a good balance between sightseeing and enjoying the facilities. It's not necessary to rent a car, as it's only a 15-minute walk from the station, but having the extra freedom is nice.
You'll find the best prices by booking directly on their website.
