Ryokan Shikinekan Shikinejima

Ryokan Shikinekan Shikinejima, on the island of Shikinejima, is a fisherman's ryokan whose owners have their own boat. Its distinguishing feature is that the hosts will talk through fishing and boat transfers to fishing spots with you, so the whole family - including a father who loves the sea and loves to fish - can enjoy the waters around the island together.

What a fisherman's ryokan does best is, above all, the food. You get to taste dishes made with fresh seafood caught from the ryokan's own boat. Sitting down together over the island's catch is one of the real pleasures of the trip.

The guest rooms are Japanese-style tatami rooms, and because they are floored with tatami, it is easy to lay a small child down or for the family to sleep side by side with room to spread out. The atmosphere is homey, a place to take your time while getting a feel for island life.

Shikinejima is a small island with plenty of nature that families with children will appreciate. Tomari Beach, a circular cove with shallow water and gentle waves, is perfect for a child's first time swimming in the sea. Nakanoura Beach is another option, good for snorkeling. There are also free seaside onsen you can enter in a swimsuit dotted around the coast: Jinata Onsen, where the water temperature changes with the rise and fall of the tide; Matsugashita Miyabi-yu, an open-air bath by the shore; and the shallow Ashitsuki Onsen - all of them easy to combine with a day of playing in the sea.

Getting here takes about 5 minutes by car from Nobushi Port. Tell the ryokan which sailing you are arriving on and they will pick you up at the port.

As this is a fisherman's ryokan, please check directly when you book about the conditions for fishing and boat transfers, and about what can be arranged for babies.