Overview
Hotel Azuma stands at the edge of Sado Island, where the sun meets the sea in a daily spectacle. You’ll find this coastal inn along the scenic Nanatsuurakaigan shoreline, one of Japan’s top 100 sunset spots. From your room or the open-air baths, you can watch the sky turn crimson as the sun dips into the Sea of Japan. With a 7,000-tsubo garden, traditional kaiseki dining, and a long history that began in 1925, Hotel Azuma invites you to experience the finest of Sado in both nature and hospitality.
Accommodation
Every room at Hotel Azuma gives you a view of the ocean. You can choose between Ocean View rooms or Sunset Oceanfront rooms, each offering a front-row seat to the horizon. If you want something more luxurious, stay in one of the suites with private open-air baths:
- Premier Corner Suite with Open-Air Bath: Enjoy a spacious 84㎡ suite with four Simmons beds, a Japanese-style room, and a private stone bath overlooking the sea.
- Premier Suite with Open-Air Bath: Soak in a fragrant cypress bath while gazing out at the blue sky by day or the stars by night.
- Ocean Terrace Suite with Open-Air Bath: Step out onto the scenic terrace and unwind in a ceramic tub facing the sea.
- Sunset Panorama Ocean Front: Take in a 270-degree view from this corner suite, perfect for families or group stays.
- Sunset Ocean Front: Watch the sun fall into the ocean from your tatami room, available with either a double or twin bed setup.
- Ocean View Garden Twin: Gaze out at the Nanao Coastline and Meoto Iwa rocks while you rest in a room designed for peace and privacy.
Each room features a blend of Western comfort and Japanese style, with futons added for larger groups. Whether you’re traveling as a couple or with family, you’ll find a space that suits your pace.
Dining
Meals at Hotel Azuma celebrate the flavors of Sado. You’ll dine on seasonal kaiseki cuisine, made with local fish, vegetables, and fruits. Each dish is prepared with care, and the ingredients are selected directly from trusted farmers and markets.
At dinner, you might start with figs wrapped in prosciutto, followed by chilled egg custard and a selection of sashimi. The menu often includes grilled duck with burdock chips, simmered ivory shell, snow crab, and tomato-braised Shorthorn beef. Every bite offers something from the island—its land, its waters, its seasons.
Breakfast changes based on how busy the hotel is. Sometimes it’s a full buffet, sometimes a Japanese set meal, or a mix of both. You’ll enjoy dishes like squid sashimi, Sado Koshihikari rice, and a tasting of salted squid preserves.
For a live cooking treat, head to the open beach grill, where seasonal seafood is grilled right before your eyes.
Onsen and Wellness
You’ll find every bath at Hotel Azuma faces the ocean. The large indoor and open-air public baths belong to Aikawa Nagate Cape Onsen, and the two private baths in the garden draw from Sado’s deep ocean water. These mineral-rich waters are known for their warmth, hydration, and even hair-softening effects.
Private Open-Air Baths: Choose between Ikabi no Yu and Hokake no Yu, located in the garden by the coast. You can reserve them after check-in for 50-minute sessions. Each bath gives you complete privacy and a stunning view of the sea.
Room Baths: If you stay in the Premier Suites or the Ocean Terrace Suite, you can enjoy your own open-air bath at any hour, soaking in peace while the waves roll in.
The baths operate year-round, but winter maintenance may occasionally affect availability. Please check in advance.
Guests with Tattoos
If you have tattoos, you can still enjoy the private open-air baths in the garden or the open-air baths attached to your suite. Public baths have restrictions, so please ask the front desk when you check in.
Facilities
Hotel Azuma offers more than rooms and meals. The lobby lounge opens to a terrace overlooking the garden, and transforms into a bar at night. You can find local Sado crafts and snacks in the on-site shop, perfect for taking home something special.
Other conveniences include:
- Coin laundry and vending machines near the large bath
- EV charging stations (2 units)
- Grand banquet hall and private dining rooms
- Free parking for up to 40 cars
- Smoking areas on the second floor and terrace
- Tea station with original Hotel Azuma blend
Activities
You can fill your day with both calm and energy at Hotel Azuma. Join a morning yoga or tai chi session on the lawn to stretch and breathe beneath the rising sun. Try sea kayaking during the summer months—launch right from below the hotel and paddle past rock formations along the Nanaura Coast.
In the evening, enjoy traditional performances and musical events. You might catch a jazz set in the lounge or try the Sado Okesa dance, a folk tradition unique to the island. For a moment of quiet magic, sit on the white swing in the garden and watch the sky change colors as day turns to night.
Additional Features
- Seasonal seafood grilled on the beach
- Scenic path through the 7,000-tsubo garden
- Photo-friendly swing by the coast
- Natural planetarium with smartphone stargazing
- Okesa folk dance shows and lessons
- Activity calendar with local festival information
- Tourism library and yukata rental near the front desk
