Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa メルキュール和歌山串本リゾート＆スパ 和歌山串本美居溫泉度假酒店

Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa is a hilltop resort hotel located in Sangodai, Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. Sitting about 38 meters above sea level, the property overlooks the Pacific Ocean at the southernmost point of Honshu. From ocean-side guest rooms, the open-air baths, and the garden area, guests can enjoy sweeping views of Hashigui-iwa, Kii Oshima, and the endless horizon. The hotel is also known for offering front-row views of sunrise—selected as one of the “100 Best Sunrises in Japan”—which can be admired directly from guest rooms or the open-air bath.

Access is convenient: it’s about a 15-minute walk or a short three-minute taxi ride from JR Kushimoto Station. For those traveling by car, the common route is to drive south on Route 42 from the Susami South or Susami IC on the Kisei Expressway. Situated roughly halfway between Nanki Shirahama and Nachikatsuura, the hotel serves as a practical base for exploring southern Kii Peninsula highlights such as the Kumano Sanzan shrines, Nachi Falls, and the Shirahama area.

The 13-story hotel is a large-scale property with 251 guest rooms, including Western-style rooms, Japanese-style rooms, and Japanese-Western hybrids. Many rooms offer a spacious layout of 36 m² or more. Options include twins and doubles, Japanese-Western rooms furnished with two single beds plus futons, and corner rooms suitable for couples, families, and groups. All rooms are non-smoking and equipped with amenities such as a TV, Wi-Fi, refrigerator, electric kettle, bathtub-equipped bathroom, and safety box. The ocean-view Classic Twin (Japanese-Western) type accommodates up to four guests with two single beds and two futons.

Most guest rooms offer ocean views, with the south-facing rooms overlooking Hashigui-iwa, Kii Oshima, and the vast Pacific. Guests often mention waking up to the sunrise over the sea and watching the shifting colors of the sky and water throughout the day. Many rooms have chairs and small tables by the window, making it easy to enjoy a relaxed moment with tea or coffee while taking in the scenery.

The main dining venue is a buffet restaurant featuring seafood nurtured by the Kuroshio Current—tuna, bonito, and local specialties like sanma sushi. Dishes incorporating seafood from Kushimoto, known as the first town in the world to achieve complete aquaculture of bluefin tuna, are offered alongside warm dishes and salads using local produce. Both breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style with a mix of Japanese and Western items, as well as desserts.

The hotel’s hot spring facilities center on the open-air rock bath “Kuroshio-no-Yu.” From this bath, guests can look out over Hashigui-iwa and the Pacific Ocean while listening to the sound of the waves. Early morning bathers can enjoy the sunrise from the open-air bath—one of the standout experiences at the property. Indoor baths and a sauna are also available, offering a relaxing environment to unwind after long drives or sightseeing. A dedicated onsen lounge on the first floor provides a comfortable space to rest after bathing.

Dining and lounge services include offerings such as “Raku-go (Evening Social)” and “Choto (Nightcap),” where sparkling wine, beer, wine, soft drinks, and light snacks are served depending on the time of day. All guest rooms come with lounge access, allowing guests to move between the lounge and restaurant freely and enjoy a leisurely stay within the hotel.

The hotel follows an all-inclusive concept. Representative plans include breakfast and dinner buffets, free-flow drinks (including alcohol) in the buffet restaurant and lounge, access to the hot spring, and selected in-house activities—all included in the stay (some premium drinks and activities are available at an extra charge). While lunch is not offered, the combination of breakfast, dinner, and lounge services makes it easy to enjoy a fully self-contained stay. Non–all-inclusive options, such as bed-and-breakfast or room-only plans, are also available to suit different travel styles.

For activities, the hotel offers a summer-only outdoor pool, small seasonal events, and suggested itineraries combined with sightseeing. The Kushimoto area is popular for diving and snorkeling, with attractions such as coral reefs, whale watching, the Turkish Warship Memorial, and Cape Shionomisaki Observation Tower all within reach. The hotel also serves as a convenient base for visiting the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes and the Kumano Sanzan shrines, appealing to travelers who want to experience both coastal and mountain landscapes.

Facilities include a buffet restaurant, lounge, large public bath with open-air hot spring and sauna, onsen lounge, outdoor pool, banquet halls, meeting rooms, a gift shop, coin laundry, and vending machines. Parking is available on-site for guests traveling by car, making the hotel practical for road trips around the Nanki region. As parking conditions may change, checking the latest information in advance is recommended.

Overall, Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa is a resort hotel that showcases the ocean of Kushimoto—the southernmost area of Honshu—with ocean-view rooms, open-air hot spring baths overlooking Hashigui-iwa and the Pacific, a buffet using local ingredients, and all-inclusive lounge services. Located on a quiet coastal hillside away from the busier areas of Nanki Shirahama and Nachikatsuura, it is a fitting choice for families, couples, and groups seeking a relaxed base while exploring the Kumano Kodo, Kumano Sanzan, and the marine activities of Kushimoto.