Moooo! Bar Reservations

"Just really wanted to say how absolutely thrilled we all were that Shiraishi was part of our trip, right up there in the most memorable dept. Personally I think your Island is a delight; an escape from the world. Loved Harada San and his wife and the Minshuku, the yachtting.....what a trip!"

Kevin, USA

Please be aware that while you can come and stay on Shiraishi all year-round, the Moooo! Bar is open only in the summer time (every day in July and August but in June and September only on Sundays). Other times, the bar is closed except for private parties or by appointment.

If you are coming out to Shiraishi for the day, you do not need reservations. Since Shiraishi is a rather remote location however, most people choose to stay at least one night on the island, if not more, as there are many things to do here such as hiking in the mountains, or enjoying a day sailing or kayaking in the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea.

There are several places to stay from high-end to budget and even camping. Also new this year is a beautiful little rental house which can be rented for one night or longer-term (located on a hill overlooking the Inland Sea).

Please note that the Moooo! Bar is located on the beach in front of San-chan's and Minshuku Harada.

Japan is still very much a cash-based society. Outside of the big cities, expect to pay in cash for everything, including accommodations.

Shiraishi Reservations

Shiraishi Reservations is a liaison service set up by the Moooo! Bar to help facilitate communications between foreign visitors and island residents. As the only English speakers on the island, we provide the following free services:

* Booking into local accommodations (including the international villa)

* Booking dinners or beach BBQ's at local restaurants

* Booking kayaks, windsurfers, sailing trips and Island Explorer motor boat trips.

* Transportation from the port to your accommodation (except for the international villa, which requires you to walk up a hill via a footpath to get to it).

* Weather updates for typhoons and inclement weather

* Language assistance should you need it anytime during your stay on Shiraishi Island. We speak English, Japanese, Spanish, Indonesian and Australian.

*Receiving minshuku deposits and booking fees where applicable.

We can be reached anytime at the following email:

Shiraishi Reservations

The Cottage

We now have a cottage available for up to 10 people. The cottage is located on a hill overlooking the Inland Sea, providing excellent views of the sea and a great position for viewing the sunset. This modern style weekend cottage has a private deck, a BBQ area and an outdoor rotenburo bath. One bedroom with futons (sleeps 2-4). The living room is tatami mat and can also sleep up to 6 on futons. Full bath and Western style toilet. Fully equipped kitchen. TV, CD player, airconditioning.

Short-term (one night or weekend) or long-term rentals (one week to one month) available. A 10-minute walk to the beach. Payment method: cash or Paypal.

Price varies according to how many people, length of stay and season. Contact us at:

Shiraishi Reservations

See more photos

Shiraishi International Villa

The Shiraishi International Villa is now under new management. The international villa offers rooms, communal cooking facilities and a shared bath at budget rates. There are five rooms in total: 4 western style rooms with two single beds and one Japanese style room with tatami mat and four futons. Maximum occupancy is 10.

Rooms are 3,500 yen per person per night, with each night after that 3,000 yen. (Add 500 yen extra per night for single occupancy).

The international villa is a great place to stay if you want to meet other travelers, don't mind cooking your own food. The villa sits up on a hill and has views of the Seto Inland Sea. There is a deck to lounge on as well as a living room with a stereo, so bring some CD's. There is no TV, internet or international telephone.

Click here for vacancies:

Vacancies

San-chan's on the beach

A restaurant and bar which offers no-frills accommodations, San-chan's is the cheapest minshuku on the island and has five rooms (not all facing the beach). Rooms are 2,500 yen per person per night. Add 500 yen if you want breakfast. Food can also be bought separately from their menu, "izakaya" style.

They also rent out their "kyukeisho" (annex) when the rooms are full, so groups or people who don't mind just a space on the floor can still stay for just 2,000 yen per person per night.

Japanese style rooms (with futons) include shared toilet and Japanese style bath, kyukeisho (futons) includes shared toilet and shower. Western-style toilet available. No English spoken. Gestures okay! Fun, local atmosphere. Free internet and wireless for those who bring their own laptops.

Payment method: cash only

Note: There is a 500 yen per person booking fee for San-chan's.

Book here:

Shiraishi Reservations

Minshuku Harada on the beach

Higher-end accommodations with excellent sea food and a nice Japanese family atmosphere. The owner, Mr. Harada (aka Sea-kun), is an excellent cook. At 9,000 yen per night per person, including breakfast and dinner, it's a little more expensive but definitely worth it. Free Internet and wireless.

Futons. No Western-style toilet. Mr. Harada speaks some English. He also does the sea kayak and windsurfing rentals for 1,000 yen per hour.

Payment method: cash only

Book here:

Shiraishi Reservations

Read about the do's and dont's of staying at a Japanese-style minshuku

Beach House

This is a budget option, especially good for families or groups up to 12 people. Located at the far end of the beach, this old traditional Japanese house has a 12-tatami mat room with futons. Everyone sleeps in the same room. Bring and cook your own food. A gas range, BBQ, refrigerator and cooking utensils are provided. The outdoor cooking and eating area is shared and faces the sea. You have a private beach out your front door during low tide. No airconditioning but fan available.

The shower and toilet facilities are very basic, akin to camping ;)

Beach House Price: 2,500 yen per night per person.

There is a Western-style non-flush toilet (ie: an out-house) and a shower.

Amano-san, who owns the beach house, also rents tent space for 1,000 yen per person per night and campers can use the facilities at the Beach House.

Payment method: cash only.

Book here:

Shiraishi Reservations

Read more about Amano-san

Otafuku Ryokan

Otafuku Ryokan, under new management, has opened up to foreign guests this year.

Otafuku is a welcome addition for those seeking a minshuku with a western toilet! All rooms have a Japanese style toilet attached and new Western style toilets with all the fancy accessories (heated toilet seats, bum washers, etc) down the hallway.

This traditional style Japanese ryokan located on the beach has 15 rooms, all facing the sea. Otafuku also has a iwaburo stone bath (only used in the high season, ie July and August) and they serve up a very traditional complete Japanese dinner with fresh fish, miso soup, rice, vegetables, etc. They will not cook special menus (ie vegetarian, etc) but they feel there is enough food to choose from in one sitting that even those on strict diets will surely find enough to eat.

At 10,500 yen per person per night (includes breakfast and dinner), this ryokan is a little more expensive than other minshukus on the island but it's well worth it if you want to pamper yourself. Good food, spacious rooms and a nice bath are all in one place here. Stroll down the beach in your yukata in the evening--you can't get a more Japanese experience than this.

These people speak no English. Wireless internet available in lobby for those bringing their own laptops.

Payment method: Cash only

Book Here:

Shiraishi Reservations

NEW! Nakanishiya Ryokan has just opened up for "sudomari" reservations. Sudomari means "room only, no meals" and is being offered for 4,500 per person per night. Nakanishiya Ryokan is located on the beach. This is a nice compromise for those wanting something on the beach that is a little nicer than budget acommodation.

Book by emailing us at:

Shiraishi Reservations

Cancellations

If you MUST cancel, contact the minshuku as soon as possible to let them know. Keep in mind that these are small, family-run minshukus, so if you cancel, they may have lost the chance to book someone else in your place. The day before you come, they will be out fishing in the sea and gathering fresh vegetables from the garden for your evening meal. So, if you MUST cancel, you should at least pay a 20 percent cancellation fee to help them recover some costs.

All cancellations can be made by contacting us at:

Shiraishi Reservations