Azumi Setoda

We had the pleasure of staying at this extraordinary ryokan during a short stop on our journey through Japan, and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip.
From the moment we arrived, everything was handled with care, elegance, and attention to detail. The atmosphere is incredibly serene, offering a perfect blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and refined comfort.
A special thank you to the manager for her warm welcome and genuine kindness — her hospitality made our stay even more memorable and personal.
Every aspect of the experience was flawless, from the setting to the service. We only regret not having stayed longer.
We would highly recommend this ryokan to anyone looking for an authentic and exceptional Japanese experience.

We had an excellent stay at Azumi Setoda. The property blends modern comfort with local character, and everything felt thoughtfully curated—from the materials in the rooms to the way the experience is paced. The atmosphere is serene day and night, and Setoda itself is charming.
The staff—especially GM Yoshi—ensure everything you need is provided on time and with precision. I can’t say enough about the team’s ability to anticipate and understand both needs and wants.
What made it feel like “old Japan” was right outside: nearby temples, zen experiences with Buddhist monks, and school children skipping down the streets. Overall, a standout stay and a wonderful base for enjoying Setoda at a relaxed, higher-end standard.

Wow what a wonderful hotel! If you want to some peace and quiet this is the place to go. There is an Onsen across the street that is very nice. I drove here from Hiroshima airport and it was such a beautiful drive! The hotel restaurant dinner was very high quality and delicious. There is no TV in the room because they want you to unplug from technology and be peaceful ☺️. But they said they can bring one in if you prefer. The hotel also offers bike tours which was very fun! And get to see the area from a different view!

OK so I loved the little town of Setoda, in the middle of scores of islands and on a major bike path. 2 great runs in the morning and wonderful biking. We arrived later our first of 2 nights and ate at SOIL, just down the street and fun and casual. The hotel staff were very welcoming and the re-design of the old building was immaculate. I will say the room, while spacious and clean was perhaps not completely comfortable for a gaijin, the mattresses were separate and very low and the sitting spaces above the beds were on the floor with a recess for your feet, but all doable and yes I acknowledge my 67 year old preferences! Our second night we had dinner at the hotel restaurant which was one of our best meals in Japan, outstanding. Definitely recommend the Azumi Setoda for a few nights.

What a wonderful surprise of a hotel. The ambience is fantastic, modern Japanese, clean line beautiful new addition set next to the historic building. The food at dinner was outstanding, can not recommend this place more.

This was my second visit to Azumi Setoda, and returning felt just as magical as my first time—if not more. One of the main reasons I came back was Yoshi. She is an absolute star: gracious, warm, and an incredible asset to the Azumi team. Her presence makes the experience feel personal and unforgettable.
The hotel itself is a sanctuary of refinement. The interiors are decorated with such class and understated elegance that you immediately feel grounded the moment you arrive. Dining here is an experience in itself—absolutely exquisite—so I would highly recommend booking in advance to secure a table.
Setoda is known as a mecca for cyclists, but even if you don’t come for cycling, the hotel offers a rare kind of peace. It is a place where you can truly replenish your spirit and reconnect with yourself amidst its serene surroundings.
To the Azumi team: thank you for making this stay so special once again. I already cannot wait to return. This hotel is a gem, and I would recommend it over and over without hesitation.

Beautiful ryokan-inspired hotel where tradition meets modern comfort. The original 18th-century house has been meticulously restored and cleverly expanded to fit the spacious guest rooms. Rooms are enormous — larger than a small apartment — with elegant minimalist design, cypress wood furniture (even the bathtub) and a calm, refined atmosphere that makes you want to stay in all day. Staff are wonderfully accommodating, friendly and professional, making it feel like a true 5-star experience. A great bonus is the free access to the sento public baths next door.

1 night in to a 2 night stay, came to recharge after a high intensity week in Tokyo and Kyoto. This really is a stunning place, we were just marveling at the thought and detail that has gone into the design and layout of the room.
The staff is kind, thoughtful, and helpful.
The town is a nice quiet place to be to walk and eat.
But I really cannot say enough about how well everything fits together from the building to the rooms to the staff. I wish we didn't have to leave tomorrow.

An exceptional stay at Azumi Setoda! From the warm, personal greetings (yes, the GM herself made sure we felt right at home) to the stunning modern take on a traditional luxury ryokan, every detail impressed. The locally sourced, traditional breakfast was a delight, and the fun lemon farm cycling tour added the perfect quirky touch to our trip. Perfectly situated near Setoda Port, this gem is a must-stay—and I’ll be back when I’m ready to conquer the Shimanami Kaido!

We stayed for 2 short nights at this small fabulous hotel. All the communication pre check in and after check in was professional and helpful.
The hotel has been most magnificently and tastefully renovated. Arriving for breakfast at the most peaceful setting was a highlight of our trip to Japan. The 10 course dinner at their restaurant was outstanding and highly recommended.
The rooms were beautiful. We all had the best nights sleep and we appreciated them accommodating our 10 year olds upstairs.
The cycle tour they arranged for us was amazing and the entire family loved it.
Our only complaint was that our stay was too short. We enjoyed the slower pace this brought to our busy 3 week trip.

I had been looking forward to staying in this beautiful building—a renovated old salt factory on Ikuchijima Island. However, upon entering, I found the layout inconvenient, with the dining area located right at the entrance, meaning other guests would come and go during meals. The room and facilities were also not user-friendly. While the design was clearly prioritized, it lacked functionality, and the overall experience, including the service, was disappointing.

Definition of luxury and style! The rooms are insanely chic, private and relaxing. The dinner was UNREAL. The chef came out to speak with us after and we ended up having a private dining experience that was absolutely incredible. Would highly highly recommend Azuma Setoda thank you!

We loved our 3 day stay! We came to the island to relax after traveling & exploring for 14 days. Make sure to eat in the restaurant at least once! The menu & service was amazing! Thank you for hosting us!

My husband and I stayed at Azumi Setoda for one night as we came to the island to do some cycling. What a high end establishment, a jewel near the riverbank of this quiet village. The quality of the workmanship and material used to renovate this family mansion is outstanding. The attention to details is second to none. We were warmly welcomed and can only highly recommend this ryokan. We had diner at a nearby restaurant called Tan Tan as recommended by the lady on reception and had a very nice dinner. Breakfast Kaiseki style, simply wonderful.

We stayed here for 2 nights after a week of Kyoto and Kurashiki. It was a wonderful contrast in its serenity and quiet. We needed a place to rest and we had a restful stay.
The staff, especially Mizukami San, were kind attentive and efficient! The.
Food at the hotel and the next door restaurant Tantan was marvellous. The sake was some of the best we have had! And my Japanese breakfast was excellent and my husband enjoyed his western breakfast!
Our room was quiet with a lovely cedar bath which I used both days! And hotel is small but lovely with a gorgeous Japanese garden.
I am only giving it 4/5 because the Onsen was not in the hotel! It was half a second walk, right across the street but I can see why some people would prefer a hotel Onsen.
We really enjoyed our stay! Do not forget to drink the orange juice. Delicious and a good remedy after a long night of sake drinking!

When we arrived, we were informed that the reservation was for one person instead of two. However, we had booked through Booking. Com and received a confirmation email clearly stating the reservation was for two people. The hotel attempted to charge us an additional fee of over 4, 000 yen for the second guest. While this error was not the hotel's fault, the treatment we received from one particular front desk staff member was disappointing and far below the standard we’ve come to expect in Japan. She was unnecessarily arrogant and dismissive.
As for the hotel itself, the design is undeniably beautiful, but it lacks warmth and soul. To add to the disappointment, we were told around 9:30 PM that the only alcoholic beverage available for room service was beer because the bar and kitchen had already closed.
Another issue is the layout of the hotel—every time you leave, you’re forced to walk through the dining area, which felt uncomfortable as it drew stares from other guests, mostly foreign tourists.
The morning service was equally disappointing—during breakfast, not even water was offered for our child.
There is significant room for improvement to create a more welcoming and accommodating experience.

Azumi Setoda is a lovely hotel! The plus is the beautiful rooms, the nice historical building and the location which has lots of little shops and restaurants around.
As mentioned by many other guests, the highlight of Azumi Setoda is its restaurant. It is truly special and definitely deserving of 1 or 2 Michelin stars.
We really enjoyed our stay. Highlights around the hotel are Tantan restaurant (a must), Overview Coffee and Soil Café, and an awesome bar right accross the road called Bar Ochi owned by an old cocktail master (also a must).
The only thing I will say is that with a full Aman management team, there should be some sort of English speaking concierge there and an email from them to plan the activities for our stay. We felt like there were pdfs sent to us with some places to eat and things to do, but no one to explain anything to us and give us recommendations.