Inn features
- Hot spring
Only features verified through published information or reporting are shown.
This article is a research guide that collates official information as of 2026-08-12 and guest reviews that can currently be viewed. Whether the cat comes to the room depends on the cat’s mood and is not a guaranteed service.
About the photo: it does not show this inn or its resident cats
This illustration does not document the rooms or cats currently in residence.
Illustrative image (not a photograph of Nozomi’s cat or inside the inn) / Photo: Muhammad Khawar Nazir, Pexels
“Onsen Minshuku Bokai” in Shirahama-cho, Wakayama Prefecture is a long-established guesthouse run by a fisherman, where you can enjoy seafood and hot springs directly from the source. According to the current reviews, there are two cats living there, and it is possible that they may appear in your room.
Whether the cat comes to the room depends on the cat’s mood.
Current review of Jalan records that there are two cats.Rakuten Travel Review has a specific explanation that cats can go back and forth between neighboring rooms, and whether or not they can be seen depends on the cat’s mood.
Classified as A based on this accommodation information. However, not all guest rooms have the same structure, and you may not be able to reserve cat visitation or access. Don’t go into private areas looking for cats, just follow the directions at the accommodation.
“Kanro no Yu” flowing directly from the source
Official website informs you that you can enjoy “Kanro no Yu”, which is said to be of the highest quality among the springs in Shirahama, flowing directly from the source. The traditional method of opening the hot water valve by the guests is also unique to the inn.
This is a bathhouse at a guest house, not a large hot spring hotel, so please check the hours of use, reservation conditions, and how to enter during busy times. The temperature of the hot springs changes depending on the season and the amount of water put in, so don’t overheat it and consult your hotel.
Fisherman’s seafood dishes and free plans
The main dishes are seafood caught by the owner’s boat “Bokaimaru” and the famous pirate hotpot. In addition to seafood meals, there are also plans that include breakfast or stay overnight at restaurants in Shirahama.
Shirarahama, Yuzaki Fishing Port, and Fisherman’s Wharf Shirahama are each approximately 5 minutes’ walk away. The location makes it easy to combine the sea, public baths, and meals on foot.
What you need to know before making a reservation
- There are cases where cats come to your room, but visits are not guaranteed.
- Please check with the inn for the current names, number and range of cats.
- If you have a cat allergy, please consult the inn before making a reservation, including the guest room structure.
- Meal contents vary greatly depending on the plan, so if you don’t like seafood, it’s best to consult in advance.
- Please check the reservation screen to ensure you do not confuse the common facilities of a guest house with the guest room facilities of a large hotel.
Basic information
| Item | Contents |
|---|---|
| Facility name | Onsen Minshuku Bokai |
| Address | 2324-2, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama 649-2211 (local address: 〒649-2211 和歌山県西牟婁郡白浜町2324-2) |
| Distance from cats | Check current reviews to see if there are two resident cats and if they appear in your room |
| Hot springs | Kanro-no-yu, flowing directly from the source |
| Meals | Seafood, pirate hotpot, etc. Room without meals and breakfast included |
| Access | Approximately 15 minutes by bus or 10 minutes by car from JR Shirahama Station |
| Official website | Onsen Minshuku Bokai |
Location and Google Maps
Onsen Minshuku Bokai (温泉民宿 望海)
〒649-2211 和歌山県西牟婁郡白浜町2324-2
Summary
Onsen Minshuku Bokai is an inn where you can not only have a chance encounter with a resident cat, but also enjoy hot springs flowing directly from the source, fish dishes prepared by fishermen, and a walkable location for sightseeing in Shirahama. Although the possibility of a resident cat appearing in your room is appealing, be sure to respect the cat’s mood and plan your trip so that you can enjoy the hot springs and ocean even when the cat doesn’t come.
