Kappo Ryokan Okaya

About Kappo Ryokan Okaya

Located in Okitsu-shuku, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Kappo Ryokan Okaya is a historic Japanese inn that was founded as a hatago (traditional travelers’ inn) in the late Edo period. It is said to be the last surviving hatago along the Tokaido Road’s Fifty-Three Stations. Once home to around 38 inns, Okitsu-shuku is now home to the only hatago that continues to welcome guests today, preserving a glimpse of the town’s historic atmosphere.

Okitsu is a former post town located just beyond Satta Pass, which was famously depicted in ukiyo-e prints by Utagawa Hiroshige. The area is also close to Kiyomigata, a scenic spot that has been known for its beautiful landscape since ancient times. Conveniently located just a six-minute walk from JR Okitsu Station, Okaya has long served as a welcoming base for travelers walking along the historic Tokaido Road and visitors exploring the area’s rich history.

More than simply a place to stay, Okaya plays an important role in preserving and passing on the history and culture of the local community. The inn is also dedicated to sharing the unique charm of Okitsu, once a bustling post town along the Tokaido. Here, guests can experience the spirit of Japanese hospitality that has welcomed travelers for centuries while enjoying a peaceful and relaxing stay.

Dining

True to its name as a kappo ryokan, one of Okaya’s greatest attractions is its seasonal kaiseki cuisine, centered around fresh seafood from Suruga Bay. Okaya’s culinary tradition dates back to its early days as a teahouse and small traditional restaurant. Today, that tradition lives on in carefully prepared dishes that highlight the natural flavors of each ingredient. Guests can choose from a variety of meal plans, including the Standard Course and upgraded options, depending on their preferences.

The kaiseki menu changes with the seasons, allowing guests to enjoy fresh seafood at its seasonal best. One of the inn’s signature dishes is Okitsu-dai no Sugatayaki, a whole grilled sea bream that is available as a seasonal specialty from winter through early spring. Beautifully grilled until fragrant, this local delicacy has long been enjoyed in the Okitsu area and is said to have been a favorite of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Another specialty is Amadai no Matsukasa-yaki, a grilled tilefish prepared with its scales left on. As the fish is cooked, the scales open up like the leaves of a pine cone, creating a distinctive appearance and a wonderfully crisp texture.

Breakfast at Okaya is a traditional Japanese-style breakfast, offering a peaceful and relaxing way to begin the day. Guests can enjoy a generous selection of fresh local seafood and vegetables, carefully chosen to reflect the flavors of the region.

Dining at Okaya is not limited to overnight guests. Visitors are also welcome to enjoy a meal without staying overnight. For those looking to experience authentic kappo cuisine in a historic setting, a meal at Okaya is a wonderful way to savor both the flavors and traditions of this historic inn.

Onsen

Okaya also features a private bath where guests can relax and unwind after a day of traveling. Spacious enough for four to five people, the bath offers families and couples the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful and private bathing experience together.

Surrounded by the calm atmosphere of the historic building, guests can slow down and enjoy the gentle passage of time in this former post town while refreshing both body and mind.

Please note that the bath is not a natural hot spring. Rather than a stay centered around onsen bathing, Okaya is especially recommended for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the history of the Tokaido Road, discover the local culture of Okitsu, and savor authentic seasonal Japanese cuisine.

Rooms

The guest rooms at Okaya offer a peaceful Japanese-style setting where guests can experience the traditional atmosphere of a historic hatago inn. Outside the windows, a beautifully maintained Japanese garden unfolds, and some rooms also offer views of the sea.

After exploring the historic post town, returning to a room steeped in centuries of history may evoke a sense of nostalgia. The peaceful surroundings, where the gentle sound of waves can be heard, are another special feature of staying at Okaya.

In 2025, two spacious 15-tatami-mat rooms, “Kanzakura-no-Ma” and “Matsukaze-no-Ma,” were renovated. Each room features a generous engawa sitting area where guests can relax while enjoying views of the garden. Rather than the modern atmosphere of a contemporary hotel, Okaya offers the unique charm of a traditional Japanese inn. Here, guests can slow down, unwind, and experience a peaceful stay surrounded by history and Japanese tradition.

Special Experience

One of Okaya’s greatest attractions is the opportunity to actually stay at what is said to be the last surviving hatago along the historic Tokaido Road. Spending a night in a place where travelers once stopped on their journeys allows you to experience the history of the old post town in a way that goes beyond simply visiting it.

The area surrounding Okaya is part of the cultural heritage sites that make up the Japan Heritage story, “Yaji-san and Kita-san’s Journey through Suruga.” By exploring the town on foot with resources such as the digital historical map, visitors can imagine what the Tokaido Road was like during the Edo period. Okaya also offers Goshukuba-in, commemorative stamps from historic post towns, making them a wonderful keepsake to remember your journey along the old road.

Okaya can also be seen as a place that helps preserve the history and culture of Okitsu-shuku for future generations. By carrying on the spirit of hospitality that has welcomed travelers since the Edo period, while continuing to share the unique charm of the local area, Okaya remains an important part of the community.

For travelers who want to experience history, local cuisine, and the culture of Japan’s historic post towns, Kappo Ryokan Okaya offers a truly unique place to stay—where the journey itself becomes part of the experience.

Plan List

Access

6 Okitsuhoncho, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0205, Japan

By Car

From Tokyo:
Take the Tomei Expressway and exit at the Shimizu Interchange. From there, it takes approximately 15 minutes via National Route 1.

From the Kansai area:
Take the Meishin or Shin-Meishin Expressway and connect to the Tomei Expressway. Exit at the Shimizu Interchange, then take National Route 1. The drive takes approximately 15 minutes.

By Public Transportation

From Tokyo:
Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to either Mishima Station or Shizuoka Station, then transfer to the JR Tokaido Main Line. Get off at Okitsu Station, which is approximately a 10-minute walk from the inn.

From the Kansai area:
Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Shizuoka Station, then transfer to the JR Tokaido Main Line. Get off at Okitsu Station, approximately a 10-minute walk from the inn.

Basic Information

Frequently Asked Questions