Tarto in Japan

Upon leaving Shimoda, I went further along the coast and stopped at Dogashima. There's nothing special there but it's really pretty, and there's a rotenburo I definitely wanted to try...Yes, I'd do anything for a good onsen! Of course, it's not worth going to that kind of place if the weather is not good but I was lucky, it was hot and sunny.

Dogashima is sometimes compared to Matsushima, because of its many rocks. I didn't particularly like Matsushima (no nice viewpoint), but Dogashima was great. It's pretty, relaxing...but I'd better show you some pictures:

That rock is called "the elephant rock", I think I don't need to explain why:

I'm not forgetting the highlight...THE rotenburo I went for! What's so special about it is that it is perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific! Look at that picture:

Can you see the small hut?...It's there!

I'm getting there:

The view from the bath is fantastic:

It feels sooooo good:

For those who have forgotten what a rotenburo is, let me remind that it's an open-air bath filled with water from a natural hot spring...it's just amazing! Bathing in such conditions, with such a wonderful view, is simply unforgettable!...But I think you know what I mean...

As for the accommodation, there's no cheap option in Dogashima but it doesn't matter, as I had planned to stay at higher-end places. So I ended up paying 27000yen (about 270 US dollars) for a night at a ryokan. Sure it was expensive, but it was well worth it! First, the hotel's rotenburo was top notch:

Then, the dinner was huge, not only in quantity but also in quality. And, it goes without saying, served in the room:

I particularly enjoyed the sashimi carpaccio (yes, you read it right!) :

And tuna sashimi:

Simply said, the best I've ever had in my whole life!...The taste was just wonderful...mmmmm

And for that price, the view from the room is also exceptional: