guntû: A Floating Ryokan Cruise Through Japan’s Seto Inland Sea

Sleek and minimalist, guntû sails like a floating ryokan across Japan’s Seto Inland Sea.

It just doesn’t get any better than this. If in your travels you prefer the charms of traditional Japanese ryokans to big city satin-sheet luxury, consider guntû (always written with a lower-case ‘g’ and pronounced “gantsu”), the elegant floating Ryokan that glides across the tranquil Seto inland sea--offering refined comfort, exquisite cuisine, and views that soothe the soul. In this detailed guntû review, we share what it’s really like to sail Japan’s Seto Inland Sea aboard this one-of-a-kind floating ryokan.

Stepping aboard guntû feels like entering another realm. From the outside, the vessel resembles a sleek, minimalist inn perched atop a low-slung ship. Designed by Japanese architect Yasushi Horibe and launched in 2017, its silhouette is calm and understated. But inside? Prepare for a serene, light-filled world of warm wood, Zen-inspired design, and curated simplicity. Even the three-story spiral staircase whispers sophistication.

Even the staircases aboard guntû are an invitation to slow down and savor the design.

From above, guntû’s sculptural staircase reveals its quiet elegance and flowing form.

A Ship Unlike Any Other

guntû isn’t a cruise. It’s a retreat at sea. The vessel hosts just 38 guests across 19 suites, with its lower two decks devoted to accommodation and amenities: a full spa, gym, gender-separated communal baths with rotating saunas, and a tranquil library lounge. Horibe’s signature wood paneling flows throughout the interiors, wrapping you in the scent and stillness of Japanese cypress.

On guntû, you can sip tea on the engawa porch or dine in sunlit serenity—both with panoramic views of the Seto Sea.

Outside, protected observation decks and covered engawa-style porches invite slow strolls and sea gazing. The top deck includes a forward-facing bar (manned by a wonderfully jovial barman), a six-seat sushi counter, a plush indoor lounge facing the horizon, and a rear terrace perfect for sipping tea or simply being still. Just inside, you'll find racks of warmly-padded overcoats in the third deck hallway, thoughtfully provided for passengers who want to walk the decks outside on cooler days.

The bar on guntû is a cozy, elegant space where guests can enjoy craft cocktails or a quiet glass of wine while watching the Seto Inland Sea slip by.

This sweeping rear terrace—open to all guests—is perfect for cocktails, quiet moments, or watching the sea drift by.

Suites with a View (and a Bath)

Each suite comes with a private terrace, seating area, and panoramic sea views—including from the bath. Middle- and high-tier suites also feature open-air soaking tubs, and the Grand Suite includes a window-facing cedar bathtub with sunset views.

From sunset baths to sea-facing terraces, guntû’s suites offer luxury that flows seamlessly from indoors to out.

Every room includes thoughtful extras: yukatas, writing desks, iPads for service access, refrigerators stocked with wine and chilled tea, bright orange yuzu fruits provided to impart aromatic delight both to your personal bath, and super-comfy bedding. At night, you drift to sleep with the soft rocking of the Seto Sea beneath you. 

Exceptional Service, Exceptional Services

Every member of guntû’s staff is gracious, responsive and willing to do whatever is necessary to accommodate passenger needs and whims. While many conduct themselves with a rather formal Japanese “service face,” all are eager to personalize your passenger experience. We enjoyed getting to know many of them, notably the wonderfully upbeat staff and mixologist extraordinaire.

Green tea is always available aboard guntû, a nod to Japanese hospitality and quiet luxury.

Although English fluency is not universal among the crew, you will have no difficulty getting your concerns and requests addressed promptly. .

Wellness on the Water

Communal bath or private retreat? Either way, soaking in guntû’s onsen while the sun dips below the waves is unforgettable.

While the suites are hard to leave, guntû offers plenty of reasons to explore. Start your morning with yoga on deck. Book a session in the spa, where Japanese nentai massage techniques (a style created exclusively for guntû) provide slow, intense pressure to deeply relax the body. We can affirm that this unusual deep tissue technique really works. The spa area also includes two beautiful saunas and a massage suite that opens to the sea breeze. guntû also has a fully-furnished gym.

On the terrace of the Grand Suite while receiving Nentai massage (Japanese dry massage).

Cuisine that Defies Description

In other settings it may be pretentious to describe food as ‘gastronomy.’ On guntû, no other term applies. Food aboard guntû is more than sustenance—it's an experience. There’s no fixed menu. Instead, each meal is curated from the day’s freshest catch or harvest. You select your preferences, and the chefs respond. The motto: "Enjoy what you want, as much as you want." Want to try a bit of everything? Go ahead. Craving a light meal or extra helping? Done.

A preview of dinner on guntû: guests choose from the day's bounty of ocean catch, Wagyu, and regional vegetables.

Produce is locally sourced, and seafood comes straight from the waters you sail. It's not the catch of the day—it's catches of the day, laid before you to choose from, then expertly prepared to your taste. Whether your choices are western-inspired, esoteric Japanese ingredients, or a combination of both, your meal will delight your eye as well as your palate.

A simple yet elegant bowl of crab soup, served with pickled vegetables and pristine presentation.

Even the salads aboard guntû are a feast for the eyes—crisp, colorful, and dressed with finesse.

The sushi bar, supervised by Nobuo Sakamoto of the sushi restaurant Nobu at Awajishima, is exceptional, delivering artistry and theater. While watching the sushi chefs’ dazzling knife work, guests enjoy the remarkable sushi. A few sake toasts later, and our eclectic group of eight guests at the bar, Japanese and gaijin alike, were swapping stories ―language barrier be damned―and laughing with collective pleasure.

At the sushi bar, meals become moments—intimate, interactive, and unforgettable.

 Every sushi piece is prepared with quiet artistry.

Tea, Ceremony, and Cross-Cultural Joy

Between meals, there’s time for quieter joys. Join the "Experience of Tea Ceremony" in the lounge, where a tea master handcrafts wagashi sweets and demonstrates the art of Japanese tea, providing a rare opportunity to watch an artisan plying his trade. Or simply linger on the deck, immersed in ocean air and warm light.

Participate in a hands-on tea ceremony and taste hand-crafted seasonal sweets.

A Story to Savor

At one dinner, after having binged on the delights of the sushi bar earlier in the day, Doug pronounced himself 'fished out.' He let his eyes meander over the less prominent items on the menu, and noticed a modest listing: "beef stew." Imagining potatoes, carrots and hunks of meat floating in some kind of brown soupy gravy, he ordered it anyway.

Not every highlight is planned—this wagyu stew was a surprise star of the voyage.

What arrived? Wagyu beef in a deeply hued demi-glace, so rich and delectable that after one bite, Doug exclaimed in astonishment, “this is absolutely the best bite of food I have ever tasted in my life!” Skeptical, Pam took a bite, swooned--and ordered the same.

Planning Your guntû Cruise

Trips vary from two to three nights, with itineraries departing from Bella Vista Marina in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. Routes change seasonally but include eastern, central, and western circuits of the Seto Inland Sea. Unlike typical cruises, guntû rarely docks at ports. Instead, it anchors, offering passengers immersive excursions and curated shore activities.

It’s not inexpensive, and it’s not for everyone—but if tranquility, elegance, and a slow journey through Japan's most scenic waters call to you, this might be your perfect voyage.

To view upcoming itineraries and pricing, visit the official guntû website. Book early; sailings fill quickly.

The view from above the Seto Inland Sea, with Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge threading through the islands like a ribbon.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t a cruise ship. It’s a floating sanctuary. Every detail—from the nentai massage to the spiral staircase to that unforgettable wagyu beef—has been designed to slow you down, draw you in, and leave you changed.

Whether you're a seasoned Japan traveler or looking for your first brush with luxury in the archipelago, guntû is a dream made real on the Seto Sea.

Planning a Setouchi adventure or seeking a once-in-a-lifetime Japanese travel experience?

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guntû Review Summary: Is This Floating Ryokan Worth It?

Absolutely. guntû delivers an unmatched blend of peaceful luxury, personalized service, and sensory richness—all in motion. From the design to the dining, every moment feels rare and curated. If you're looking for a transformative, off-the-grid experience in Japan, this is it.

guntû guests explore dramatic architecture and open-air decks during a shore excursion with commanding sea views.