Kawayu Onsen Tabi-no-Yado Shiba

Accommodation

4.22

11 reviews

supper BBQ outside-1

supper BBQ outside-2

Kawayu Onsen Tabi-no-Yado Shiba

supper BBQ outside-1

supper BBQ outside-2

supper BBQ outside-3

Counter area

Bedroom

House sitting area

Bedroom

Sample supper

Kitchen and dining room

House sitting area

Entrance

Bath and changing area

Washing area

Bath

Toilet

Building

Description

Riverside Onsen Rental House

Kawayu Onsen Tabi-no-Yado Shiba is a laidback rental house in central Kawayu Onsen featuring 2 guestrooms, sitting room, full kitchen, and bath with hot spring water.

Over the decades the building was used as a tiny pachinko parlor, cafe, and karaoke bar until it was recently renovated into a guesthouse by Mr. Shiba, a retired fireman. There is still the counter area which is a great place to sit and have a drink. The interior is lined with cedar siding and the sitting area showcases the original beams of the house.

Meals are bento box style from the nearby Minshuku Omuraya.

The river is in front of the house, perfect for swimming in the warmer months.

This is a private rental for one group per day.

■ Regarding guests staying consecutive nights

For guests staying 2 nights or more, be advised the owners will enter the room to clean. Staff will also turn off any air conditioning or lights left on.

Full Name	Kawayu Onsen Tabi-no-Yado Shiba 川湯温泉旅の宿しば
Area	Kawayu Onsen (Hongu)
Type	Rental House
Address	1425-2 Kawayu, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, 647-1717 〒647-1717　和歌山県田辺市本宮町川湯1425-2
Map Code	478 228 151*12
Maps	Google Maps Area KUMANO KODO
Check-in	15:00 - 18:30
Check-out	10:00

Rating & Reviews

4.22

11 reviews

Guestroom

(4.2 / 5)

Baths

(4.2 / 5)

Meals

(4.1 / 5)

Location

(4.5 / 5)

Reception & Service

(4.4 / 5)

Date: Dec/2025

Italy (Female, age **)

Overall:

4.40

Individual: Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 4, Location 5, Reception & Service 5

Plan: Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box

- No subject -

No guest review.

Date: Dec/2025

United States (Male, age 60-69)

Overall:

3.80

Individual: Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 4, Location 4, Reception & Service 3

Plan: Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box

Kawayu Onsen Tabi-no-Yado Shiba

The 4 of us had this entire guest house. The host checked us in, answered any questions we had, and then we did not see him again. The house was comfortable and had all of the essentials for cooking, laundry etc…. It was located close to the center of town and directly across the river to a public onsen that is adjacent to the river, which we enjoyed after a day of hiking. It is also a short walk to Yunomine Onsen which has a trail head for a trail to Hongu. The meals were delivered by a restaurant down the street. The meals were very good.

Date: Nov/2025

Australia (Female, age 70-79)

Overall:

5.00

Individual: Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5

Plan: Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box

- No subject -

The house was in a fantastic area right opposite the river Onsen. The house was spacious and had everything we needed.

Date: Nov/2025

United States (Female, age 70-79)

Overall:

4.20

Individual: Guestroom 4, Baths 5, Meals 3, Location 5, Reception & Service 4

Plan: Supper ＆ Breakfast

Spacious rooms with interesting decors and amenities

The entire house was spacious, but a bit difficult to hang clothes or no place to put things in an orderly manner. Many cosmetic products on site available for use, but presenting a bit disorganized look with many unrelated items on site. The owner came in late, explained things in business like manner, and left hurriedly. The dinner and the breakfast were catered in (they were good, but missing the flavors of home-cooking). The kitchen was fully equipped with all necessary items.

Date: May/2025

United States (Female, age **)

Overall:

1.25

Individual: Guestroom 1, Baths 1, Meals -, Location 1, Reception & Service 2

Plan: Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box

The most expensive place we stayed in with the least provided

This is a rental house, not a room, which is clearly lived in by the host most of the time. You make your own beds on arrival. They are no frills unless you are interested in the copious number of kitchen gadgets! The balcony has a nice view of the river but is a pretty grimy oily place.

Date: May/2025

Costa Rica (Male, age 40-49)

Overall:

5.00

Individual: Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5

Plan: Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box

- No subject -

No guest review.

Date: Dec/2024

Australia (Female, age 60-69)

Overall:

4.80

Individual: Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5

Plan: Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box

- No subject -

I loved this house, and the host was very helpful. We left a couple of bags by mistake with our other luggage that was to be taken to our next accommodation. The host was kind enough to track us down and returned the luggage to us. We were so grateful.

Date: Dec/2024

Switzerland (Male, age **)

Overall:

3.80

Individual: Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 3, Location 4, Reception & Service 4

Plan: Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box

- No subject -

No guest review.

Date: May/2024

Australia (Female, age 30-39)

Overall:

5.00

Individual: Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals -, Location 5, Reception & Service 5

Plan: No Meals

Perfect location

We stayed 2 nights in Kawayu Onsen and Shiba’s home was perfectly located to allow us to relax and enjoy the area between our hiking days. Digging our own hot pools by the river was a highlight for our family of 6. We enjoyed eating our dinners up on the balcony looking over the river each night. The house had everything we needed for our stay.

Date: Apr/2024

Taiwan (Female, age 40-49)

Overall:

4.20

Individual: Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 3, Location 5, Reception & Service 5

Plan: Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box

- No subject -

No guest review.

Date: Mar/2024

China (Female, age 40-49)

Overall:

5.00

Individual: Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5

Plan: Supper ＆ Breakfast

Highly recommended

Had enjoyable and relaxing three nights here. The owner was very patient and helpful in answering all questions. We made reservations for breakfast, dinner and lunch box, and the meals were left at the door every day on time, tasty and very energizing for hiking after eating. We especially recommend the hot springs in the river at night, and it was wonderful to see the stars in the sky! By the way, although the description of the B&B says "no English", and we were a little worried at first, but then we found that the owner speaks and understand basic English, and he also uses translation APP, so we had no problem communicating at all.

Price Plan(s)

Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box

Vegetarian OK

Gluten free OK

Allergy OK

Others OK

from 22,500 yen

Supper ＆ Breakfast

Vegetarian OK

Gluten free OK

Allergy OK

Others OK

from 21,400 yen

Breakfast

Vegetarian OK

Gluten free OK

Allergy OK

Others OK

from 19,800 yen

No Meals

from 17,600 yen

Notice
■ This accommodation follows guidelines to reduce the spread of Covid-19. For Guests ■ Please follow the advice for the public outlined by the World Health Organization when visiting the area.

Statement from the owner to the guests

Guestrooms

Western Style	No
Japanese Style	Yes
Mixed Style	No
Other Style	No

Number of Rooms	3
Maximum Guests	8

● Non-smoking inside building

● Please lay out your own futon bedding.

Facilities
Refrigerator Air conditioning Microwave Safety box

Amenities
Shampoo Hair conditioner Body-wash Toothbrush set Comb Shaver Hair dryer Face towel Bath towel Slippers Tea Coffee

Baths

Shared Indoor	No
Shared Outdoor	No
Shared Sauna	No
Privately Reserved	No
Ensuite Indoor	Onsen
Ensuite Outdoor	No

Note: Hot spring water in bath.

Meals

Supper
Meals served at Minshuku Omuraya from 17:30~19:30.
Breakfast
Meals served at Minshuku Omuraya from 6:30~8:00.
Lunch
Japanese style bento box from Minshuku Omuraya when breakfast.

Free use of full kitchen.
BBQ set.

Meal Options

: Possible : Not Possible

Vegetarian	No Meat No Fish No Seafood (other than fish) No Dashi fish stock No Dairy No Eggs
Gluten Free	With Miso & Soy Sauce No Miso & Soy Sauce (Celiac or Intolerant)
Allergies	Possible
Others	No Raw Fish/Seafood No Pork No Red Meat (beef or pork) No Shellfish

Vegetarianism and gluten free foods are not common in the Japanese countryside. Please double-check the meal options that are possible with each service provider to make sure that it meets your needs.

FISH STOCK: Often being able to eat trace amounts of the ubiquitous Katsuo Dashi (fish stock) makes it easier to find vegetarian options.

GLUTEN: For those who are not intorelant to gluten or Celiac then choosing Gluten Free "With Miso and Soy Sauce" will increase your options.

More Information

NOTE: It is difficult and not culturally sensitive to change meal requests, or make new meal demands, onsite when you arrive at accommodations. Meal options must be confirmed during the reservation process and respected during your visit.

Facilities & Services

Facilities
Coin laundry

Internet: Free Wi-Fi (Guestroom)
Free Wi-Fi (Lobby)
Credit Card: Not accepted
Traveler's Cheques: Not accepted
Language: Japanese only. But friendly communicator.
Others: Full Kitchen
● IH
● Microwave oven
● Refrigerator
● Dishes
● Cutlery
● Basic condiments
● BBQ set

Uncooked rice available for sale.
Services: Shipping

Notes: ●Washing machine free (free detergent)
●Drier 100 yen per 20 minutes.

Access

Access Information

Busses run daily to Kawayu Onsen from Kii-Tanabe Station, Shingu Station and Gojo.
● 1hr 40 min by bus from Kii-Tanabe Station (bus timetable 1)
● ~1 hour by bus from Shingu Station (bus timetable 3)
● ~4 hours by bus from Gojo (bus timetable 4)
● ~10 minutes by bus from Kumano Hongu Taisha (bus timetable 11)
● In front of "Kameya-mae 亀屋前" bus stop

More bus timetables >>

Kawayu Onsen