Date: Mar/2026
United Kingdom (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Wonderful host in cosy house
The food served is outstanding, home is very cozy and the host is friendly and attentive, wonderful experience on my first night on the trail
Date: Mar/2026
United States (Female, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Wonderful host and great food.
Date: Jan/2026
Australia (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper & Breakfast
- No subject -
Date: Jan/2026
Australia (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
We loved our stay here. The curry was delicious as was the rest of the food. Our host was very friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend.
Date: Dec/2025
Australia (Female, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
The accommodation was a long way from the track however was clean and the host was very helpful and drove to pick us up from the viewing point (we were not aware that she would do this and started walking back to our accommodation). Food was very nice and plenty of it. It was good to sleep in a bed off the floor.
Date: Dec/2025
United Kingdom (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Lovely Welcome
We had a very comfortable stay here. We were picked up from the Komado Kodo by car and returned to our starting point the next day. The house was clean and warm and one other couple was staying with us. The food was very good and we had a nice packed lunch for the following day.
Our host was friendly and welcoming and we enjoyed our brief stay in her home.
Date: Dec/2025
China (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
静かで、きれいに整理した民泊であり、料理もおいしかった。高原から若干距離があるが、朝、車で送ってもらったので、便利でした。ありがとうございました。
Date: Nov/2025
Australia (Female, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 3, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Best stay on our three day walk. Lovely modern room, lovely hosts, superb food. We were picked up from Takahara rest spot & dropped off next morning. Also the only stay with a television. Shared bathroom but no problem coordinating times with the other 2 guests.
Date: Nov/2025
Czech Republic (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths -, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Nov/2025
Canada (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Highly recommend
The guesthouse was comforted, very nice and interesting host. Food was excellent! And good volume size in breakfast, lunch and supper. Host spoke good English which was great for us.
Date: Nov/2025
United States (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Minupaku Akatsuki Guesthouse
Wonderful hospitality from Yae, very welcoming and friendly. She picked us up 10 minutes after I called. Dinner and breakfast were exceptional and the room and bathrooms were wonderful. Nice outdoor and sitting room common space.
Date: Oct/2025
Australia (Male, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths -, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Staying with Yae
A great stay with Yae who made us feel very welcome. We relaxed upstairs in a common sitting area before sharing a lovely dinner with another couple. Breakfast was also great and the packed lunch good. Yae picked us up from the lookout in Takahara with no problems.
Date: Oct/2025
Mexico (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Ella fue muy amable, servicial, compresiva muy linda, me hizo sentir como en mi hogar.
Date: Oct/2025
Australia (Female, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Hostess with the mostess!
Come for the hospitality and stay for the exceptional food lovingly prepared by the host - a real stand out. Complimentary collection from the rest stop for ease too.
Date: Oct/2025
Canada (Male, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 3, Baths 3, Meals 3, Location 2, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Oct/2025
Italy (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Sep/2025
United States (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Cute homestay
Minpaku Akatsuki is a cute little homestay about 5 minutes drive from the end of the Day 1 walk. Call them from the phone in the parking lot next to the Oji and they will pick you up (and drop you back there to begin the next day's walk. They have a western style and a Japanese style room. We stayed in the Japanese style room. Dinner included a tasty unique curry and naan besides other stuff. Very tasty. Breakfast and bento were also great. Shared bathrooms and toilet, very clean and good. Maeda San is a impeccable host. Tanaka San helps her out, does pick up and drop off duties and also manages the luggage transfer (Akatsuki luggage transfer).
Date: Aug/2025
Japan (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 2, Meals 3, Location 2, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper & Breakfast
Very warm hospitality
The owner was a very kind person and we were very happy staying the minshuku. As the minshuku is not big and with the nice personality of owner, we became friend with the other guests. It was a very good minshuku for the very first Kumano walking travel. The owner was helpful during the entire stay. The owner gave us wooden sticks and that helped us to accomplish the pilgrimage. We loved the stay.
Date: Aug/2025
Belgium (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Jun/2025
United States (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Wonderful!
Everything was perfect and Maeda-San was so sweet!! Thank you!!
Date: May/2025
Australia (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths -, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Lovely Homestay with Locals
Room was comfortable and hosts really friendly. The meals were especially great and thoughtfully prepared.
Date: May/2025
Australia (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths -, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Lovely hosts after Day 1 of the Kumano Kodo.
The accomodation was a bit cramped but the hosts were very generous with good meals and timely transport to and from the walking path.
Date: May/2025
United States (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Minpaku Akatsuki
We enjoyed an excellent welcoming stay at Minpaku Akatsuki. It was wonderful to stay in a Japanese home and we appreciated that our host spoke English. Although it required a drive to get from the trailhead to our lodgings, when we called, the shuttle came very quickly and the following morning returned us to the trailhead.
Date: May/2025
Netherlands (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 3, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Apr/2025
Australia (Female, age 20-29)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Cosy guesthouse
Cosy guesthouse with friendly owners and delicious homecooked food. We especially enjoyed the curry!
Date: Apr/2025
Singapore (Male, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Friendly. Excellent curry.
I arrived at the Takahara rest area. You can't miss it because it is so huge. Takahara kiri-no sato rest area of smth. Called the number and got a lift to the accommodation (which is a drive away from the usual accomodations in Takahara). No logistical problems there. Very smooth.
The hosts are all friendly, and speak good English. The house itself is lovely. Clean. Comfortable. The food was delicious, even by the high standards in Japan. The curry was unique, and one of the best I had.
There was a A-Coop convenience store around 20mins walk away. I did visit to get some snacks.
They were very accommodating of my 2 year old daughter I brought along. Next day we had a lift back to Takahara rest area.
Date: Mar/2025
Australia (Female, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Mrs Maeda is a wonderful friendly host who goes out of her way to make her guest's stay happy and comfortable. Her house is about 1-1.5km down a hill from the KK route, but she's happy to drive guests to or from the trail. My room was very comfortable, with a sitting/common area just outside where I could make tea or coffee, or buy other drinks. Mrs Maeda's meals were great, and I really enjoyed her Nepalese curry. After dinner I realised I'd left my Australian travel adapter plugged into the wall at my previous accommodation. I asked where I might buy another, and before I knew it, Mrs Maeda's husband was driving back to retrieve it for me. What fantastic and unexpected great service! This was a very good place to stay.
Date: Mar/2025
United States (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Inspiring stay that made a nice shorter first day from Takajiri Oji
We had a delightful time staying with Yae on our first night of the Kumano Kodo. She is an inspiring and lovely person and speaks English beautifully. We had a memorable chat with her after our evening meal. Speaking of which, Yea provided a tasty, nutritious, and beautiful dinner, breakfast, and lunch for us. Her curry is especially delicious! The accommodation is the upstairs of her house and is cozy. There is a sitting room area where you can spend time outside of your room, which we enjoyed. We also enjoyed walking around her neighborhood and sitting down by the river. Wish we could have stayed multiple days.
Date: Feb/2025
Australia (Male, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths -, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Jan/2025
Australia (Male, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 3, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper & Breakfast
- No subject -
Yae-Dan was a wonderful host and I couldn’t have asked for a better person experience for my first night. One change I would make is instead of publishing the location as 5 min drive from Takahara, I would say that is in Kurisugawa and state how long that walk is from Takahara, or about where to turn left from the hiking track to get there.
Date: Dec/2024
Finland (Male, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 3, Meals 4, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
A damn fine cup of coffee
All in all this was a very good place to stay at. The best thing was the owner herself who was just a lovely person with a big heart. The biggest and only weakness this accommodation has is that it’s not located up in Takahara but you have to walk down from the hills. Still, you get a car ride up to Takahara the next morning so that’s helpful.
And to quote special agent Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks: A damn fine cup of coffee.
Date: Dec/2024
United States (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 5, Meals 4, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Great stay at Minpaku Akatsuki
We had a lovely time at Minpaku Akatsuki. The hostess picked us up promptly, and the drive is short. Even thou it is out of town, we didn't think there was much difference. The room was nice, clean and comfortable. THe home cooked meals were delicious, and the hostess was very welcoming.
Date: Oct/2024
United States (Male, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Great host and comfortable stay
5 stars across the board - Yae made us comfortable and was flexible with easy pickup and drop off on the route, and was so welcoming and hospitable with her husband in their home. Meals were amazing and the lunch box was perfect to fuel our hike. Delicious meals, hot shower, warm bed. Clean and cozy.
Date: Sep/2024
Singapore (Female, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
We had a great time, very good host! Marvelous food!
Date: Sep/2024
New Zealand (Female, age 70-79)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths -, Meals 5, Location -, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Lovely host & very comfortable stay
It was a pleasure to meet Yea and to stay overnight here. Yea also gave us helpful advice about how to manage the wet day forecast coming up. Highly recommend this stay. Thank you Yea.
Date: Sep/2024
New Zealand (Male, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 3, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Amazing food. Incredible hospitality and service. Air conditioned rooms. Host engaged with us but we were hoping to engage more. Loved laundry service. Lovely to have a cold/hot drink available on arrival, would have loved a little snack also. Absolutely loved having books available to read about the Kumano Kodo!
Date: Jul/2024
Australia (Male, age 20-29)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Lovely experience
I cannot recommend booking with the Maeda couple more. Very homely experience, they are warm and welcoming. I hope to come back one day!
Date: Jul/2024
Lao People's Democratic Republic (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Excellent homestay
Lovely homestay with a wonderful host who prepared exquisitely presented meals (dinner and breakfast) and lunchbox. The host was so kind and supports donation activities for building school in rural Nepal. Large spacious and clean bedrooms. We felt part of her family whilst staying here.
Date: Jun/2024
United States (Female, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Wonderful first night on Kumano Kodo Journey
We had some reservations about staying here due to it's location. However, it was not an issue as we were able to call our host once we got to the Takahara rest area. Note: Use 10-20 yen when making your phone call. Plus, the view from the rest area is breathtaking. Within minutes our host came to pick us up. Yae-san provided the perfect blend of being a hospitable host and giving us our private time. We had the entire upper loft to ourselves, with an honor system of pay as you drink cold beer. We got to sit in her outdoor patio and enjoy her beautiful yard. Her meals were the best of all the accommodations we stayed at. We enjoyed conversing with her, (she is fluent in English), and she drove us back to the rest stop the next morning. Our best night on the Kumano Kodo trail.
Date: Jun/2024
Australia (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 3, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Friendly and cosy guesthouse
Our host Yae came to pick us up from Takahara. We were made to feel at home and had a beer on the patio before being spoiled with a lavish and delicious dinner. In the morning we were served a huge breakfast and given a generous Bento for lunch. We loved hearing about our hosts generous work supporting a small community in Nepal. She has a big heart.
Date: Jun/2024
United States (Male, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
A perfect end to the first day of hiking!
This accommodation was outstanding!
Date: May/2024
Australia (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Apr/2024
United Kingdom (Female, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Beyond Wonderful
Just to have had the opportunity to meet Yae Maeda and hear about her inspirational life would have been reason enough to walk this trek. She is one of life's special people and will be remembered by us all for many many years. She is an angel bringing so much joy to everything she does.
Date: Jan/2024
Australia (Male, age 20-29)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Excellent first stop
I walked from Takahara rest stop to the accommodation, it wasn't too difficult to find even though it wasn't present on the main map and I didn't have wifi. Bath, guestroom and reception were all excellent. I would give food over 5 stars if possible and it is certainly worth visiting just for the meals.
Date: Oct/2023
United States (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Yae was such a wonderful host! Her personality was a highlight on our trip and the meals were delicious. When we arrived she had a hot bath waiting.
Date: Dec/2023
Philippines (Female, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Wonderful stay
Might not be along the trail but Ms. Yae will fetch you from the rest stop. She was reponsive with all our questions prior to the visit. Lovely , spacious home. Food she prepared was excellent ! Ms. Yae is a lovely, kind lady. We slept well after our first rainy day trek and felt energized for the next day's walk. Would love to come back. Domo arigato, ms
Yae.
Date: Dec/2023
Japan (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 3, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service -
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
民泊は、初めてでしたが、気さくな奥さんでホットしましたが、宿泊部屋に空きがあり、宿泊者一人で少し残念でもありました。
なお、一人の為か、少々高くついてしまいました。
Date: Nov/2023
United Kingdom (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Great!
The host was very friendly and could not do more to help us.
Date: Oct/2023
Singapore (Male, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Great host who speaks excellent English. Great food, including the somewhat unexpected Indian curry for dinner.
Location is slightly out of the way of the trail, but the hosts offers to pick up and drive to the trail. (We ended up walking to the inn from the road junction, the host drove us back to the road junction the next day)
Date: Sep/2023
Taiwan (Male, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Lovely and clean accommondation
The host is very kind and speaks good English. Wonderful dinner after a full day's walk!
Date: Aug/2023
Germany (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Jun/2023
Australia (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 3, Baths 3, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Love, warmth and Nepalese curry!
Yea is a wonderful host whose mere presence makes you want to be a better person. This vitality of spirit is matched with a talent for curry, a welcome surprise in the hilltop village of Takahara. One could do no better than start a pilgrimage at Akatsuki.
Date: May/2023
Germany (Female, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Great host
Great host with a warm welcome, amazing food and friendliness.
Date: May/2023
Australia (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
We loved our stay with you and wish you all the best with everything!
Date: Apr/2023
Israel (Male, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Very good and nice hospitality
Date: Apr/2023
Australia (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Apr/2023
Belgium (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Our best place along the Nakahechi trail
The location is not the best, as it's a steep climb to the trail. However the host did drive us to the starting point & to Takahara. At the guest house, there was lots of info available; which was very convenient as our preparation was lacking a little. The food was marvelous. And the host most kind and did speak English very well.
Date: Jan/2023
Singapore (Female, age 20-29)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Dec/2022
United States (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Maeda-san Is a Wonderful Host
Delicious dinner with a slight Nepalese twist, wonderful breakfast and lunch bento, beautifully presented or packed. The best part was Maeda-san herself, who spoke good English, and supports a school and artisans in Nepal, where she has traveled. What an interesting person. Nothing like ending your day with a hot bath, a cold beer, and a great dinner and conversation! The short drive was not a problem as they picked us up and dropped us off quickly, and the drive itself was interesting, through densly-forested, steep hills.
Date: Dec/2022
Australia (Male, age 20-29)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Excellent host and stay
Lovely host - very kind. She speaks excellent English and is very accommodating. I accidentally left something at the accommodation but she found it before I realised and called her and she sent it through with the luggage shuttle - very happy!
Date: Nov/2022
Australia (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
great guest house with western beds
the hosts will pick you up from takahara and return you the next day . if you dont have a japanese number there is a public phone costs 100yen. the guest house is lovely and yae runs a small restaurant so you are in for a treat with the food. only 4 guests so very peaceful spot
Date: Jun/2020
Australia (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Yae the incredible!
Yae was such an amazing host at her beautiful home! She makes you feel part of her family. Yae's cooking is so delicious and healthy! Such a delight! Love Ali and Shoshannah
Date: Jan/2020
Australia (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Food was absolutely delicious, and the host was wonderfully welcoming.
Date: Dec/2019
China (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Excellent communications and service
I cannot praise the local places we stayed enough, thanks for delicious food and friendly hosts.
Date: Nov/2019
Philippines (Female, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Nice house and location
Although far from the trail, we were picked up by our host at the rest area. She was very nice to us. She also brought us to the trail the next morning. She was very fluent in English, too.
Date: Nov/2019
Denmark (Female, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Really good place to stay. Very sweet and service minded hostess who is good at English. Very nice to live in a private home. Greet her from me (Anna Høeberg from Denmark)
Date: Nov/2019
Canada (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper & Breakfast
Great Choice
This is a great spot for the night. Don't worry about calling for a pick up; the phone location is obvious and easy to place a call with a coin. I used 100 Yen but 10 might have been OK. Yae is so friendly and meals are wonderful. You get the upper floor with a table, chairs, sofa and coffee/tea to lounge in. There is a bath/soaker tub for single use - lovely and hot.
Date: Oct/2019
United States (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Great Host
Staying here is like staying with family. Yae (the hostess) is very friendly and helpful. She offered and did our laundry without our asking. She is a one-superwoman show. Her meals included both western and japanese dishes and are absolutely delicious!! Her house is meticulously clean.
Date: Oct/2019
China (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Excellent Stay
Yae San is very warm-hearted host and excellent Chef! The meals she provided are very delicious and unforgotten. Although the Location is a bit far away from Takahara, but it's convenient to call her coming to pick you up. Thanks her for her dedicated service and we had a wonderful stay there overnight.
Date: Oct/2019
United States (Female, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Oct/2019
United States (Female, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Wonderful stay with wonderful hosts
Rooms were small and bathroom small but very clean. Mr and Mrs Maeda are the sweetest ,most wonderful couple and made you feel at home . Mrs.Maeda made us the best meals of the whole trip and called to verify and met all our vegetarian requirements. We felt like we were in our own home with family. Highly recommend them and would love to visit them if we ever went back to Wakayama.
Date: Oct/2019
Australia (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 3, Baths 3, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Oct/2019
Australia (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Excellent
Lovely hosts, great house, fantastic food.
Date: Sep/2019
United Kingdom (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Lovely place
We found such a friendly and welcome place to stay, the food was absolutely amazing, some of it came from our hosts garden. This is in someone's home which is friendly and cosy, there are heaps of books and the most wonderful meals! The Hostess was lovely and talked to us about her experiences on the Kumano Kodo.
Date: Jul/2019
United Kingdom (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths -, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Guest House near Takahara
We cannot recommend Atkatsuki highly enough. It is a few minutes drive form the village but we were picked up after 5 minutes and dropped of in the morning to start walking again. Very friendly place, good English and great food. You will not be disappointed if you elect to stay here.
Date: May/2019
France (Male, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Feel like at home
Date: May/2019
Australia (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Apr/2019
Canada (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
A true gem in the mountains
This place is just outstanding. Our host Yae was kind and generous. We could feel how much she liked having us in her confortable house. Thank you very much for all that.
Date: Apr/2019
Germany (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
A place to be very recommended. The hosts are very nice and generous and the food was delicious. We felt like a part of their family. To speak a littlebit japanese helps a bit, but it is not necessary. English is also quite familiar spoken.
Date: Apr/2019
Netherlands (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 3, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Apr/2019
Japan (Female, age 20-29)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Yae San was very nice! I enjoyed staying there!
Date: Mar/2019
United States (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Mar/2019
Australia (Female, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Minpaku Akatsuki - near Takahara
Exceptional host with very good english, wonderful welcome and exceptional meals .Delicous bento box. All lodging in village of Takahara was full at time of our booking. This is a 5min car trip away from village and there was wonderful scenery on the drive . It was easy to call our host on Green public phone and pick up was very prompt. Dropped back in the morning to continue. Extremely easy communications and warmth. NB: in a neighborhood of Kurisugawa, on a narrow mountain road to the ridgetop settlement of Takahara (a 5 minute drive by car). The two story home has guestrooms on the second floor. One guestroom has twin beds and the other sleeps with futons on the floor. We were in twin beds and the futon room looked bigger.
Date: Feb/2019
Australia (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths -, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
fabulous first night stay
Excellent accommodation and meals. Highly recommend especially if you would like to experience wonderful Japanese hospitality.
Date: Jan/2019
Australia (Male, age 20-29)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Dec/2018
United States (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper & Breakfast
Awesome
A great place to stay along the trail.
Date: Dec/2018
Australia (Female, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
A wonderful home stay
Thank you so much for the brilliant home cooking, the hospitality, the extra little touches and interesting conversations that made this our absolutely best homestay during our entire trip in Japan.
Date: Dec/2018
New Zealand (Male, age 70-79)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Highly recommended
Great place. The host was wonderful and most welcoming. Great food, too.
Date: Dec/2018
Australia (Male, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Good Minpaku highly recommended
The owner is nice, food prepare is good. Highly recommended to other travellers who wNt to stay for a day or two in Kii-Tanaka area.
Date: Nov/2018
Germany (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
This was one of the most lovely guesthouse stays I had in Japan!
The host was so kind and incredibly friendly to me and the other foreign guest that was staying there. She made us an incredible breakfast and the bento was also amazing! She drove us to the trailhead in Takahara (and did the pick up too, but a nice local offered me a ride down to the guesthouse from the rest stop, so I didn't need to call her). I'd love to stay here again next time!
Date: Aug/2018
United Kingdom (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 3, Baths 3, Meals 4, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
We were guests of Minpaku at her family home. She was absolutely delightful. Very warm and kind. We have 2 boys aged 12 and 10 and Minpaku set up a ''noodle fountain' in her garden for the boys to catch noodles with their chopsticks, which ran down a bamboo shoot and then gave them fireworks. The food was simple and home-made with care. My husband thoroughly enjoyed drinking Sake with her husband. We called Minpaku our Japanese Grandma. It was a really memorable experience.
Date: Jul/2018
Japan (Male, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Excellent place to stay for the first day.
Akatsuki is a little out-of-the-way, but you can either walk there or call the owners to pick you up at the rest area. Tip: if you end up at the rest area in the early afternoon, walk up the trail to find a small cafe and have a cup of tea and cake.
The owners were fun to talk to, and I learned a lot about them. If you know some Japanese, that will help you a lot when talking to them, but they know enough English to chat with.
I really enjoyed getting to know them. Also, they are willing to drive you back to the trailhead the following morning.
Date: Jun/2018
Germany (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals -, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
No Meals
- No subject -
Very friendly couple that provided us with drinks and snacks although we didn't book any meals. Very warm atmosphere, just like family.
Date: Jun/2018
United Kingdom (Male, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Fantastic stay with Yea
We really enjoyed our stay at Yea’s house. The house was convenient and had all the essentials including a washing machine. Yea treated us very well, food was amazing! She gave us a lift to and from Takahara and even looked after our baby while we were having dinner! We couldn’t ask for a better experience! Thank you so much!
Date: Jun/2018
United States (Male, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: Jun/2018
France (Male, age 20-29)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
The hosts were great ! The food amazing
Date: Jun/2018
Singapore (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper & Breakfast
a mini homestay
our hosts were wonderful. they thought of everything, from the drip coffee packs to the amazing dinner. we would recommend this place for anyone. this was our only accommodations not right on the kodo, but it's only a short drive.
Date: Jun/2018
Belgium (Male, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 3, Meals 4, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Very frendly welcome, away from the Kumano Kodo but with a quick pickup from resting area so this was not an issue, good meal! Thanks!
Date: Jun/2018
United States (Female, age 60-69)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper & Breakfast
A lovely first night
We were warmly welcomed by our host, who picked us up and took us to her home. There we spent a very agreeable evening, and thoroughly enjoyed a delicious dinner. Mae then drove us back to our starting point the following morning after preparing for us a really great breakfast.
Date: May/2018
Australia (Female, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 4, Meals 4, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper & Breakfast
Very pleasant B&B with a lovely host
This Minpaku is conveniently located in Takahara, ~5km from Takajiri, giving a head start in the walk to chikatsuyu etc. The hostess is lovely and the food good.
Date: May/2018
Australia (Female, age 20-29)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Amazing stay in Akatsuki!
It was our first night after hiking the Kumano Kodo, and we stayed with Yae-san in her beautiful home. Yae-san picked us up from Takahara, and took us to her beautiful home - it's literally just 5 minutes drive from the stop point and you get to stay in a beautiful little area with a river just 5 minutes walk. After the hike we had a delicious dinner with the perfect blend of Japanese foods (including tofu from Koyasan, and karaage) and delicious beef which is suitable for our Western palates. At night it was so incredibly quiet - we slept like babies! In the morning, Yae-san prepared a delicious meal with homemade jam, toast, and other little goodies, again which was a great blend of Western and Japanese flavours.
Yae-san is a friendly, incredibly lively and passionate person and we loved getting to know her more. If I come back, I'll definitely stay again - highly recommend others to do the same!
Date: May/2018
New Caledonia (Male, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: May/2018
Australia (Female, age 50-59)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Date: May/2018
Finland (Male, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 4, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper & Breakfast
Delightful
We had a lovely stay at Minpaku Akatsuki. Yae-san was a splendid host and fetched us by car at the end of the hike and took us directly to the guesthouse. Our room was clean and comfortable. The dinner and breakfast were really delicious.
Date: Apr/2018
Switzerland (Female, age 30-39)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 4
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Beds are very comfortable. Room is very clean. The food is super good!
Date: Apr/2018
Singapore (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
No Meals
- No subject -
Yae-san was really lovely to stay with. Her hospitality was incredible and we had a fantastic time chatting to her (she speaks excellent English) and her friend. The house is a 5-10 minute drive away from the trail (she will pick up you up) but we found the process very smooth and enabled us to pick up some food on the way from the Co-op shop (which Yae-san kindly drove us to). Thank you!
Date: Apr/2018
Sweden (Male, age 40-49)
Individual:
Guestroom 4, Baths 4, Meals 5, Location 3, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
- No subject -
Very friendly host with whom it was nice and easy to share experiences from Japan. Very good English spoken.
Date: Mar/2018
United States (Female, age **)
Individual:
Guestroom 5, Baths 5, Meals 5, Location 5, Reception & Service 5
Plan:
Supper, Breakfast & Lunch box
Amazing stay. Wish I could have stayed longer!
What a wonderful first night's stop on the Kumano. Everything was clean and lovely, the meals were exquisite, and the Maeda family is delightful. Truly a pleasure. Thank you!!
No Meat
No Fish
No Seafood (other than fish)
No Dashi fish stock
No Dairy
No Eggs
Takahara
Kumano Kodo Takijiri-oji~Takahara Map