KUMANO TRAVEL

In a quiet neighborhood of Shingu between JR Shingu Station and the ancient Kamikura-jinja shrine is Guest House Mayu.  It is a small, compact family-home that was not being used so the daughter (Mayu!) decided to welcome guests from around the world to stay there.   There are two Japanese style rooms, with small kitchen, bath and toilet.   It is off the main roads, yet within walking distance of sights to see and restaurants to dine at.   For those wanting a base with the privacy and convenience of a home, this may be the option for you!

Hotel Sunshine is one of the original business hotels in the coastal city of Shingu.  Repeat business guests make up a large percentage of customers mid-week who enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.  The reasonable price, location, and convenient amenities make it a good choice for tourists as well, including free Wifi in all rooms, free bicycle rental, free breakfast, free washing and drying machines, public sitting area, yakuza robes, free luggage storage, free parking, etc.  Nearby are friendly izakaya restaurants and a convenience store.  One floor is completely non-smoking! It is a about a 10 minute walk from the JR Shingu station or a very short taxi ride.  Hotel Sunshine welcomes visitors to use their facility as a base to explore Kumano.

Shingu Guest House SOU is an older two story wooden Japanese home renovated into a lodging.  It is conveniently located a short walk from the JR Shingu station.  

The lofty entrance opens onto a rich-brown hardwood floor hall down the length of the long house.  There is a large Japanese style common room for hanging out, communal kitchen, shared toilet and shared bath (which can be used privately). 

There are three guestrooms, two Japanese style on the second floor, and one with western style bunk beds on the first floor. 

No meals are supplied by restaurants are withing walking distance.

The cozy and friendly Guest House Fukuroku is run by the lovely Ms. Hirami, a retired civil servant who is passionate about having guests enjoy their stay in her home-town of Shingu.  

The house is ~15 minute walk from JR Shingu station and has a unique geometric design incorporating shapes such as circles and triangles into the structure.  The first floor is a small communal sitting area, dining room, kitchen and bath.  On the second floor are two Japanese style guest rooms.  The owner lives in the house.

The figure on the signs with the elongated bald head is Fukurokuju (福禄寿), one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japan.  The characters mean fuku, "happiness"; roku, "wealth"; and ju, "longevity".  May your stay at Guest House Fukuroku bless you with a happy, wealthy and long life!

Minshuku Hana-asobi is a homestay in Kiho-cho which is just east of Shingu city across the Kumano-gawa river.  The traditional Japanese home is nestled between rice fields and the surrounding green hills.  A retired couple has opened their home to hosts guests from around the world.  They do not speak much English, but their country-side hospitality more than makes up it.  The guest rooms are Japanese style, with futons on the floor and sliding doors.    Hana-asobi means "flower play", as the owner loves flowers!

The Youth Library Engawa is an older traditional Japanese home near the base of the steep staircase to Kamikura-jinja Shrine and Gotobiki-iwa rock in Shingu city. 

It is a multi-concept initiative including a micro-library (with 900~1000 donated books), study area for students, coffee stand, and guesthouse.  The micro-library room serves as the sole guestroom at night. 

It is a semi-private stay with the study room and kitchen sometimes used by university intern students.  The whole focus of the facility is to re-envision an older home into a community exchange center. 

The house is in a quiet residential neighborhood surrounded by a small Japanese garden.  A elementary school is nearby.