KUMANO TRAVEL

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.

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!

Shingu UI is a well managed hotel in central Shingu city on the south-eastern coast of the rugged Kii peninsula.  There are a variety of spacious rooms: single, twin, double, and Japanese style.  It is conveniently located about a 10 minute from the JR Shingu station. The Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kamikura-jinja are also within walking distance. Breakfast is buffet style in the restaurant.  The on-site, cozy, Izakaya pub serves local specialties and sake. Great for an evening meal and drinks. In summer there is a beer hall the roof with fantastic views of Mt. Gongen.

Cozy House in Kumano is an older Japanese home near the JR Shingu Station.  The fully furnished house itself is a two story wooden structure built behind a dentist shop, where the parents of the current owner used to live.  This hidden rental house is accessed via the Dentist Office and backs onto the train tracks.  It is very well kept by the Ms. Fukutsuji, a lovely and energetic lady who loves to introduce people to Shingu and the Kumano area, if fact she is a registered guide for the region!   She has put many thoughtful touches, making it truly a “Cozy House in Kumano”!  One of the surprises is a real samurai armour suit from medieval Japan, a museum piece that guests can try for themselves.  A transformation that will make wonderful pictures to show your friends and family!  If a samurai i suit isn’t for you, then try on the colorful kimono!

Guesthouse Ikkyu is a unique project, an old Japanese farmhouse restored as an eco-home, where a lofty main room welcomes guests.  The house was reformed over an intense three-year period.  It features Japanese style architecture with tatami mats and sliding fusuma doors.  There is a cozy sitting area with wood burning stove and counter, behind which is a small kitchen area.  The toilet is composting and the pride of the owner, who even has a picture of it on his business cards!  There are two baths, one inside and one outside.  The outdoor one is on the balcony, a modified goemon-buro bath which is heating with a small fire under it.  The owner offers shuttle service after 16:00 from Koguchi and the Hongu area.  No shuttles are available in the morning, but the nearest bus stop is about a 10-minute walk.  No meals are supplied.