KUMANO TRAVEL

Kawayu Matsuya is a practical, simple business hotel associated with Kawayu Midoriya Hotel.  The rooms are western style and elevated Japanese style platform with futon.  There is a hot spring bath in the hotel, but guests can also use the bathing facilities at Kawayu Midoriya for no extra charge.  The outdoor baths at Kawayu Midoriya are set in the river bank. Meals are served at Kawayu Midoriya in the basement floor which features large windows looking onto the river.  Guest rooms look onto the Oto river. Guests can also use the Kumano Kodo run by Kawayu Midoriya.

Pension Ashitanomori is an accommodation filled with the passions and dreams of the Kurisu family.   

Their family heritage is in the forestry industry and built the guesthouse with trees cut from their mountains.  “Ashita” means “tomorrow”, and “Mori” means forest, so the name reflects their love of the forest, the foundation for the future of the planet. The Swiss inn façade is no coincidence, as it was inspired by the owner’s trip to Switzerland. 

Much of ingredients for meals are locally sourced, including fresh vegetables, organic tea they harvest from their small plantation in Hosshinmon along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, and wheat for the bread from a nearby village. 

Pension Ashitanomori is immaculately kept and located right in front of the river hot spring bath.

Minshuku Omuraya is a guesthouse run by the Omuraya family in the middle of the Kawayu Onsen hot spring village.  This friendly accommodation has a welcoming “at home” atmosphere with many repeat visitors.  There are three separate buildings at Minshuku Omuraya, one of which allows pets.  Many of the rooms have river views.  Guests are free to use the hot spring baths in the river in front of the establishment.

※ Note for those with cat or dog allergies: There are cats and a dog in residence in the lobbies of the main building and the annex. 

Kawayu Midoriya is one of the larger hotels in Kawayu Onsen and is located at the west end of the village. 

There is a mixture of Japanese and Western style rooms.  Most Japanese style rooms look directly over the clear waters of the Oto River, which flows through the village. 

Behind the hotel there are two mixed gender rock baths nestled in the river bank.  An evening soak, enjoying the natural surroundings, is a popular highlight for guests.

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.

Fujiya Ryokan is one of the largest accommodations in Kawayu Onsen and is located at the east end of the village.  All but three of the rooms are traditional Japanese style.  The other three are modern western theme rooms based on earth, bamboo and wood respectively, all with private baths on the balcony.  Every room has a view of the Oto River which flows through the village.  The décor is traditional Japanese with Ikebana and other art throughout the facility.  Hot spring water bubbles to the river surface in front of the hotel.