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.

Minshuku Tateishi is a friendly, relaxed family-run guesthouse in Kawayu Onsen. 

There are two buildings which are both two story wooden structures: main building and annex.  The main building has Japanese style guestrooms on the second floor.  On the first floor is the communal dining room and onsen bath, which can be used privately. 

The public onsen next door is also available with complimentary tickets, and of course the river hot spring bath is free to use.  

Meals feature fresh local ingredients such as ayu sweetfish. 

Minshuku Tateishi makes a great base to explore the Hongu area and surrounding Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.

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.