KUMANO TRAVEL

Guest House Yui is a house in the Hongu village a few minutes walk from the Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Hongu Heritage center in a quiet neighborhood on the hillside overlooking Oyunohara, the original shrine ground of Kumano Hongu Taisha.  The owners decided to start hosting guests here after they moved into their parents house next door and building was not being used.  It is a larger two story house with a Japanese style guestroom room on the first floor.  On the second floor is a western style room with twin beds and a guestroom with raised sleeping platform to lay out futons.  The comfortable living room, dining room, bath and toilet are all shared amongst guests.  There are no meals served, but instant foods and drinks are available onsite.  This is a convenient, relaxed accommodation in the Hongu area for those looking for a homestay-like experience.

Blue Sky Guesthouse is a guesthouse tucked into a small valley in the town of Hongu, close to the World Heritage Grand Shrine, Kumano Hongu Taisha. 

The young owner, Naoya Yamamoto, always dreamed of owning his own guesthouse. 
When he travelled to other countries he received gracious hospitality from many people. He now wants to give back into the karmic travellers’ cycle and create a place that welcomes visitors to fully experience the area. 

Each room has its own bath and toilet. Visitors also have free access to the kitchen and internet.
For those walking the Kumano Kodo or looking for somewhere to stay for multiple nights, this accommodation is a popular choice. Families also find the Blue Sky Guesthouse convenient.

For guests with dietary restrictions
We cannot accept requests for meal restrictions for the "Standard Bento-style Supper & Breakfast" Plan.
Please select the "Deluxe Bento-style Supper & Breakfast" Plan if you would like to request meals with special dietary requests.

Please NOTE: Doors may be locked until 15:00 as sometimes the owner is away during the day shopping and doing errands. This applies even for guests staying multiple nights.

SOLA is a traditional private rental house shared with the owner in the heart of Hongu Town, home to Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine located just 5 minutes away, and the grand Otorii gate 3 minutes away. This tranquil reformed house has 3 bedrooms, Japanese tatami mat rooms, serene view of a Japanese garden, and a peaceful atmosphere to relax during your Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. The owner, a licensed acupuncturist, provides traditional Japanese acupuncture and chiropractic treatments that can be booked in advance. Meals include locally sourced ingredients and dietary requests such as gluten-free can be prepared upon advance request when booking. With a multi-night stay, SOLA can be a starting point for a section of the Kogumotori by taking an early morning bus from the nearby Hongu Taisha-mae bus stop. SOLA is great for family or friends hoping to refresh when they arrive in Hongu.

SOLA is a private rental: available for only one group a day.

Rei is a traditional Japanese home that was not being used by a local family in Hongu so they decided to offer it as a rental house.  The rooms are tatami style with a sitting area with sofas.  The small kitchen is open for guests to use.  There is a shower unit located next to the house.  The building is in a residential neighborhood on a hillside a short walk from the UNESCO World Heritage shrine Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.  This rental property is popular with families and small groups of friends.

YAKIOHOUSE is a comfy, fully renovated, pastoral rental house in the Hongu area near the Kumano Kodo Kohechi route and relatively close to the Nakahechi as well. The owner is a photographer who fell in love with Hongu while visiting Wakayama Prefecture for a few years and eventually moved here to raise his family. YAKIOHOUSE is simple, clean, and modernized, located on a hill overlooking the Kumanogawa River and facing the Kohechi, perfect for not just Kumano Kodo hikers, but also for small groups or families wanting to relax a couple of days in the rural countryside.

Although not located in the onsen hot spring area (Yunomine, Kawayu, Wataze / Watarase), YAKIOHOUSE is one of many excellent options in the Greater Hongu area.

It is located just 10 minutes by bus from Kumano Hongu Taisha, and shuttle pickup from Hongu Taisha-mae can be reserved at booking.