KUMANO TRAVEL

Minpaku Hinokuma has evolved from the owner’s hobbies: building things, travelling, and walking. 
He started by building a small wooden hut for a tea house where walkers on the Kumano Kodo section between Tanabe and Takijiri-oji could take a break.  Then over a period of 1.5 years he built a small bath house with homemade goemon cauldron bath and a simple cabin for sleeping.  The buildings are spread out over a large grassed area. 

A simple breakfast is supplied but evening meals must be bought before arriving or eat at a rural Chinese restaurant nearby. 
Shuttles are available from nearby train stations: Asso, Kii-Tanabe and Shirahama, plus Inabane-Oji bus stop. 

If you arrive early ask the owner to try blow darts, canoe or his other hobby!

Hackberry Heim Kuchikumano is a facility with three different room sizes, 2 large rooms (shared toilet and shower facilities), 2 rooms for 2 people (ensuite toilet and bath), and 2 rooms for 4 people (ensuite toilet and bath).  It is located near the Kamitonda sports park and is popular with youth sports teams, as the players can stay in the larger rooms and teachers/coaches can stay in the smaller ones.  It is easiest accessed by car and the owner offers shuttle services from nearby train stations (Kii-Tanabe, Asso, Shirahama) if booked in advance. Meals are bento style delivered to the accommodation.

◆ Only western rooms (twin rooms, quad rooms) are available at the moment.

Minpaku Yasukawa is a homestay run by a retiree.  He moved to the area to enjoy the beautiful mountains and dramatic river that runs through the valley.  The large home has rooms on the first and second floors.  There are terraced rice paddies on one side and a thicket of forest and river on the other.  He wishes that people will also enjoy the sounds, sites, and smells of the natural environment surrounding his home.  The owner also rescues stray dogs which live behind the building.  No meals are supplied, but the owner can drive guests to a nearby grocery store.  He also offers shuttles from/to various sites including Kii-Tanabe station and Takijri-oji (the spiritual entrance to the sacred Kumano mountains and coming starting point for a hike along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.

Tanabe is famous for its orange and ume orchards, many terraced up steep slopes in the mountains that surround the city.  Mirai Noen is a farm located in Akitsuno, a focal point of this rich agricultural center, and has been growing fruits since the Edo period (1603-1868).  In 2007, the community started a home-stay program to open up their homes and lives to outside visitors, sharing their passion for the region.

Kumano Ayukawa-juku is a clean, bright, well-cared-for rental house shared by the owner, located halfway between Tanabe and Takijiri-oji. It is just three minutes from Udatsu bus stop. The owner is a retired truck driver whose family have grown up and moved out but he has prepared the family rooms for visiting guests like their second home. The rooms have plenty of light from the windows, a low table with chairs, and bedding is futon on hardwood floors. Although the stay is room only with light complimentary snacks at breakfast, it is a convenient stay for guests walking the Kumano Kodo from Takijiri the next day. The Tonda-gawa River is close by and it's possible to play there in the summer. The owner offers free shuttle drop-off and pick-up from Kii-Tanabe Station, Nanki-Shirahama Airport, Takahara, and other points on the Kumano Kodo. Only one group is accepted per day.

The Kumano Kodo Nagano Guest House is a century year old farm house lovingly renovated by Simon (from Hong Kong) and Yumiko.  The location always draws emotions of awe, either it be the views of the terraced orange and ume orchards lining the steep walls of the valley, the glimpse of the ocean in the glow of the evening setting sun, or the crazy winding narrow mountain roads to get there!  There are two guest rooms, the front and back.  The back guest room does not have views from the windows, but rather features a comfortable sitting room with sofa.  Facilities are shared with the guests and owners.  The minor Shiomi-toge pass section of the Kumano Kodo which runs from the Kii-Tanabe station to Takijiri-oji runs nearby the guest house.

Sorry, but we are not able to accept reservations for 0 to 2 years old. Thank you for your understanding.