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!

Guesthouse Tao is an old family home.  It was empty for many years until recently but wanted to preserve it and restore it, so they decided to share the authentic building with others and opened a homestay style guesthouse.  The classic Japanese style wooden farmhouse features sliding doors and tatami mats.  For many it has a feeling of “Grandma’s home”.  It is in the bucolic foothills between Minabe and Tanabe, a mecca for ume production, a fruit used to make a variety of products including liqueurs.  It is surrounded by mountains, tucked away at the end of a narrow road.  The owners offer free shuttle service from Kii-Tanabe station (~30 min) and Minabe station (~20 min).

Only one booking per day.  This is a private house rental.

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.

Kashiwagi Mikan is a homestay in Akitsuno, just outside of Tanabe city in the agricultural center of the area famous for its terraced orange and ume orchards.  The Kashiwagi family are part-time farmers with a small orange grove above their home on the hill side.  The house itself is spacious and designed mostly by themselves.  They offer a farm experience and the activities depend on the season.  Staying at the Kashiwagi Mikan feels similar to a western B&B style of setting.  Saturdays are the only night available making this homestay the perfect weekend getaway with a rural, family feel.

◆ IMPORTANT ◆ Only available on Saturdays

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.

Akizuno Garten is a green tourism complex inland a few kilometers from Tanabe City.  It includes a refurbished two story wooden elementary school, accommodation, and restaurant.  The surrounding agricultural area is home to expansive orange and ume orchards. Akizuno Garten has become a center for many experience programs with a focus on the agricultural culture of the area.  The restaurant serves a buffet of local dishes made from regional products.  The courtyard is a lovely green space great for relaxing.