Very kind owner. Swimsuits and shovels available for the river. The pricing is very good and apparently booking.com doesn't adjust for solo travel here. The owner gave me cash back and insisted on an instant picture as a gift.

Not much to do except laze at the river.

This property was amazing and the host Yuri was delightful! The public river onsen was OUTSTANDING. It was our favourite onsen in Japan and only a 2 minute walk away - would recommend cold river plunges! The lunches and dinners (we skipped breakfast due to early hike days) were exceptional and some of our favourite meals of the trip. Our room was spacious and comfortable and the massage chair in the lobby was amazing after a few hard days of hiking! Would stay here again and would recommend staying here instead of the other onsen locations nearby (Yunomine/Hongu).

Shower facilities were ok.

It's my third time staying and again it was wonderful. The new large river onsen is right next to the guesthouse. it's a beautiful, peaceful neighborhood. Again, Kohei the owner was incredibly kind and helped us out with bentos for the Kumano Kodo, tips on where to eat the next day, etc. This time, he recognized our family and sent us off with a souvenir onsen towel for each of us. He really goes out of his way to help everyone. Really recommend including the dinner, breakfast, (to-go bento too) if available. Kohei makes a home-made feast and you sit down to a delicious meal cooked by him after being at the river onsen all afternoon. Such a memorable trip (Thank you!)

Nothing - it was all good! Look forward to being back again next year.

Great place to stay if you’re hiking or traveling around the area. The host was super friendly, the and the room and sheets were clean. We also dug our own onsen in the river just outside - but there’s also a public outdoor onsen by the river as well as an indoor one in the minshuku. I also learned that “Minshuku” refers to a type of traditional, family-run guesthouse or lodging. Staying at a minshuku typically involves a more personal and homely experience, with the hosts often preparing homemade meals (usually Japanese-style), and the atmosphere is usually casual and friendly - I think it was all those things.

If I have to point out something I think perhaps the ceiling in the indoor onsen could use some new paint but that’s really a minor detail

Very warm and welcoming atmosphere. The food was amazing! I had dinner and breakfast and also took a lunch box with me and really enjoyed everything. The staff is also very supportive in figuring out the logistics for your hike along the Kumano Kodo. Last but not least there was an indoor bathtub, an outdoor bathtub and you could even take borough a shovel and dig your own onsen at the river bank (one of my favourite experiences in Japan).

It was a charm! Perfect accommodation to stay for a night when doing Kumano-Kodo. Futons were comfortable, breakfast exceptional, view on the river and forest were the best. The minshuku also provides coffee, slippers and nice yukatas to relax in. It has a small free to use outside onsen on the river bank (connected by a bridge), which they maintain together with a number of other guest houses on the street. It also has a temperature control. Soaking there after the sunset and seeing the night sky was the best (Please donate some money if you use it!!) In terms of facilities there isn’t much, but honestly not much is needed when you are hiking - just a good rest, good food and an onsen, since you are constantly on the go anyway.

Everything was good.

The hosts are super hard working and friendly. Kikuko-san seemed to be juggling reception in 3 languages (Japanese, French and English) while also prepping meals. They were thoughtful and generous in helping me to leave early as a typhoon threatened to cancel all transport to/ from the region. The river in front of the property is a refreshing treat in the summer heat. And the senninboro (public hotspring) is just across the river. The meals are flavourful and filling. I had dinner, breakfast and the Kumano lunch box. The coffee machine (yes!) rather than instant granules was a great. Sadly it was just too hot to get into the super hot onsen. Rooms are basic but facilities are good value for money. Bus stops to access several trail heads are a minute or so walk away. You can also walk to/from Hongu Taisha Mae in 45 mins - 1 hr and Watarase Onsen in 15- 20 mins (both via a tunnel at end). Room tip: 2nd floor rooms have a view of the river. 3rd floor rooms do not. I look forward to staying there again when I return to explore more of the trails.

I was sad the bar wasn't open. I would have liked to try the local craft beer from Tanabe! and to meet some of the other guests.

The breakfast, dinner, and bento were so delicious!! I miss the mushroom and duck hot pot. All the meals were fresh and healthy. Best bento on the kumano kodo! The hosts were so nice. The private onsen was great for couples. You can adjust the temperature of the onsen if it is too hot or too cold. Great location. Would definitely stay again. The lobby has welcome drinks and there is also a kettle in the room with tea.

Futon may have been a bit thinner so the ground could be felt a bit more but it was not uncomfortable, we still slept well.

The stay during new year is excellent. The staff were friendly and always willing to help. I ordered the luggage delivery service, and they are trustworthy. The minshuku is located right near a bus stop, so it would be convenient to arrive there. Near the minshuku, there is a public outdoor hot spring where you can enjoy the onsen time. The room is private and spacious. I also enjoyed the splendid dinner at the end of a year, and had the first cup of coffee at the beginning of 2024 at Sumiya. Not to mention the exquisite new year take-out lunch box. The host even made snacks in looks of dragon🐲 and rabbit🐰. The stay at Sumiya left me joyful memories in new year celebration!

Stayed here with my teenager in June at the start of our Kumano Kodo travels. We want to come back here again. The guest house was immaculate, quiet, located right on the river next to the public outdoor onsen (swim in the river, soak in the onsen on the river bank). Our room overlooked the river with a rooftop patio. Dinner and breakfast were home-cooked meals by our host, Kohei. The location is fantastic.After two weeks in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, we really had a chance to relax at his guest house. We were the only non- Japanese guests during our stay - the rest were local fishermen. We also have to really thank Kohei, who runs the guest house by himself. Kohei was just warm, kind, funny, and down-to-earth. He helped us get used to the onsen, wearing yakutas, slippers, etc. it made all the difference. There's also an onsen in the guest house but we only went to the outdoor river one. He treated us to after-dinner yuzu made by his friend in Tanabe, spontaneously took us to see fireflies at night (2 weeks a year each june) when he heard my teenager has never seen them before, and drove us to the start of our hiking trail when a rock slide blocked the local bus from running. He plays bass guitar and knows everyone in town. Even our host in the next town told us how wonderful he was when they asked where we had stayed. We are from Hawaii where Aloha is our way of life. We hope that Kohei and his family will have a chance to visit so that we can host in return. Btw- there are 3 bus stops in Kawayu- the guest house is at the 2nd bus stop, but even if you miss it and go to third bus stop it's only a 5 min walk back.

Everything was great.