Guest House Okagesan

Our lodging is a historic house, more than 100 years old. The house has all of the features of an authentic Japanese mountain home. The floors are covered with tatami mats, and rooms divided by sliding fusuma doors. There is an irori hearth and in the kitchen is an old- fashioned kamado rice cooking stove built into the floor. The house has lots of antiques and yet fully furnished with modern facilities.Manabu San was consistently thoughtful and generous. He goes out of his way to make sure we have a comfortable and well-provisioned stay. The thought that has been put into everything we could possibly need is impressive. This is truly a home away from home. The house is very spacious, comfortable and warm (in the areas where we spent most time). It's a quiet and peaceful house next to the river, you get soothed at night with the sound of the flowing water. Manabu-san pops by our lodge with rice-balls. The rice balls are always accompanied with lovely handwritten notes to wish us well and to ask if anything is well with us! At the verandah of the house, Manabu-san has ready seeds and water for the birds. Each morning you will get up to the sound of birds chirping. The front paper-screen-door of the house has a special sliding window that opens up so that you can watch the bird through a clear screen in your warm bedroom. There is also the washing machine and a dryer in the yard in front ready for our convenience.There are very generous supplies of provisions - really great coffee (instant and drip) and both black and green tea. There are all kinds of snacks which get replenished daily. We didn't cook but we saw supplies for cooking in the kitchen and fridge. Every morning, Mahabu san would bring us really great tasting rice balls! There's ample supply of toiletries and he provides ample towels for your convenience.I read that the house was visited by Yamamoto Genpo Roshi, who is a famous and great monk in the Showa era. I cannot verify it but I did see photos of a monk on the wall of the house. By the way, you need to be comfortable staying in a house with no lock. We were fine with it. We felt very safe staying there.Cars can be parked at a nearby grocery stalls where you can get supplies. Manabu san owns an izakaya nearby and you get to taste really yummy food. There is easy access to the onsens and Kumano Kodo trails. Watarase onsen is about 10 mins walk away.

The boss thoughtfully turned on the air conditioner before we arrived. There was a large space for us to use. The boss served hot rice balls every morning. The cool stream next to the B&B made the hot summer heat disappear! !A quiet night allows both the mind and body to fully rest! ! Spent two great nights here! !The kids voted it the best place to stay on this trip! !In addition, the boss’s roasted bird is so delicious! ! Be sure to go! !

I stayed here for three days. The boss is really nice. He brings rice balls every day. The house is very comfortable to live in. I will bring Taiwanese sorghum here later.

Excellent and peculiar experience in a traditional Japanese house. Many details and despite being an old house, it has all the needs and is very comfortable. It is really worth spending one night (and if you can, a few more). The owner runs the town bar and is a very friendly guy.

The house is super well equipped, and above all has a crazy charm: it’s like being in an old Kurosawa film! The owner, Manabu, is very welcoming. The location is ideal: 15 minutes walk from Yunomine onsen (and therefore 2 portions of Kumano Kodo) or Kawayu onsen, 5 minutes from the beautiful outdoor Watarase onsen and the bus stop for Shingu, Kii Tanabe, and Hossimon Ji. And 2 minutes from the small restaurant in Manabu, where the yakitoris and oden are delicious and inexpensive.

Our lodging is a historic house, more than 100 years old. The house has all of the features of an authentic Japanese mountain home. The floors are covered with tatami mats, and rooms divided by sliding fusuma doors. There is an irori hearth and in the kitchen is an old- fashioned kamado rice cooking stove built into the floor. The house has lots of antiques and yet fully furnished with modern facilities.Manabu San was consistently thoughtful and generous. He goes out of his way to make sure we have a comfortable and well-provisioned stay. The thought that has been put into everything we could possibly need is impressive. This is truly a home away from home. The house is very spacious, comfortable and warm (in the areas where we spent most time). It's a quiet and peaceful house next to the river, you get soothed at night with the sound of the flowing water. Manabu-san pops by our lodge with rice-balls. The rice balls are always accompanied with lovely handwritten notes to wish us well and to ask if anything is well with us! At the verandah of the house, Manabu-san has ready seeds and water for the birds. Each morning you will get up to the sound of birds chirping. The front paper-screen-door of the house has a special sliding window that opens up so that you can watch the bird through a clear screen in your warm bedroom. There is also the washing machine and a dryer in the yard in front ready for our convenience.There are very generous supplies of provisions - really great coffee (instant and drip) and both black and green tea. There are all kinds of snacks which get replenished daily. We didn't cook but we saw supplies for cooking in the kitchen and fridge. Every morning, Mahabu san would bring us really great tasting rice balls! There's ample supply of toiletries and he provides ample towels for your convenience.I read that the house was visited by Yamamoto Genpo Roshi, who is a famous and great monk in the Showa era. I cannot verify it but I did see photos of a monk on the wall of the house. By the way, you need to be comfortable staying in a house with no lock. We were fine with it. We felt very safe staying there.Cars can be parked at a nearby grocery stalls where you can get supplies. Manabu san owns an izakaya nearby and you get to taste really yummy food. There is easy access to the onsens and Kumano Kodo trails. Watarase onsen is about 10 mins walk away.