Satoyama Guest House Couture

My boyfriend and I spent one night with Yuki and Eriko, and it was my favorite stay in all of Japan. Their whole family made us feel so welcome, and we got to see the beauty of the Japanese countryside. Ayabe is a real hidden gem. We loved catching crabs in the river and going on a “night safari” to spot wild deer. Yuki and Eriko were lovely to talk with, and Eriko is a wonderful cook. Their kids Saku and Aito are adorable too. I’d recommend this to anyone wanting a warm glimpse of rural Japan, 10/10.

Satoyama guesthouse was the best part of our holiday across 3 regions. Everyone should visit Ayabe and stay with Teruyuki san and his lovely family. They speak English very well, so the language barrier wasn’t a concern for us. They made us wonderful breakfasts and dinners, and there was a cute, friendly cat to cuddle. After dinner we had a lot of fun with board and card games. We caught tiny crabs in a beautiful stream and ate them after the family fried them for us, picked yuzu, went to Ayabe onsen, and made many more lovely memories. Teruyuki San even helped mail the jackets I’d left behind. They suggested some nice stops along the way from Osaka. Get in touch well before your trip if you want them to arrange reservations for experiential workshops. We’re so grateful for their hospitality. As soon as we got to Kyoto city, we were already sorry we’d left Ayabe. There are lots of good restaurants with affordable, delicious set lunches made from local ingredients.

Ayabe is such a beautiful, scenic place, and I can hardly find the words for it. Anyone visiting Japan should give it a try. We were welcomed warmly by Yuki and family and had a wonderful, unforgettable time. The hosts were so humble, especially Yuki, and we got to enjoy Japanese food and traditions in a peaceful setting.

The host and family in Ayabe were so kind and helpful. Before I arrived, they reminded me of everything I needed, so I didn’t have to worry about getting there by public transit. I asked Yuki san to take me hiking, and he led me to a 2000years chestnut tree. As someone born and raised in the city, that was a really special experience. He also showed me memorable places. He and his family were so lovely and made me feel at home. I highly recommend it!