Aoi Ie

At night we roasted marshmallows by the hearth and relaxed beside the charcoal fire. The old house had plenty of character, but the electric carpet, kotatsu, and fan heater kept us comfortable. We were eight people from two families, including elementary school children, staying for a weekend in mid-November. The home-style cooking brought back a countryside feeling, the rice was delicious, and the optional sashimi was fresh with a lovely texture. The owners and host made the reasonably priced stay feel like a chance to experience local life. Before we arrived, they shared advice on routes and places to see. They also showed us a nearby pass with a view over Wakasa Bay. Riding up the mountain path through fallen leaves, we got wonderful views of the ocean and autumn colors. It added a lot to our trip. Thank you.

I was grateful for the manager's thoughtfulness. The spacious tatami room, high ceiling, and big windows made it easy to lounge around and feel like a kid again. The air conditioner was installed, but the electrical work needed to run it in every room wasn't done yet, so I used it from midday until evening. The rest of the time, there was just a fan and a breeze from the windows. Still, it was much more bearable than I'd expected, and though I thought sleep would be impossible, I slept soundly. There's something moving about opening the windows on three sides, along with the sliding doors and wooden door, and sitting with a fan, a cool breeze, cold tea, and the scent of mosquito coils. One cup of ice cream and I would've been right back in the Showa era. Next time I'd like to walk along the Umakashi Kaido. Thank you.

We had a comfortable stay for three days and two nights, from August 11th to 13th. There's a hearth here, so I'd like to come back in the colder months and use it. Looking forward to staying again.

The building was clean, and I liked its pleasant, slightly old-fashioned atmosphere. The manager was very nice too.