Hachijojima Gardenso

Grandma is amazing.

You get a warm welcome from a local grandmother at this homely inn, and it has that comforting countryside feeling of being back in your hometown. It's not the cleanest place. Bring your own yukata or other loungewear, since none is provided. There's Wi-Fi, a shared fridge and kettle, plus a washing machine, detergent, and dryer for doing laundry.

I felt completely at home here and could really relax, even though I was traveling. Dinner was a spread of delicious dishes, then I sat around the hearth with Eikoba and drank island shochu. Everyone was friendly even though we'd only just met, and it turned into such a lively evening that the time flew. Eikoba is the best. Thanks for all your help, and for making the trip so much fun. When my return boat was canceled, they quickly arranged a flight for me, even though getting onto the special flight by smartphone that day was difficult and people were reportedly on waiting lists. I'd love to visit again. The inn sells Eikoba's special island sweet potato tsukudani, which was delicious, along with some unusual jams, including passion, hibiscus, and guava. If you want beer, buy your own, or bring some along.

Meals are in a big, country-style living room with the other guests, and the timing is flexible. It has that whole-family dinner feeling from *Summer Wars*. Families with small kids seem at ease, and people quickly get to know each other. The food is home-style cooking. I especially liked the white rice and tofu made with Hachijojima's clean water, though that's just my preference. The main draw is still dinner conversation with Grandma Eiko, free all-you-can-drink island liquor, and the huge book collection, which I assume Grandpa put together. The building is old and sound carries. The garden is frankly overgrown, and it gives the impression that insecticide has been scattered around, but the futons were clean and there's air conditioning. A town-run hot spring bath is nearby; I didn't use the inn's shower this time. Other reviewers with house dust allergies said they had no trouble, but I couldn't stop sneezing when I switched on the air conditioner. The library corner has hundreds of books and a terrific range of new publications, without an obvious bias. There are children's titles such as the Aoi Tori Bunko series and Gakken educational comics, books that were assigned during my undergraduate days, and the Tezuka Osamu manga paperback series. I could easily spend three days reading there. Even if rain catches you after you make it all the way to the island, you'll be fine at Garden Inn! 🙆 Island-famous Grandma Eiko is the best, and meeting her alone makes the stay worthwhile. ⭐︎