トラストメゾン白田

I stopped by while a friend was staying nearby. It’s peaceful forest country, and there aren’t houses close by, so a big group, a BBQ, or kids shouldn’t bother neighbors with smoke or noise. On the drive back, we even saw deer and raccoons. The approach is along mountain roads, which could be inconvenient if you’re not used to driving there, have a low-powered car, or need to go shopping.

The house rules are fairly detailed, but they’re basic and considerate of the guests who come after you, so I saw them as good manners. The place was perfectly clean when we stayed, and having mosquito coils was appreciated. I’d like to come back when I’m in Izu. Shopping takes planning since there are no convenience stores or supermarkets nearby. We brought plenty of ingredients this time, which saved us a round trip over the steep mountain road. For a BBQ, bring your own charcoal and grill. There’s a disposal point, gloves, and charcoal tongs, so no special gear was needed. The indoor tableware can’t be taken outside, so pack paper plates, chopsticks, and something to turn the meat with. There are no condiments, so bring those too. The location and price were great, and driving deeper into the mountains was an exciting experience, probably the best I’ve had. Next time I’ll take an SUV, lol. The road is steep and hard if you’re not comfortable driving or don’t have a four-wheel-drive vehicle. I managed in a kei car, but the accelerator was practically floored the whole way and the engine was yelling. We had our BBQ on the wooden deck, but the outside lighting was too weak. The LED lantern provided for it wasn’t useful, so more lighting would help. If you’re staying, bring a floodlight. I have one and will take it next time. The frying pans weren’t in good shape either; even a cheap, clean one would be better.

The place has the feel of a largely self-built property, with signs of leaks in the walls and floors. On rainy days, stains appeared on the floors, and the surrounding area looked like an abandoned resort. The log house itself uses solid wood, but the floors are a cheap-looking composite. There was no bathroom ventilation fan, and the window wouldn’t open, so smells lingered. The bulbs were pale blue and dim instead of a warm white. I booked four nights because the price was described as very reasonable, and I specifically wanted a place with a wood-burning stove. I’d driven 350 km, a six-hour trip, for that. But the stove hadn’t been maintained properly: the chimney sagged, the inside was sooty, and smoke wouldn’t clear, leaving the room smoky. I asked about maintenance and got no reply. In the end I couldn’t use it, which was a huge disappointment.

At night the sky is full of stars, and you can spot wild deer on the drive. The cabin has plenty of charm, with a garden where you can have a BBQ, and it can be rented through Airbnb. The approach is difficult, though. The mountain road is steep and narrow, with many spots where you have to reverse to let another vehicle through. It runs along a steep slope with cliffs on both sides, so it would be slippery and dangerous in rain or snow.