Minshuku Kaburagi

I stayed during the Suigun Race. The owner was cheerful and friendly. There’s one bath, plus another in the annex and a karaoke space. I had breakfast too, and the miso soup was delicious, with lots of ingredients.

The food was tasty and filling, and the landlady was very friendly. It’s a charming place I’d like to return to. My high school-aged daughter said she wanted to come back too. We stayed with family on a return to Imabari. The room felt quite old, with a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere, but it was clean and I was comfortable there. The toilet and bath are shared, so they may not suit nervous guests or less experienced travelers. One funny mishap: we were told not to lock the bathroom door because it might stop opening. But even with it unlocked, simply closing it kept it shut. The whole family got stuck, then after fiddling with it for a while we got it open and all laughed. Best to lock only the bathroom entrance and leave the inner door open.

The bedding was my main issue. The futons felt like rice crackers, and sleeping on them was pretty uncomfortable. I wish they’d do something about that. It was 9,800 yen for one night with two meals, which earns it three stars from me. I stopped here while walking along the Shimanami Kaido. It’s a typical guesthouse, with a main building and an annex where I stayed. The breakfast and dinner were delicious, especially the grilled salted sea bream and the Thai rice. Portions were big enough that I couldn’t manage seconds, lol. The annex toilets on the first floor are Japanese-style and smelled bad. There’s practically no security, so be aware of that.

As my first place to stay on my first trip to Japan, this turned out to be a great choice. I arrived late during a bicycle trip and was welcomed warmly. There was a shed to store my bike, so I didn’t have to worry about theft, and I could wash my clothes properly using the washing machine. There isn’t much nearby since it’s out in the countryside, but the owner kindly drove me to a convenience store. The windows were large with a lovely view, and they made me a Japanese-style breakfast.