Thy Guest House

The owner was really friendly, and the place was peaceful. When I was there, most of the guests were Japanese, and I was the only one staying longer than two nights. One night I had the entire floor to myself. It was spring and the temperature was pretty nice, though I imagine it could get a bit hot in summer. The beds don't block sound, as you'd expect, and they make quite a bit of noise at night. Keep that in mind if you're a night owl or plan on taking late walks out into the dark countryside. I was the only backpacker there, which made for a pleasant, quiet stay.

I stayed in the third-floor women's room, where two showers and two toilets served eight people, more than enough. Everything was very, very clean. The pod itself had plenty of space for my 20-inch suitcase and backpack, with room left over, and two power sockets. The sheets and duvet cover were so nice I wanted to take them home. One of the best hostels I've stayed at in Japan. Highly recommend.

The staff are welcoming and happy to share travel tips or suggestions. It's fairly close to Ise Shrine's Gaiku location, not the Grand Shrine, though still a lovely branch to visit. There's no parking, so ask staff directly about paid parking spots rather than relying on the website. The place is clean, modern, roomy and comfortable, with a bright lounge, and the bedding already had sheets on it.

Good service, a clean bed, and great staff.