Pension Ippekiko

Dinner was mostly fish, and dessert was unprocessed mandarin oranges. The path from the parking lot to the entrance is steep, and there are no handrails on the indoor stairs, so this inn is for people with strong legs. It might suit anyone looking for a quiet stay with their dog. We stayed here with our dog, but there was no dog run or cloth for wiping its paws, despite what the website says. The owner is 70 years old and wants to close the business after “five more years.”

The owner was friendly and easy to talk to, and he knows a lot about hiking trails. If you like hiking, ask him about them. The place has just the bare necessities, which gave us room to step away from busy life and relax in nature. It made for a wonderful stay. There were six of us, my husband and me plus two other couples. The pension is open and beautiful, surrounded by greenery and nature. It sits at the end of a road beside a forest, so it was very quiet at night. We didn't bring our dog, but there was lots of space outside for dogs to run, and I think they'd enjoy it. It also seemed safe since only cars visiting the pension would be coming in. The hot spring bath has large windows, and a soak was relaxing. I'd suggest bathing before dark to enjoy the scenery outside.

The next morning we had a Western-style breakfast, and the main meal was delicious with more than enough food for two. We stayed for two days and one night over Golden Week. I found the place while looking for somewhere pets were allowed in the dining room. The sink, bath, and toilet are shared, so it really does take some consideration. There were no pet items in the room, not even water or food bowls, which was a bit of a problem. When I mentioned it at mealtime, they kindly lent me a plate. At night my dog kept reacting to other pets' noises and footsteps in the hallway, so he didn't get enough sleep.

Everything felt just right at this friendly guesthouse, and the hosts were unobtrusive. Pets stay for free, so please bring your own things for them instead of complaining about what's missing. People with dogs that aren't well behaved would be better off not staying here.