Izumo Dogs

The house felt brand new inside, very clean, and so lovely that we couldn’t have guessed from its outside appearance. My wife kept saying “Wow!” when we walked in. We came as a family of four with our dog just before Obon in August, and they kindly let us check in early when the heat made it impossible to take the dog out of the car. From the second-floor bedroom, we could see a canal-like river, green mountains to the left, and the occasional Ichibata Electric Railway train passing by. It was a lovely view, the sort that made me imagine living there. The Setamari Otorii Gate at Izumo Taisha Shrine is about a five-minute walk away. The high-season rate was a bit steep, but it felt worth it. We could leave the dog in the air-conditioned house while we walked along Kamimon-dori Street and saw the old townscape, which still has the feel of a post town from its busy days. Once it cooled down in the evening, we walked the dog to Inasa Beach. The next morning we visited Izumo Taisha Shrine early, before it got hot. We had a great trip and enjoyed a kind of stay that a large hotel can’t offer. Thank you.

We made it to Izumo Taisha Shrine on foot early in the morning, since it’s nearby, and that was lovely. The place was stylish, roomy, and clean, and everyone in the family loved it. Our Pomapoo was thrilled too. It was my second son’s birthday, so we picked up a cake from a stylish shop nearby and had a family celebration.

We booked at short notice for the first day of Golden Week, since we needed somewhere that would take our family of six and our dog. The whole place, a renovated old Japanese house, was available just for us. It was quiet and private, and the entrance had a sleek PIN-code auto lock that felt secure. The dining room, living room, and bedroom are separate, and there were plenty of amenities. For the dog, there was a foot-washing spot by the entrance, cleaning cloths, a toilet, cage, food and water bowls, and a dedicated trash bin, so we didn’t need to bring those things along. We’d be happy to stay here again with family or friends if we get the chance.

The facilities were new, clean, and up to date, and I was really impressed. This private rental takes up to six people plus a dog and has cooking gear and dishes for making your own meals. It’s only a few minutes from Izumo Taisha Shrine, even closer to the shrine approach, with convenience stores and roadside rest stops in walking distance. I first found it while looking for a dog-friendly place, but I’d happily return without a dog too. A few small drawbacks: there’s no clock in the room, so it’s hard to keep track of time; one toilet feels insufficient for a large group; and one of the rooms has no window.