Haletto House Sakanoshita

I’d been looking forward to checking in after reading all the positive reviews, but we were disappointed as soon as we entered. The whole house smelled old, and the floor was covered in dust, hair, and grime. The bathroom was old and dirty, the walls had mold, and the bathtub was dirty too. We only washed our feet there. We didn’t dare take a bath, let alone soak. The kitchen was dusty, the pots and pans greasy and dirty, the kettle stained, and the drawers and dish utensils rusty. We’d brought food but didn’t dare cook. There were cobwebs everywhere, stained curtains, dirty windows, and trash on the garden floor. All four Japanese-style cushions were extremely dirty, so we wouldn’t use them. There were two beds, but the landlord only supplied single sheets, so we had to make the beds ourselves with our own bedspreads, pillowcases, and sheets. I’ve said “dirty” repeatedly because that’s simply what we found. The quality was far from the website description, and facilities we should have been able to use were basically unusable because of the dirt. This place needs a thorough renovation and cleaning.

The deep bath was a highlight for me. It let me sink into the water and relax, unlike the shallow tub I have at home. I also loved how cute and practical the reading nook and kitchen were. I spent the night in this old farmhouse, unwinding on the veranda beside its little garden.

The one letdown was how clearly sounds carried from the neighboring homes. Since the weather was pleasant, a family next door had their windows open, and I could hear the baby's cries in the morning. Being woken up when I'd come to relax was a bit of a nightmare. Apart from that, I liked the old house and its time-travel feeling, and the nearby shops and convenience stores made the location handy.

I loved the old-house atmosphere, a little like a home from Totoro, while still finding the place comfortable. The single bed may feel small if you're bigger or tend to toss and turn, so a tatami mat could be a better option. The house stayed cool despite its size, thanks to strong air conditioning. There was plenty of useful equipment too, including a large fridge, microwave, and complete tableware. It's near the station and has a view of the sea, and I left with lovely memories.