Traditional Japanese House in Kamakura

We confirmed our booking on Hostelworld weeks ahead of time. After two days of travel, we landed in Japan and contacted the hotel, only to be told that the price we booked was too low and they would need to charge us much more. They showed no decency in trying to work with us, and there was nobody to talk to. We were left stranded at 5pm with nowhere to go. When an online booking has been confirmed, it should be honored. At the very least, they should contact guests in advance if they think a price is too cheap for New Year’s.

The sheets were dirty, the house was freezing, and piles of junk were stacked everywhere. There were no towels or information, and we left in the middle of the night. Getting inside was a mess too: nobody was there to let us in, and when we finally reached the owner an hour later, she said the key was in a lockbox on the side of the house. It was very hard to spot in the dark. The key opened the front door padlock, but then we couldn't lock that door again from inside. Worst accommodation ever!

The breakfast was far more than my husband expected for the price. It started with salad, followed by miso soup, rice and natto, steamed vegetables with chicken, seasoned sautéed vegetables with tofu age, three kinds of tsukemono (mushrooms, daikon and plum), tofu and rice pudding, yuba soup, dried baby shrimp, a mushroom soup, fried mackerel with glazed onion, and barley porridge. It was all delicious, and there was so much of it. We did notice the common dining table was quite dirty after eating there alone, and I couldn't tell whether the host or the previous guests were meant to clean it. I went to the kitchen for cleaning supplies, but its cleanliness wasn't up to my standards either. I'm very picky about kitchens, though. The room cleanliness and kitchen area felt quite different. I wish I could rate them separately: probably a 3 for the bedrooms and a 2 for the kitchen and dining space. My main room concern was the lack of pillowcases. The pillows looked clean enough and seemed to be filled with some kind of grain husk, perhaps rice or buckwheat, though I don't know how they could be cleaned. This is an old family home, more than 100 years old, and it may have been a mansion when it was built. It seems to have been gradually updated with running water, flush toilets and electricity, perhaps through DIY projects that are still works in progress. The place has the usual clutter of a lived-in family house. I wouldn't call it “filthy,” as some reviews do. It feels more like an Airbnb from before Airbnb existed, an “airbed and breakfast” without the air. There are several guest rooms, including a dormitory that feels like a hostel. We chose the en suite room so we'd have our own shower and toilet. At our age, we didn't want to have to step over other guests several times in the night to use the bathroom. The traditional sleeping setup was thin futons on heated carpet pads, a bit like electric blankets on the floor. I like a firm mattress and slept very well. The thin paper doors between rooms are part of the traditional feel, which I liked, but sounds carry through them. I'm a snorer, so I felt bad for the people in the dormitory next door. I did hear a duet of snoring from there too. Apart from that, it was peaceful: no traffic or city sounds, just quiet until the birds started singing around sunrise. Our host was friendly, welcoming and helpful. He showed us how to use the amenities, answered our questions, and even made space in the family fridge for some groceries we needed to keep cold. If you need a perfectly clean house, are a light sleeper, or have trouble getting up and down from the floor, this may not suit you. But if you want an interesting stay in a welcoming atmosphere, I recommend the “Traditional Japanese House Near Sea.”

The location is pretty good, and the house could have a lot going for it with better management and some investment. It feels like a backpacker hostel without the camaraderie, but costs like a Ryokan without the cleanliness or service. My two grown-up kids and I thought it looked cool in the photos and seemed good value compared with other Kamakura properties. We should have paid more attention to the reviews. The house smells damp and mildewy, and the blankets and tatami were dirty, with hair from previous guests visible. Facilities are basic. I've used nicer toilets in backpacker hostels in India. We left before trying the kitchen or shower room. Then a centipede bit me on the face. It feckin hurt. I can't blame the host for a bite happening, but the damp and general lack of care may attract bugs. I think it was hiding in the tatami the host brought out from a storage cupboard. I wish we'd been warned, since apparently someone has been bitten there before. Nobody slept much after that, and we left as soon as we could. A deep clean and a dehumidifier would be a start. If you're still thinking of booking, I'd ask the nearest adult.