NIPPONIA HOTEL Koyasan Pilgrimage Railway Operated - Vacation STAY 83808

The place offers a peaceful bit of time travel, and I gave it 4/5. My twin room was US$285. There are two retro rooms, and I stayed in the Koya Koya room, once part of the train crew's waiting room. Trains still stop here and people get on and off, but the earplugs provided weren't needed by me. The furnishings are antique, apart from the modern bathroom, which I appreciated. Kōyashita Koyashita is a riverside Taishō Era station in Kudoyama, about 30 minutes from soul stirring Koyashan, a welcome break from everyday life. I like projects that preserve and reuse old buildings, and this station turned into a Nipponia hotel does that well. There's the Kudoyama to Koyashan pilgrimage route to explore. Bring food and drinks. I brought sushi from Kuwaraku persimmon leaf sushi “Kuwaraku” and other things from two roadside stations. Breakfast is onigiri at Kudoyama station, a train ride down the mountain. What fun.

The setting was the best part for us, with the train station details giving the room a lot of character. We loved hearing the trains arrive and leave. Although the room isn't especially well insulated, the trains weren't loud enough to keep us awake, and we slept well. It's in a quiet spot among forest and river, and the river is tempting for a cold plunge, though the water is very cold and the current strong, so take care. The room is huge, with the best beds we had on the trip, a Japanese toilet, a nice tub and bathroom, and good Wi-Fi. Check-in was easy to do remotely with a door code. You step off the train, walk five meters, and you're at your room. It was the most fun stay of our whole vacation. Breakfast coupons and train tickets are supplied for the short ride to Kudoyama. A small kiosk there serves excellent onigiri and miso soup, a pilgrim's snack, and the coupon covers breakfast each day. Kudoyama also has convenience stores and restaurants, so it's the better option for dinner or supplies. The walk back to Koyashita from there is lovely and takes up to about 50 minutes, though some roads have little protection from cars. Koyasan is also worth visiting, with many temples and a huge, beautiful cemetery. If you can, attend the Jukai ceremony at a temple. You could spend a day or even two there. Getting there by train, cable car, and bus is straightforward. A unique, peaceful base near Koyasan.

If you're trying to get away from your boss or spouse, the lack of Wi-Fi might suit you. Mobile reception is weak in the area, and the hotel doesn't offer Wi-Fi, so planning the next few days could be difficult. The room is small but fine, and train fans may find the place interesting. It's not set up for cooking.

Clean and cozy, with a great location just a short walk from the railway station. The person I dealt with was very friendly. I'd choose this place again if I came back.