Tsumugi HachijoMinamotocho

Review dated February 12, 2021. A few things here could make a stay difficult, so be careful. The room had a stylish renovation, but it still felt very much like a traditional Japanese townhouse, and wasn’t especially photogenic. The layout was awkward: the kitchen was downstairs and the dining table upstairs, so carrying food up was a hassle. There was just one induction burner, detachable pot and pan handles that had to be taken off and put back on each time, and no oven mitts. Cooking clearly wasn’t well thought out, despite the listing saying you could prepare meals. A lot of basics were missing: no salt or pepper, chopsticks, plastic wrap, kitchen paper, lotion, or milk. There was no water purifier, so we had to buy water. The rice cooker didn’t work. There were rice bowls but no soup bowls, so even soup had nowhere proper to go. The only kettle was 0.6L, despite the stated capacity of 2 to 9 people. There were a few pricey appliances, but essential things were lacking. A large Dyson vacuum sat awkwardly in the living room, though I can’t see it being useful unless you stay a long time, and the place had too many inconveniences for a longer stay. There was a washing machine but nowhere to hang clothes. Using its dryer took ages and was noisy. The bath couldn’t be reheated, and the water cooled fast, making it a poor fit for Kyoto winters. To get to the bath from the living room, or back again, you had to go outside into a courtyard-like area. The second-floor bedroom air conditioner made a strange noise. The house did have an air purifier, but running the heater while sleeping dried out my throat, so humidifying the room would help. There was a coat rack upstairs for some reason, a chest of drawers in the tokonoma alcove, and freestanding lights that looked cheap. I wondered if the place was aimed at foreigners unfamiliar with Japanese culture. The official website didn’t list important cancellation fees, and other details were confusing, like how much you were supposed to restore the room before leaving. Cancellation within 30 days of the rental date meant paying the full fee, according to Rakuten Travel, though that wasn’t on the official site. The location wasn’t good either, at least 20 minutes from Kyoto Station. Nearby supermarkets were overpriced, and Family Mart and Fresco were a bit far away. Cleaning didn’t seem thorough, and the rate felt high for the quality. It had a somewhat nice atmosphere but was missing too much. I wouldn’t return or recommend it, especially for a long stay.

I was uneasy after reading the recent reviews, but many of the complaints seemed like things I could have checked on the website or by calling. Honestly, I should have just contacted the inn instead of writing a long gripe, lol. The staff were very friendly, and the townhouse has been renovated nicely while keeping its traditional charm. I had a fulfilling stay and felt a bit sorry for all the negative reviews, so I wanted to share my experience. Everyone values different things, but I’d definitely recommend it. The main issue about the layout was that the kitchen is downstairs and the dining table upstairs. It is inconvenient, but you could find that out by asking ahead. The upstairs coat rack didn’t bother me much, unless climbing the stairs is difficult. The house had rice bowls but no soup bowls, which again was something to check beforehand. The website or booking photos also show the number of burners and the layout, so I’m not sure where people were looking when they booked. Some other points raised in the reviews also seemed avoidable. The cancellation terms are listed on Jalan, and when I phoned, they confirmed the full fee applies within 30 days. I don’t recall seeing any promise of salt, pepper, chopsticks, plastic wrap, or paper towels. It’s not a hot spring inn, so I wouldn’t expect lotion or milk. There was mineral water in the fridge, and I don’t think a water purifier was advertised. No bath reheating function? You can add hot water. And there was a humidifier, or to be precise, an air purifier with a humidifying feature. The location and nearby shops are easy to check on a map, including Google Maps. It’s worth checking carefully before complaining.