Experiencing Traditional Life Style Inn Kajiya Iya Romantei

We left with full hearts, and saying goodbye today was honestly hard. Shino-san’s kindness, humor, and tips made us feel so welcome, and the meals were delicious. He went out of his way to make the stay special, from chopping wood to heat the rice and prepare the hot bath, to making onigiris together and sharing a taste of the treasured sake from his shrine. Staying in his beautiful old home in the quiet mountains is something we won’t forget. The traditional toilet takes a bit of getting used to, but I’d read about it beforehand and was prepared. It soon felt like part of the charm. For future guests, we’d recommend booking directly through his website.

I had such a wonderful stay and can only recommend Shino-san's accommodation. He’s so generous and does everything to make you comfortable. The food was amazing, and he made each moment feel like a little ceremony so you’re entertained. I already want to go back. Thank you 🙏

The place is peaceful and authentic, surrounded by beautiful nature, and we felt completely at home and cared for during our two nights. Shino-san was warm, kind, and attentive. He served us incredibly tasty, generous meals, especially the tofu, and guided us around the Iya Valley with so much passion and knowledge. We learned a lot about the region and Japanese culture in a short time. If we come back to Japan, we’ll definitely return. Thank you, Shino-san!

The moon rising each night over the small wood-fired soaking tub and feeding birds by hand from the deck over morning coffee were lovely parts of our four days. Kajiy Iya Romantei was the highlight of our month in Japan. Shino-San was attentive, engaging, funny, and a wonderful cook. We had fun with the clever ceremonies, and the “sake cave” was fantastic. The property was relaxing too. I’d highly recommend Kajiy Iya Romantei if you want an authentic village experience while exploring the Iya valley. We’d love to come back.