Cottage CANAC

I had a very relaxing night at Akagawara House, with its four Japanese-style rooms, large bath with a jacuzzi, spacious garden, and lots of cats outside. Staying in a traditional Okinawan home was a lovely experience. The house is also the model for the interior of Haisai, the Okinawan restaurant and guesthouse in the first chapter of the movie "Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club: The Final Chapter." I found the kitchen very well equipped, with all the cooking utensils, dishes, and cutlery listed in the amenities. There were also three or four kinds of pots, bowls, colanders, and knives, plus salt, oil, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil. There was plenty of tableware, from different dishes to small plates, so I had no trouble recreating the food from the movie. The garden is large, but getting to the house takes some care. You have to walk along a narrow mountain road that’s only wide enough for one car.

The owner is really kind, and there’s a cat, so watch out if you have allergies. I came on a pilgrimage, but the old house and the bugs would make it hard for me to stay several nights. Still, I’d recommend staying at least once.

The directions need a close look before you set off. There are one-way streets on the way both up and down, so the route in is different from the route out. If you don’t know the area, you could end up taking a long detour. Once you’re there, it feels like staying in a regular home, with all the usual amenities. There are six adorable kittens for company, too. The upper floor of the two-story guesthouse gets quite hot in the sun. The owner had already turned on the air conditioning before we arrived to cool it as much as possible, though it can actually get chilly at night. For people who enjoy guesthouse stays, I’d give it five stars.

The access road is narrow and may be hard to see at night, especially if you visit in the dark. The owner is very friendly, and it’s about a 10-minute drive to Churaumi Aquarium. The cabins are a little old but can fit 6-10 people. They’re fully equipped for cooking, with a washing machine, parking, microwave, TV, refrigerator, and dining utensils. There’s also a small hot spring pool where you can soak.