Pension Akai Yane

That cozy log cabin feel made the stay at Resort Garni CORU so comfortable, especially with the wood burning stove in the lobby. We booked a double room without meals, but the drinks we ordered in the lobby were tasty and affordable. It’s tucked into a beautiful area with easy access to the Venus Line. The staff were really welcoming, and even offered to ship me the nalgene water bottle I’d left in our room. I wish we could have stayed longer, and I’d definitely come back.

The food was the highlight for me. I’d picked this inn because I’d heard the meals were good, and they were even better than I expected. Everything was delicious, the colorful presentation was lovely, and drinks were reasonably priced. Breakfast was great too, especially the apple jam. I would have bought some if it had been for sale. My room was comfortable and cute, with a TV and mini-fridge. It stayed cool just by opening the window, even without the air conditioner. There were face towels and toiletries, but no bath towels, so you may want to bring one. Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap were provided in both the room bath and family bath. The unit bathroom felt a little small, and I wished it had a washlet. The cottage is large, so a big renovation may be difficult, though it looked like they were gradually updating some bathroom fixtures. I didn’t check whether the first floor toilet had a washlet, so I can’t say for sure. There were naturally some bugs in the guest room, haha. My room was upstairs, and there’s no elevator, so getting around with a suitcase could be tricky. The stairs also have no handrail, which made keeping my balance harder than I’d like to admit. It rained during our trip out of the prefecture, as it seems to whenever my husband and I travel, but thankfully it wasn’t a downpour. If the weather had been better, we could probably have explored more. I’m not sure what activities are nearby, and there’s a campground quite a way down the mountain. There are various villas along the road, some well kept and some looking rather neglected, which felt a bit unsettling. Still, it was so cool that I wondered if I was really in Japan, and after just one night I’d forgotten the scorching heat.

The owner was so gentle and kind that I could really unwind after being worn out by the city. The starry sky made the stay feel almost dreamlike, and I’d love to return. I was there for three days, August 16th-18th, in Japanese-style Room 7. They said the loft gets too hot for sleeping in summer, so I slept on the tatami below instead. I love futons and slept deeply for a long time. Both dinner and breakfast were delicious, and the beef stew was incredibly tender. The bath is shared. When someone is using it, the sign changes from "OPEN" to "CLOSE." The water temperature was just right, and I ended up soaking for ages. There’s a bath mat in front of the bathroom door, so remember to move it before going in.

The meals were my favorite part. The menu changed each day, and everything was delicious and suited my taste. I especially recommend the "cabbage wrapped in meat." I stayed two days with breakfast and dinner included and was very satisfied. The place is simple, stylishly decorated in a European style, and very clean. The owner was a calm, quiet young man, but very kind, and everything was neatly arranged. I’d happily stay here again.