Minshuku Okinawajikan

The attentive service earned this guesthouse five stars from me, and I’d recommend it even if you’ve never stayed in one before. I went alone on a weekday in late May 2017. The owner showed me around the room and facilities, then suggested a nearby restaurant. At breakfast, his wife served dishes made with Okinawan ingredients and explained them as I ate. The meal was generous and delicious. During my stay, they served smoked and grilled mackerel, which I’d never tried before and think is quite rare. The location is excellent, close to the beach and bus terminal, so getting there without a rental car is easy. My room was about 8 tatami mats in size, with two beds and a shared shower and toilet. There’s no bathtub, and although a curtain separates the shower from the toilet, the floor around the toilet gets wet when you shower. It didn’t bother me, but keep it in mind if you want a bath. I understand many homes in Okinawa don’t have bathtubs, so perhaps this is part of local culture. WiFi was fast enough for videos, and there was a shared fridge for storing canned beer. I’m not usually keen on minshuku, or guesthouses. I travel alone on weekdays and tend to stay in my room after check-in, but I can tell the staff are considerate. Eating alone in a big hall or quietly in a 6-tatami Japanese-style room can make me nervous. Here, the owner and his wife were polite and gave me a comfortable amount of space, so I could relax. The meals also felt like eating at my parents’ dining table. I’d definitely stay here again if I return to Okinawa.

The meals were a real highlight, with lots of healthy variety, and they kindly worked around my requests about early breakfasts and what to eat. I stayed here during the Tour de France and had a wonderful time. I feel like staying here even helped me get such good race results. I’d gladly recommend it, especially to families.

The husband was so friendly, and his wife was a great cook. Their warm welcome really reflected who they are. I’d love to come back to Okinawa and stay here again.

Definitely try the breakfast, it’s packed with vegetables.