Kouri Guest House Shimayado

The balcony was still useful during the thunderstorm. The roof covers part of the grill and seating area, and the view held up even in the rain. We stayed two nights with six people and two shihtzus. The place was very clean indoors and out, and though it isn't brand new, it's clearly looked after. Covered private parking right beside the front door felt secure and made unloading groceries and bags easy. We had plenty of room to gather and still get some privacy. The beds were roomy, the pillows super comfy, and the soaking tub and separate bathrooms helped us relax. There’s a big BBQ grill, cooking and dining gear, outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi that worked great, and Netflix for the family. There’s just one TV in the house, though neither bedroom has one. Each of the four double beds has outlets in the headboard for charging and streaming on your own device. A few practical things: bring food if you don't have a car, since most places to stay on Kouri Island are not near grocery or convenience stores. Some restaurants are walkable, but in our experience their hours were limited. There’s a ¥100 vending machine by the parking area for drinks. Pick up ice before arriving, since the fridge and freezer work well, but you probably won't want to drive back over the bridge for ice. If you want coffee or tea in the morning, bring your own supplies. The electric kettle beside the microwave is handy for tea or ramen, but you'll need instant coffee, or you can get a warm bottle from the vending machine downstairs. The free indoor slippers and balcony slippers are too small if you wear over US Men 6.5 / 8 Women, so bring your own. You know the house rules in Japan, just keep them in mind and respect the home. Arrange the BBQ ahead of time so they can prepare it, and they'll leave tongs and a spatula. Bring any foil, seasonings, paper towels, aluminum trays, serving spoons, and paper plates you'll want. Arrange pet stays ahead of time too. There’s a ¥5000 fee per pet, due before arrival, for the extra deep cleaning. They use an Ozon machine to deodorize and clean for future guests. I dislike extra fees too, but this one doesn't feel pointless, and maybe it earns some good karma. There's a stairway from the balcony to the roof with a chained combination lock. I couldn't tell if roof access was off limits all the time or just blocked because of the weather. The only real negative for us was a faint urine or sewer smell near the toilet and floor drain. It wasn't a big deal, and seems pretty common in beach or island rentals, but I wanted to mention it. As of June2022, each person staying there, children included, still had to provide a home address and passport before arrival. Picture IDs are accepted for SOFA personnel. They email a link for uploading everyone's required details and documents.

The view from the room was so beautiful, I could have sat there looking at it forever. We stayed with friends who often travel together, and the quiet atmosphere helped us unwind. The room was clean, with thoughtful little details, and we came away feeling rested in both mind and body. It's a lovely place we'd definitely like to return to.

We spent the evening shopping, then used the BBQ and enjoyed the beautiful sea and scenery on Kouri Island. The room was clean and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. It made for a wonderful Okinawa trip, and I'd love to come back! ✨🫶🏻

Cooking and eating together out on the balcony was such a good time. They had plates and glasses ready, plus a large griddle that worked great for yakitori and meat. The inn itself was beautiful, and the facilities and view were amazing!!