Guesthouse Kurihai

This was my first time here, and it was full of problems. We’d told them there would be six of us, but they said they only had four sets of amenities. There weren’t any bath towels or other amenities, and we had to pay for them. There were no toothbrushes either, so don’t expect free amenities. They offered garbage bags that cost 4 yen for 50 yen. What a rip-off. Even though I’d told them when I was checking out, they came ten minutes early because the next guest was arriving and rushed me. It was awful. A friend posted a similarly terrible review, and it was deleted. It seems like the administrator may remove reviews that are inconvenient for them. I’m only writing what happened. If this review gets deleted again, I’ll keep fighting it as many times as it takes.

We were able to use the whole building exclusively, which felt reassuring even during the pandemic. The management staff were kind and helpful, explaining the facilities and sharing plenty of local sightseeing information. The cat that sometimes came by was adorable, and my elementary-school-aged son loved it. It rained a lot over our three nights, but relaxing in the room among the trees and listening to the rain was lovely. We’d hoped to camp in the garden if the weather was good, so it was a shame that didn’t work out. Still, we made lovely memories and were very satisfied. The dinner we requested from the inn’s management was carefully prepared and delicious. You could tell they paid attention to each ingredient. I’d especially recommend the place during these times. Some details for anyone getting ready to stay, from summer 2021: there’s no washing machine, though a coin laundry is about a ten-minute drive away. There are no towels, so bring your own. There is a fridge, but the freezer is barely usable. Most cooking basics are provided, including a microwave, rice cooker, pots, pans and dishes. The building seems new, and the toilets, showers and sinks were all clean and comfortable. Nearby, Yusui Chaya tofu shop is popular, cheap and delicious. The white corn at the next-door roadside station was the sweetest I’ve ever had.

It’s peaceful and quiet here, with a campsite in the middle of the forest and a guesthouse building for staying indoors. The place can accommodate up to eight people, so it works well for a larger group. There’s a restaurant on site, but guests are generally expected to cook or buy packed lunches. The kitchen has plates, pots and pans, a cutting board, knives, microwave, fridge, chopsticks and spoons. There’s parking for more than ten cars on flat ground, with more spaces beside the restaurant and farther back. Watch out for the area directly next to the flat lot, since it’s one level lower. Bring your own toothbrush, razor and indoor clothes. A hairdryer is available, along with a shower room and shampoo dresser.

I don’t usually write long reviews, but this stay was disappointing and felt like a waste. The nearest convenience store is a full 10 km away, and the closest restaurant is almost 10 km away too. I tried cooking in the room, but was told not to grill meat because of the smoke. The facilities are so old that I couldn’t tell whether the big exhaust fan even worked or was just there for show. The person who seemed to be the manager told guests who had driven dozens of kilometers to buy cup ramen at that distant convenience store. I hope nobody else has the experience I did. Don’t come here. I can’t understand how this place has a 4.9-star rating. Did they make me pay for a review?