Nangoku Lodge Booya

The Shiba chan family misses you.

The rooms are cozy, and the owners are very polite. The landlady is really pretty, too. They have two adorable dogs, Jonny and Abby. They’re alert and bark at people, but they don’t bite. There are also lots of stray cats outside. You can pet them, just don’t let them into the guesthouse. The area is a little remote, so getting there by car is more convenient. There aren’t many shops nearby, so buy what you need before arriving. Induction cookers and microwaves are available.

The rooms are spread across two roomy floors, with the living area, little kitchenette, and fridge downstairs and the beds upstairs. Both levels have wooden floors. Breakfast is included and was quite tasty, with a choice of jam and either coffee or black tea. The washing machine is out in the yard and costs 200 yen per use, paid into the coin box. Booya sits on a secluded little hill in Onna village, with friendly cats around the property. The owners have several cats and two dogs, a poodle named Abby and a dachshund named Johnny. Abby’s a bit shy and barks some, but watching them run about was fun. The hostess speaks excellent English and is very friendly. It’s a lovely place for animal lovers, and I hope I can come back.

Kibougaoka, the nearest beach, is beautiful. It takes about 15 minutes on foot or just 2-3 minutes by car, and I’d recommend it. The bright yellow house is easy to spot, and the shared living room is stylish. Our room had a roomy living area and unit bath downstairs, with a spacious bedroom upstairs. The host and his young wife were kind and polite from our first hello through checkout. We had the barbecue dinner and a light Western breakfast included, and both were delicious. The barbecue came with more ingredients than I expected, which was exciting, and felt like great value for the price. You can bring your own drinks or order them at the inn. There’s a big dog run, and guests can bring dogs or other pets. The inn also has several friendly cats, a treat if you’re worn out, though people with dog or cat allergies may want to avoid staying here.