Minshuku Iwananosato

The owners were friendly, the food was gorgeous, and the place itself was beautiful. I’m definitely coming back.

Dinner and breakfast were fantastic, with plenty of dishes and everything, including the char sashimi and grilled char, tasting great. The kids said, “The fish is seriously good! We want to come again!” We had seconds of rice and ran out. The owner seemed sorry, and his grandmother, I think, apologized too. No, no, we’d just eaten a lot. The next morning they thoughtfully told us they’d cooked plenty of rice, and the kids had seconds again. We came as a family. The road was quite challenging unless you came from Owase High School Hikarigaoka, just as the reviews said. In walking distance, we spotted a waterfall from above rather than going down to the river. It had an impressive flow and was breathtaking. The self-service corner with complimentary hot drinks, cold café au lait, and cookies was much appreciated. We could use the bath privately and relax while looking at the forest. I’d forgotten my body wash towel, so I was glad one was provided as an amenity. The only downside was the thin futon. I’d like to stay again!

They run a dog breeding business too, and we got to meet some toy poodles. In summer, you can swim in a nearby river with very clear water. Since they had time, they also drove us around Owase and showed us the area, which was fun. This inn was full of hospitality. Our train was delayed by trouble, so we arrived late, but they still served us dinner. There was so much elaborate food we couldn’t finish it, and both the trout and wild game were delicious. Thank you very much.

We came with a married couple who are friends of ours, for our annual trip to Choshi River. This year we picked this inn, reached by narrow, winding mountain roads. Access is not great, but it’s very quiet there, with almost no lights. We’d hoped for a beautiful starry sky, and although clouds covered most of it, we did see lovely stars through the gaps. The husband and wife who run the inn made it feel warm and welcoming. The river fish and game dishes were very satisfying. The water is apparently home-grown and said to be good for your health. When we mentioned setting off fireworks, they prepared buckets and other supplies for us, a thoughtful touch. We’d like to make this our regular summer inn.