Cottage Ureshino

I arrived on the evening of my reservation, but was turned away because I was told the manager wasn't in a good state. I was left scrambling to find somewhere else to stay.

My reservation was canceled just 10 hours before check-in, even though I'd booked more than two months earlier. I only found out on the train while on my way there. They gave us no explanation at all, and the payment had been taken on the day I made the booking. What a bunch of scoundrels. There are similar places at the same price. If you want a booking canceled the day before for no reason or explanation, this is the place.

I really got to rest here, and it felt much like staying in someone's home. The grandmother peeled fruit for me and made me warm tea. Her son seems to run the place. When I arrived, he showed me lots of tourist brochures and kindly explained things like the bus schedule. On checkout day, she gave me a handmade gift, and the grandfather drove me to the station. That really touched me. Because it's an ordinary family home, you share every space with the family, and there may be a few more things to be mindful of than at a typical hostel. I wish I'd talked more with the hosts, but I arrived late at night and got up late in the morning, perhaps that's why. Haha.

The hosts were very kind, and I was comfortable in their ordinary home. Watching the rugby World Cup together in the living room was a memorable part of my stay.