Sakainoma Kuma

The location wasn't great for getting around. Osaka CBD is at least an hour away, and Kansai airport is about an hour away too, so I wouldn't recommend staying here if the city center is your destination. The place itself was nice enough and felt pretty authentic. The sleeping mats weren't very soft, though, so be ready to sleep on the floor. I didn't find that very comfortable. Breakfast was okayish.

I stayed two nights in the annex at the back. It was quiet and easy to relax in, and the renovated shower and toilet were clean. The living room has an early Showa-period feel, and the wooden lattice on the shoji door just inside the entrance is a detail you hardly see anymore. The breakfast cafe's rolled omelet bagel sandwich was delicious. The tatami, though, had black stains, and with bamboo blinds and a wall outside the veranda window, the room didn't get much natural light. If the room across the hall is empty, it might help to raise the blinds. Old houses collect dust in corners of the wooden floors and around shoji frames, so I wish they'd been a bit more thorough with the cleaning.

We had lunch with friends, and everything tasted great, including the pound cake we had for dessert. The place has a nostalgic, traditional townhouse atmosphere. There's also a charming Japanese-style room behind the restaurant where you can stay overnight.

I'd been curious about this restaurant for a while. It's stylish and really nice, with tasty food and a relaxed atmosphere. 👍