Minsyuku Katsuya

After a long day cycling, I just wanted to shower and change before heading to the ATM. The owner insisted I pay first, which was fair enough, but then charged an extra service tax on top of the Booking.com amount. I paid it because I wanted a shower, then waited another ten minutes while he wrote a new invoice for the Booking.com price. After that, he spent twenty minutes explaining which slippers went where. He showed me the shower and wanted me to use it right away, but wouldn't let me take my bag with clean clothes and toiletries, and only offered a small towel that I couldn't keep wrapped around me. I gave up, got my money back, and left. It was an awful experience; the guy was a nightmare.

The koi pond is tiny but incredible, with lush greenery, neatly trimmed trees, and big, happy-looking fish. I paid under $30 USD for a cozy room of my own, and the owner was really nice. There were plenty of blankets and the bedding was clean; the tatami felt good underfoot. Big windows let the ocean breeze in while I lay in bed. The beach is only about 100 feet away, so I didn't bother with the TV or air conditioner. There's also a hot tub fed by real hot spring water. It's not the most modern place, but for the price it's absolutely worth it. Time for bed.

The host was super nice, and the other guests were respectful. I found the place on airbnb. It's a very cheap, simple spot with futon rooms, comfortable enough for a night's rest and just a short walk from the main beach. There's also a bath area to use, though I think the hours may be limited. The host was happy for me to take the bath towels to the beach, which was nice.

A no-frills Japanese-style inn for budget travelers, with free Wi-Fi and bicycles you can use. It's very close to the beach, bus stop, and nightlife. The rooms are clean, and there's a lovely indoor garden with a koi pond full of huge fish. The common areas are quite smoky, though.