Makiya

This place feels like stepping into another time, and it’s part of the Setouchi Triennale experience in its own right. The hotel has been kept in its Showa-era style for more than 60 years, ever since the current owner’s father established it. I really appreciate the care that’s gone into preserving it. The couple running it were incredibly kind. The owner went to primary school in Changhua, Taiwan, and returned to Japan after the war. He also spent some of his own primary school years in Taiwan, and hearing him talk about his life there was an honor. He seemed genuinely happy to see Taiwanese visitors. His wife even walked us to the harbor. If you’re into Yasujiro Ozu or want to experience a 60-year-old Showa atmosphere, you should come. It really is like living in history, and the hotel itself is part of the Setouchi Art Festival exhibition.

I’ve never stayed at a worse inn. It was cramped, dirty, and creepy, with a moldy smell and strange stains on the ceiling. Honestly, I’d rather sleep outside than stay there again.

The couple are lovely and kind, though the house itself is a bit run-down.