Guesthouse Kumano

I booked because the location, price, and reviews looked excellent. But when I explained my disability, they gave me honest advice about where would be best for my well-being and offered a free cancellation even on the last day. They were thoughtful and very responsive. I really appreciated it.

We only stayed one night, but it was very good value. The room was clean, had no smell at all, and was within walking distance of the station. There were plenty of places to eat nearby. I loved having a fridge in the room for our rice ball from 7-11. The owner kindly stored our luggage free for 4-5 days while we hiked the Kumano Kodo. The room light impressed us too, though I don’t know if every room has the same one. It let us adjust the brightness and switch to a night or sleeping ambience. You can hear the nearby railway, but the trains don’t run all night. Not having a room key bothered me a little, though Japan is probably the lowest-crime country.

For anyone hiking the Kumano Kodo, the narrow entrance and foyer make it tricky to take off your boots and maneuver a hiking pack. It’s also easy to hear other guests coming and going, which could be an issue when the place is busy. There’s only one toilet for the whole guesthouse. It wasn’t a problem when I was one of two guests, but it might be during a busy spell. The location is close to Kii Tanabe station and the ajikoji district, just a 2-3 minute walk, so expect cars and train noise. You might also hear rowdy people leaving the late-opening bars. Earplugs are essential. On the plus side, the hosts were great, with English instructions for the guesthouse wifi and other things. My room was spacious and very clean, and I had the whole thing to myself for 2800 yen. A great, affordable place.

We stopped here for a night before hiking. It’s a short walk from kii-tanabe station, simple and no frills. The owner was accommodating and helped us feel relaxed as soon as we arrived.