Guesthouse Shitanoe

It’s a nice place to rest for the night while doing the Kumano. You’re mostly left to yourself once the owner leaves. He was very nice, but since we can’t read Japanese, he could have helped us with the heating before he went. We figured it out ourselves. Dinner was a taste bento box, and breakfast and the lunch box looked plentiful, with lots of rice. I did miss having a drink of some kind with either meal. It’s a short walk to Hongu to continue on.

Friendly host, and a nice location with good cooking and lounging facilities. There’s good access to the public bus for continuing along Kumano Kodo, if that’s what you’re doing. Recommended.

The owner contacted us by email right away to ask when we’d arrive, and shared their LINE contact too. We were a little late, but could reach them straight away, and they kindly told us to be careful on the way. Sorry to have kept you waiting, and thank you so much. It was the last weekend in February, just as Sennin-buro, a type of bath, was closing. The weather looked good, so we decided to go. Everywhere seemed booked for the three-day weekend, and we were about to give up when we found this place on Rakuten Travel. We were so happy to get a reservation. The whole house was ours, and it was very spacious, with a kitchen and even a kotatsu, a heated table. The futon in the second-floor bedroom was comfortable. It was hard to keep the big place warm, so we relaxed by the kotatsu instead. The owner was friendly and kind, and recommended nearby facilities. Michi-no-Eki Hongu, with a great selection of food, is within walking distance. The location was incredibly convenient for Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine and Sennin-buro. I had a very relaxing stay. Thank you.

For a large group or locals after a country house to relax in, this could be ideal. But it wasn’t the best fit for the Kumano Kodo, as there aren’t suitable truck transport options. A few things to know if you’re doing the trail: it’s 2.5 km from the starting point, and the uphill climb adds about an hour. The only supermarket is a three-minute walk away and closes at 6:30 pm. There’s practically nothing to do, and you’ll have the house to yourself.