Hatago Masara - Vacation STAY 30108v

From the tatami room upstairs, we had amazing views across a valley full of clouds, and the futon was comfy. This little inn is handy for Kumano Kodo hiking and sits next to Takahara Jinjya. It’s run by a lovely, charming young Japanese-French family. I wish I’d had a drink on their balcony.

Masa and Sara were lovely, genuine hosts, and it felt like a privilege to be welcomed into their small family home. The room was spacious and spotless, with a comfortable Japanese-style bed, especially after some pretty rough beds elsewhere. The views were awesome, too. We ate generous, delicious meals prepared while we watched from the dining room, along with the few other guests. Masa also had draft beer on tap, which felt like magic after a day of hiking. I had a bit of a crisis when I needed replacement boots at short notice. Size 11 isn’t common or easy to find in Japan, but Masa and Sara took on the problem and relieved all my anxiety about it delaying our onward journey. I wouldn’t recommend needing that kind of help, though. Check your kit carefully before setting out on the Kumano Kodo, as it’s tough on hiking shoes!

Inside, this old traditional house has been renovated beautifully. The boutique place opened in March 2020 and has two rooms, one with Japanese tatami and the other with Western beds. A lovely Japanese owner and his French wife run it. The sukiyaki was awesome, and you can also try handmade French dishes. Highly recommended.

Sara and Masa made us feel at home from the start. Their French-Japanese hospitality, plus the bonus of fluent English, went beyond what we expected. We felt warmly welcomed as a family from our background and appreciated that the place is LGBTQ+ friendly. The food was wonderful, and the accommodation spotless and comforting. We had homemade plum wine, salad, onion soup, lasagne, a family recipe French stew, chocolate sundae, and Japanese mackerel for breakfast. What a beautiful first stop on the Kumano Kodo trail. We’re very grateful to Sara and Masa.