Pension Catchball

The staff were very kind and looked after us well. The food was delicious, though I think more familiar options would make it easier for families. I understand the place has various challenges because of its history, and I appreciate the work they put into running it. A few more improvements could help bring in more guests. The bath on the rooftop/balcony was exceptional, even if it wasn’t quite an open-air bath. The stairs had a strong smell of animal urine, like dog pee or cat litter, which was unpleasant for me with my sensitive nose. I hope they take steps to deal with it. There was also an air conditioner problem in our first room, but they moved us to another. The indoor bath is very hot, so children should be careful.

We had a very satisfying meal during our one-night stay with two meals included. There was a good variety of hot dishes, and although the seasoning was a little mild, I could adjust it with the condiments on the table. Drinks were reasonably priced, and I ended up ordering a bottle of wine even though I hadn’t planned to drink. The courtyard had gear for playing catch and basketball, which kids would probably enjoy. The owner (?) was warm and welcoming, and the pension had a relaxed, homely feel. The hostel was meticulously clean, including the observation bath. Even in summer, we didn’t run into insects or mold, and there was insect spray in the hallway. I’d seen complaints about cleanliness and the lack of a refrigerator, but neither bothered me. Not having a fridge is common at guesthouses, and a cooler box was enough for us. In a quiet location like this, it makes sense to bring your own drinks and other items, and you need to take your rubbish home with you. Those negative comments probably come from people used to chain hotels and inns. Thank you very much for a relaxing stay.

The outside area was clean and open, but the chairs in the dog run were dirty and unusable. Breakfast was tasty and generous overall, though the portions of jam and margarine for the bread were too small. The staff were friendly, and the large refrigerator was very good. Still, the cleanliness needs much more attention. This felt like a guesthouse, with old, dirty cloth slippers that had been reused. We used the alcohol supplied in the room on them. There were no cups, toothbrushes, or face wash in the room. The pet room didn’t smell, but it felt old. I found lots of ants on the tatami and the box by the kitchen, plus dead insects on the tatami. The glass table beside the bed was dusty. I sprayed disinfectant on the bed but still felt itchy, and the lint roller had hair and dust on it. For two people with breakfast in high season, it was 25,000 yen, plus 2,200 yen for one pet.

There were no amenities or hair dryer in the room, and no vending machines. We had to bring our own food and take all our rubbish with us. I don’t have any pets, but when I booked, there was no mention that the room was pet-friendly. It was, and the smell was terrible.