Tokunoshima Guest House Minatoya

Really nice hospitality.

I'd seen reviews calling the owner laid-back, and that turned out to be true. Soon after I arrived, he offered to take me to a tourist spot and asked me to wait 30 minutes. I was fine with that, but then he took me shopping for his own business, stopped at a construction site to deliver gifts, and talked up his new vacation home. It all took so long that he was driving around 100 km/h by the end, saying, "Wasn't that fun?" I never got to see the tourist spot. Going at your own pace is one thing, but not keeping a promise is wrong. I spent my time on the island feeling frustrated about this accommodation, and decided I would never return to Tokunoshima. I regret not choosing another place, even if it cost a little more. One side note: on the phone I was told, "The island is full of construction, so we can't get a room." When I called somewhere else afterward, they said they had availability the whole time.

The room was spacious and clean, and cost 5,000 yen. I was quietly pleased they had nail clippers. The owner was friendly and seemed considerate, and he took us on a free drive the first day. We had a lot of fun seeing bullfighting practice that evening, the ocean, and his campsite. Still, there were some sad moments, and if you want to sightsee on your own schedule or have a fixed itinerary, this may not suit you. We got a ride from the port but weren't taken back. I found it a little lonely having to do things at his pace, and sometimes it was hard to tell what he really meant. He said he had specially arranged a room because there were no vacancies, but later I heard there actually were vacancies. Dinner with all-you-can-drink was offered for 2,000 yen. I declined several times, saying I was traveling and didn't have the money, but he insisted, "They'll serve you decent food, and you'll regret it," so I agreed. The homemade omelet and stir-fried vegetables were tasty; the other dishes were just two supermarket side dishes. The drinks included three beers and one glass of shochu, but after an hour and a half the owner asked us to return to our room because he had a separate conversation with the other guests. He also interrupted me talking with another guest at dinner. As I was going up the stairs, I heard him say, "He's leaving tomorrow, so it's fine." (Tears.) Before dinner he showed me another beer to drink, but it turned out to be low-malt beer, maybe. There was a bathroom accessible from the dining area, so I planned to shower the next day. Around 8:00 in the morning, after I'd woken up, he said, "I have plans, so please leave by 8:30." I couldn't shower until I came back that afternoon. I borrowed the owner's car during the day. I had to buy personal insurance and return it with a full tank. The tank was half full, with one fuel gauge bar remaining, and it cost about 3,500 yen to fill up. That seemed about the same as, or a little cheaper than, a budget rental car company. I visited while traveling around Japan, and try to write honest reviews! -------------------- Instagram / Twitter @discover_n2022 --------------------

The owner is a caring, talkative local man, and one of the island's few tour guides. He has spent a long time living on the mainland and knows a lot. Our tour included whales, fighting bulls, and more. If you enjoy listening to stories, you might like staying here, but it's probably not for someone who wants quiet. His words, "If you have passion, people will follow. People can't leave a passionate person alone," really stayed with me. I'll use his services again next time I'm in Tokunoshima.