Minshuku Nicoichi

We spent three nights here and loved the relaxed atmosphere. The hosts were amazing, with great cooking, useful suggestions, and a friendly manner. Since the hotel is away from the port towns, it was lovely for stargazing, and there are several onsens nearby. We had a rental car, with parking a few meters away. We’d gladly stay here again on our next trip.

The meals and host Take-san were the highlights of our three-night stay. The hosts cook on-site, serving an amazing multi-course dinner and delicious breakfast, and Take-san speaks excellent English. Each day we got advice on hikes, other activities, and the weather. It’s a small guesthouse with four rooms opening onto a shared area. The rooms are sizable, with comfortable futon beds on the floor. The toilet and bathroom are shared, but we never had to wait. It’s simple accommodation in a beautiful part of the island’s south, with some nice local onsens nearby. A rental car is recommended for getting around and reaching popular hikes, which can be a bit of a drive. We had a fantastic stay and highly recommend it.

The meals and hospitality were both 5/5, the facilities 4/5, and the price for the meals and services 5/5. I stayed for four nights in October, drawn by the high ratings for food, and they were right. Dinner and breakfast were beautifully arranged on the plates, and the owner explained each dish. The family atmosphere and conversations with the owner’s family made the meals especially enjoyable. They also helped me put together an itinerary for Yakushima. My room was simple and tidy. The bathroom was spacious, smelled pleasantly of wood, and was cleaned after each guest used it. Only one group can use it at a time, so you can have a private bath with your family or on your own. There’s one shower toilet. I also appreciated being able to do laundry on-site, with the washer and dryer costing 200 yen each. I’ll stay here again on my next visit to Yakushima.

Even though my stay at Nicoichi was brief, I found a real sense of calm there. Take and Tomoko are caring hosts who take hospitality seriously. They shared plenty of local recommendations, drove me to the Onsen, and served meals that felt restaurant quality. I can’t express how much I appreciated it.