Yadokari Okinawa

It has the feel of staying at your grandma's house. If you're used to nicer hotels, this probably isn't for you, but I found it comfortable and great value. For 2,000 yen, I got a big private room with air conditioning and a TV, plus a large table where I could spread out my bags and relax. I loved the big, fluffy pillows so much I want one at home. There's free use of the washing machine, hangers in the room, and detergent, though you'll need a laundry net. You can cook in the kitchen if you shop first, and there's a hot water dispenser. I couldn't find a convenience store nearby. Smoking is allowed in the kitchen, and if you're lucky the owner might share a glass of awamori while you sit there and tell some interesting stories. Parking is available, but the sign is small and could be hard to spot at night, so remember what the outside looks like. The owner said I could leave my luggage in the room until around noon after check-out, which is handy if you're going diving. They're friendly, and I found the place comfortable.

The owner seemed laid-back, and I noticed there was a regular guest who really liked the place. It reminded me that different people look for different things in a stay. For me, though, the smell and noise were enough to make it hard to sleep. The room was musty, and there was a sour odor. I had to shut the screened window and run the fan. Maybe I'm especially sensitive to smells and sounds, but it bothered me a lot. I even thought about sleeping on a garden chair, then gave up because of the mosquitoes. I wondered if camping with a mosquito net or tent might be more fun in Okinawa in September, but I went back inside and left first thing at sunrise. This is a place for people focused on keeping costs down. As others have said, you get a private room with air conditioning for 2000 yen, and you can use the shower. If cleanliness matters most to you, I don't think it's a good fit. The building looks old and unappealing, and the kitchen and entrance were messy and poorly kept. Those are things a guesthouse should improve.

We stayed here because our planned trip brought us to the area at dusk. There aren't many places to stay nearby, and it's close to Cape Zanpa and Goten Main Store (Yomiya Main Store). The lanes are narrow and the place can be hard to find, but Google Maps got us there. On the way between Cape Zanpa and Goten Main Store (Yomiya Main Store), there's a beach where you can swim for free, and the sunset is amazing. The photos show that the room has been renovated, but my stay was before that. It was super cheap. A family of four could stay in a Japanese-style house with 8 people without paying NTD 1,000! It was a bit shabby overall, but the bathroom had plenty of hot water and was comfortable enough.

One word: awful. The photos made the place look nice, but only the outside seemed that way, and I suspect it wasn't cleaned often. I thought about asking for advice since they said they supported people moving to Okinawa, but there was only one boy who looked about middle-school age, so I didn't get a chance. The next morning I paid the man who seemed to be the owner, and he drove off right away. Then the laundry came out covered in dust and was even dirtier than before.