Experiencing Traditional Life Style Inn Kajiya Iya Romantei

This is a tough one. Shino-San is clearly a lovely man, with great intentions. The sake cave is amazing and he's funny and sweet and generally a good host. The Iya Valley is beautiful.

This accommodation is a mess. The biggest issue is that there is no A/C. That's a huge issue when it's 35-40C outside, as it was when we visited. The other problem is that things are generally very unclean and disorganized. The garden is totally overgrown and, while the main room is fairly clean, there is a very strong smell of mold and mildew. The kitchen is, frankly, disgusting, and the toilet and bathroom are both dated and in need of a lot of cleaning. We basically didn't sleep and had to check out after one night.

Everything! (Except that toilet)

Toilet

Absolutely amazing host, Shin-San. He took care of us every day, he showed us all interesting places, well known and secret. We enjoyed every moment of our three days in his house. His sake collection is amazing and we really appreciate the every night sake tasting!

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Unique experience in the magical Iya valley - Shino-san has made the stay unforgettable! The house is very traditional and lovingly furnished, with a fantastic view over the valley. Shino-san is a fantastic cook and his sake collection defies descriptions. Lots of things to see in the surrounding area. Great immersion into the Japanese lifestyle and culture. Thank you Shino-san for your hospitality!!!

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Great traditional lifestyle experience in a beautiful valley. Shino san is an amazing host who really makes you feel welcome at his home. Can't recommend it enough unless you are bothered by things that come with old countryside living like cold rooms and manual flushing toilets but to me those were just part of the experience.

Shino-san’s home is one of the most fascinating and gorgeous places I’ve ever stayed. The wood fired hot tub, the traditional Japanese hearth, the view, the decor and the location are all wonderful.

Shino-san is an exceptional host that has made great pains to ensure that my short stay in Iya Valley was a wonderful one, starting from the pick-up at JR Oboke Station, explaining the proposed routing/plan ahead of time before starting, and showing the various sightseeing points around Oboke and Iya Valley, such as Mount Tsurugi, Nagoro Scarecrow Village and Oku-Iya Kazurabashi Bridges. As a solo traveller reliant on just public transportation/JR pass, you need not worry about transportation issues as Shino-san is more than willing to guide you around during the day (for a token gas fee which is well worth, given the difficulties in navigating the single-lane roads along the valley). Food wise, I was treated to a variety of local cuisine that was fashioned by Shino-san, including grilled chicken. For the two nights that I stayed, I was treated to a variety of food and ended up very sated and contented. There is also a sake room that you can sample and try (for the small cost of a new bottle). Room wise, it was definitely more than adequate with comfortable bedding and a spacious room, with heaters/stoves available for me to keep warm during late autumn [and air conditioning during the summer periods]. While the toilets are rudimentary in the form of a latrine, I think it is entirely understandable since the inn is deep within the mountainside thus sanitation piping is not feasible. Just mind the off-smell. There is a open-air rotenburo bath that overlooks Iya Valley which is also a unique experience worth trying. Overall, I would highly recommend this inn to any tourist that could spare at least 2 nights to explore what Iya Valley and Oboke has to offer. It is a unique and memorable experience that many other tourists will never be able to experience in major metropolitan cities such as Tokyo or Osaka.

Wonderful host who took care of most of our needs. Food and hospitality were good. Had the chance to try chopping wood and starting fires for the rice and bath.

Nothing bad. Just be prepared for the real traditional lifestyle experience eg. Old styled toilets with manual flushing, colder rooms with mobile heaters and electric mats, insects sharing the space.

Shino-san was a fabulous host . Attentive helpful and funny . It was a great insight into life of old Japan . We had lots of fun as well

It was very rustic but that was okay . There was nothing we disliked