Okawachiyama LODGE - Village of the Secret Kilns!

Amazing location, very warm ambience and plenty of space.

Okawachiyama LODGE was a dream. The location is a jewel of Japanese history and tradition, but the lodge made our visit feel like home for our short stay. While keeping the original feel of a classical, Japanese house, Okawachiyama LODGE is decorated with comfort, jazz, and eclectic taste. Each chair and sofa has its own unique niche. It's homely, nostalgic, restful, and unique. The owner could not have been more kind. He was there to receive us, help with our bags, and give us some pointers on where to roam in the valley.

There is no place in the small valley to shop for food. But the owner communicates and informs all of his guests personally and well in advance. We arrived prepared with ingredients and had a wonderful evening cooking and dining in at the LODGE.

The Lodge was a wonderful place to spend a night in Imari. It's full of character and close to all of the kilns and shops making it easy to explore. Our host greeted us and gave us some tips for onsen and restaurants. There was also a great info book about the house, which was very useful as some of light switches are in funky spots. We really enjoyed our stay here.

The Lodge has a lovely open plan downstairs area, our host warned us that because it was March is might get chilly. The property had plenty of heaters for us to use and clear instructions. It took a little while to warm up, so if you travel here in winter make sure to have thick socks.

Fantastic location in the hills just above Imari, tiny historical town that goes to bed early! Great place to relax, the lodge has plenty of space, a very cosy feel and a small kitchen to use if needed.

The hosts are very friendly and greeted me with helpful advice and information to ensure a great stay. The house is beautifully decorated, clean, and comfortable throughout.

The location was superb tucked away in a leafy green village full of artisans and old brick kiln chimneys with a surprise around every corner we would like to re-visit this fine gem.

- - -

It was a great experience to stay the night in the middle of this remote village and feel and enjoy the creativity and calmness in the air. I felt very welcome at the Lodge. The place is very comfortable and homely and there is a lot of space. I recommend staying here to anybody interested in pottery and willing to take the time to explore. I travelled here using public transport, which was no issue. Additionally the hosts are very kind and knowledgeable – I enjoyed chatting with them and getting to know their story and more about the region. Additionally Gilles introduced me to one of the master potters of the village who kindly gave me a tour of his workshops. This made my stay unforgettable!

We loved waking up in the villiage and,having the place to ourselves. We loved being able to explore and enjoy all the ceramics shops and have some interaction with the locals. We loved the warm and somewhat bohemian atmosphere of the house and the air conditioned tefuge from the heat.

As an elderly couple, the only thing that was a little problematic for me was the distance between toiet and bedroom, with steep stairs in beetween.