Ryokan in Kitamuro District

"The onsen was just okay. I anticipated much better. The room was fine. What really bothered us was that they said that reservations made on Expedia do not support making a reservation for dinner. And, such reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Thus, they would not serve us dinner. The ryokan (a hotel) is way up a hill. They have a shuttle bus but they will only provide a trip to and from the Kumano-Shi station before and after check in. So, we had to take a taxi to go to a restaurant for dinner and for the return. The cost isn’t high but it all adds up. So, we were disappointed."

"If you are looking for a traditional Japanese guest house, look no further than Asahikan. This was one of the most authentic and memorable stays of my trip to Japan. This historic house is approximately 150 years old and is run by the 6th-generation owner. It has been meticulously maintained, with beautiful traditional decoration and exceptional cleanliness throughout. The location is in Kawakami Village, about a 30–40 minute drive from Yamato-Kamiichi Station, which makes it very quiet and peaceful. Transportation requires a bit of planning, especially on Sundays when there is no public bus service. I took a taxi to reach the property, and on my return the owner kindly arranged a taxi for me, which made everything very smooth. The room was very well prepared, and staying in a tatami room while wearing yukata truly added to the experience. The staff were warm, welcoming, and attentive. The highlight was the meals. Both dinner and breakfast were carefully prepared using fresh local ingredients, including river fish and wild boar. The presentation and quality made it a true cultural experience. Overall, I highly recommend Asahikan to anyone looking for a genuine and peaceful traditional Japanese stay."