Hotel 2-Star di Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan

"The rooms had all the essentials and I really liked the small onsen. The only issue was the instability of the Wi-Fi which kept dropping off even after staff helped me connect to a new one. I came here during summer so I cannot comment on insulation during winter as you’re affectively sleeping in a container."

"How to start to describe Kuju No Kura It was such a special experience. Four days that felt like a great lifetime! Watanabe is so easy going, chilled and helpful. He solves problems and makes sure your travel is smooth. But besides that, he wonders you with all the incredible things that are to do around! In my first day I was ENCHANTED with sunset, but the sun was setting behind some trees, and then Watanabe took me to chase the best spot to see it! He was driving like speed racer through the mountains and we went to an observatory that is gorgeous and really closeby by foot too, and then he showed me my favorite spot, the hill next to his house where the deers live and the sun shows his best splendor when saying goodbye for the day! I'm going to really miss my time there. Waking up for sunrise ( right outside the door), followed by a good warm breakfast with great tea. Although his house is far from shops he was always asking if I wanted to go to a market.. there were so many opportunities to buy things if I needed. But I had everything I needed since day one. And I recommend you to do that, get bread, egg, cheese and fruit for breakfast and enjoy early slow mornings. Everyday the mountains were different! There are three paths to get to his house. The first is the one he does by car, it's great to go down from his house to town, but you should only go up in case you are practicing resistance to get to the avengers team or the military, REALLY steep! The second one is a continuation of the path to ichikoi onsen, there's only two steep short parts. And the third, and my favorite, is the path to the onsens that are a bit far from town, like yamamizuki or wakata ( both are only open from 10-3pm, beware). I really liked hozantei as well. This path is great to go to his house, go to town, go to these other onsens or go even farther to explore the mountains and rock formations. I didn't go back at night because I wanted to see the sunset with my deer friends everyday, but I believe it would be super ok, there are no dangerous animals in the forest, no dogs or bears. There's lots of indications and it's paved. On a clear full moon it would be a treat to walk home!!! Just take a head lamp (he has it as well) and enjoy! I was lucky to be there in their annual event of Noyaki- burning the fields. It was IMPRESSIVE, and the next day everywhere was covered in ashes, and the next day everything was covered in snow! WOW! I thought my trip was going to be all about onsens (in 6 days - I've stayed two nights in town before moving to Watanabe's Sanctuary of Wellbeing- i've been to 15 onsens in total!) but it was much more! I wish I had stayed more days! Also Watanabe thought me a lot of words in Japanese!! Arigato, Watanabe!!!! Yoi ichiniti o!!!"