The host lady is very friendly. Though she doesn't speak English, she kept checking on us and made sure we had everything we needed The dinner portion set was huge, I was very full by the time I finished my meal. The highlight of the dinner meal is the charcoal grilled fish that she had prepared about 1 to 1.5 hours before the dinner served. The vegetables tempura are soooo yummy as well as the vegetable soup. The room is spacious and could easily accommodate a family of 4. The kimono set is provided along with other toiletries. Our bed was made of 2 layers of futton, and I should have asked one more futton to add extra comfort. It was a bit too hard for my back. I would recommend trying the bed when you arrive and checking if you need more layers. Don't wait till you go to bed, as you won't be able to ask the host as she has gone upstairs sleeping. Location wise, only 7 mins walking up from Ainokuraguchi bus stop. You will find the village is very charming and serene, not too crowded by tourists, the reason we chose this location to experience the real Japanese country life. In the morning, around 7.30 ish, there was a sound of gong, hit with longer intervals then followed by intense ringing bells from the Shrine-liked house just behind the house. The toilet is super duper modern equipped with all sensors that allow you to do and finish your business without hassle. The toilet seat opens automatically when you come in the cubicle. Once you get off, it flushes down, and soon after, the seat will close. We have seen this smart toilet before somewhere in Japan, but we weren't expecting to find it in this traditional Japanese home deep into the highlands. Thank you so much for the host lady for providing such a great experience for us.

Stayed in April 2024

The host was so understanding and kind.

Stayed in April 2024

We loved everything!

This 2 night stay was magic and unforgettable: warm and friendly hosts, authentic Japanese traditional house with comfortable facilities, Japanese paper sliding doors, good heating, the perfect toilet, green tea all day long, wearing a Yukata,and last not least: absolutely delicious food!

Stayed in March 2024

I loved everything, unforgettable stay.

Warm and friendly welcoming (both our hosts were lovely to us), spending the night in a tradicional Japanese home, the best toilet facilities in my entire trip, good heating, delicious homemade meals!

Stayed in March 2024

None

Great hospitality. Breakfast and dinner were specially prepared by the host. It was a pleasant surprise to see a warmed water bottle on the futon. It definitely kept us warm during our sleep.

Stayed in February 2024

The house is in a beautiful peaceful little village with magnificent mountain scenery. The landlady was nice. The Japanese-style dinner and breakfast were delicious.

Stayed in February 2024

The old lady who takes care care of the inn is really sweet and nice. My gf said she felt like a grandchild getting cared for by a grandma.

Stayed in February 2024

Love the cozy minshuku, 100%stay in the snow wonderland. Good service and best home cook ever throughout my Japan trip.

Stayed in December 2023

Host provides very good service. You can order local sake with dinner. Ainokura is a small charming village with its own unique culture.

Stayed in December 2023

Everything about this stay was perfect! It was the highlight of our trip to Japan. The host was friendly and kind, the house was spotlessly clean and the food was delicious! It snowed overnight and our host insisted on driving us to the bus stop which was so kind I would definitely recommend!

Stayed in December 2023

N/a

Lovely stay in a traditional old house in UNESCO Heritage-listed Ainokura. Amazing dinner, amazing breakfast, hot green tea always available, a yukata to wear in the house. Loved the atmosphere of this traditional property, and I had my best sleep of my Japan trip - very comfy mattress! Place is kept warm by the heaters. Loved everything about it and recommending everyone to stay here! Great value for money as well. Friendly hosts, while with limited English they make the stay very comfortable. There is even a warm small spa bath in the bathroom, do yourself a favor and use it especially on a chilly day! Everything was great.

Stayed in November 2023

Nothing

Clean comfortable very traditional and beautiful

Stayed in November 2023

Nothing (:

We loved the traditional property and very nice land lady. She took the time to learn some English and it’s like coming home to a nice mom that cooks for you. We loved the surroundings too as it is licentie leave the hustle and bustle from the city behind, highly recommend!

Stayed in November 2023

The walls are super thin and we could hear the other gusts snoring the entire night

The host is really nice and welcoming, the dinner is great

Stayed in September 2023

An idyllic setting in the mountains, a unique and traditional experience with picturesque views, and a splendid host who makes fabulous meals.

Stayed in September 2023

old traditional house

Stayed in May 2023

Nothing!

Beautiful rooms, beautiful village, very sweet hosts even if no English spoken, very sweet attentions in our room, very well slept

Stayed in April 2023

nothing

Everything is perfect! - nothing to complaint about the location, it's located in the rural gassho-zukuri village - hostess is super friendly to share information about the village - I can choose my dinner and breakfast time as I'm the only guest at that night. I enjoy the entire house. - traditional and delicious meal (I love the tofu) - cozy and clean - tourist information in the common area

Stayed in February 2023

Not a single negative thing about this place.

Everything about this traditional house is excellent! The hostess was very kind and helpful. Bath was very relaxing. Dinner and breakfast were very delicious!

Stayed in April 2023

Whilst the country Japanese food like oden may not be to every foreigners liking, there are plentiful kaiseki dishes so even my fussy daughter had enough to eat. Its an authentic home so the shijori screens between the guest rooms will let light/noise from other guests through, so you need to be considerate of others.

We really loved our stay here! Our hostess was darling and her home a charming country stay. It was a lovely treat to discover the hot bath tub to use after showering for a somewhat Onsen-like experience. The fish cooking around the fire, the hot water bottles and kerosene heaters really take you out of modern life. The futons were the most comfortable we slept on in two trips to Japan. The silence of Ainokura at night magical! We arrived by bus, it was just a short walk from the highway to the village. As we arrived just before 3 from Kanazawa we could check in and explore at our leisure enjoying just birdsong and rushing water.

Stayed in April 2023

everything are nice

though location is not so convenient, the view of this small village is very nice... especially with a bit of snow around the village. This place also very quiet, which is something different for us compare to Kyoto and Osaka.

Stayed in March 2023

We slept in a room adjacent to the two other groups with thin walls between us - I slept fine but my wife mentioned four people snoring in unison, myself included. We were originally turned off by the idea of a shared bathroom, but it wasn't bad at all.

Staying in a farmhouse in Japan was a new experience for us. There were many things outside our comfort level, such as the dinner and breakfast, futons. Japanese style bath, but we expected it and embraced it. Our host, Hiromi, was veey friendly and works hard. She and her husband have owned the house for 40 years. There were two other groups of people starting there also, a Japanese couple and a young foursome from Singapore. It was fun enjoying their company and sharing sake. The village is very peaceful after hours.

Stayed in March 2023

nothing really

love the unique experience...hostess is great...peaceful place

Stayed in March 2023

nice house owner and traditional food very good

Stayed in March 2023