Our guesthouse is not a modern hotel with the latest facilities or trendy design. Instead, we take pride in the charm of a traditional Japanese home, the warmth of natural materials shaped by time, and our close ties to the local community. We hope our guests will take home a sense of peace and warmth that can only be found here—listening to the sounds of insects at night, the birds at dawn, and feeling the calm air in harmony with nature. While you may notice some inconveniences compared to city hotels, we believe these small imperfections are also part of the unique charm of this place. Our village has only about 300 residents. Long ago, it thrived as a post town along the historic Hyuga Road, but today most of the younger generation has moved to the cities, leaving behind a quiet community of mostly elders. Still, we believe the spiritual power of this land has never changed, and we opened our guesthouse to protect and share the spirit of this special place. The area is surrounded by sacred and historical sites. Within a 15-minute drive you can find Gion Shrine and Myoken Shrine, said to offer water from 400 million years ago. Heitate Shrine, one of the most important in the region, is just 3 minutes away, and Takachiho Shrine is about 25 minutes by car. There is also a clear river nearby where the god Izanagi is believed to have purified himself, making this truly a “mythical village.” Although the town has been renamed after a regional merger, it was once known as Soyo in Aso District, deeply influenced by the worship of Mt. Aso and the sun deity. This entire area was historically called Takachiho-go, sharing a long cultural tradition. Nearby you will also find small local shops that keep the old spirit alive: a handmade yokan (sweet bean jelly) shop, a tofu maker, a famous butcher, a popular donut shop, a fishmonger selling daily side dishes, and “Yume-ya,” a local restaurant rooted in Japanese tradition. Please note that these shops usually close early in the

Check-in is from 6:00 to 7:00, but we can be flexible. Please consult with us. (Please keep to the check-out time as we will be cleaning the room.) We will not be at the location, so we will contact you the day before or on the day of check-in to inform you of the check-in time and how to enter the room.

Recommended Spots within Walking Distance Jugaad Donuts (highly recommended!) – 4 min walk Yumeya (delicious and reasonably priced meals) – 2 min walk Suematsu Tofu (open from 6 a.m. Take some home for breakfast. Soy sauce is available at the guesthouse. Not a restaurant) – 3 min walk Miyabe Meat Shop (horse sashimi available) – 2 min walk Tariki Fish Shop (also offers side dishes) – 2 min walk Convenience Store (open until 9 p.m., convenient for breakfast) – 2 min walk Mamihara Bridge (great for swimming in summer) – 4 min walk Iwanaga Tea (small but pesticide-free and world-renowned) – 4 min walk Recommended Spots by Car Takachiho Gorge (Amanoiwato Shrine also recommended) – 25 min drive Amanoiwato Shrine – 25 min drive Amanoiwato Hot Spring – 25 min drive Kijiya Hot Spring (small indoor bath, no open-air bath, but excellent water) – 10 min drive Heitate Shrine (our local guardian shrine) – 3 min drive Takamori Station (trolley train & One Piece statue) – 30 min drive Takamori Spring Water Tunnel – 30 min drive Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine – 30 min drive Tsūjun Bridge (national treasure) – 25 min drive Seiwa Bunraku Theater – 10 min drive Unoko Waterfall (hidden gem) – 7 min drive Soyō Gorge (famous for autumn leaves) – 19 min drive Jōsenji Temple (famous for weeping cherry blossoms) – 10 min drive Gion Shrine – 8 min drive Myōken Shrine (“Drops of 400 Million Years”) – 12 min drive