Minshuku Kaifu

We were welcomed by friendly staff also. Our room and bathroom were clean and comfortable. Yes, the place is a bit tired, but the staff and food certainly made up for it. We are used to camping whilst hiking, so being able to sleep in a warm room, have a hot shower and bath, watch the Sumo, eat a fabulous Japanese dinner washed down with a beer is just heaven.

Welcoming staff/owners but tired facility. This place is highlighted with a star in the Shikoku Japan Route Guide. I find that a little surprising. I guess it's because of the warm welcome. I found the staff to be very friendly. They told me all about the area and they were not put out when I decided that I would go out for dinner rather than having the bento that I had asked them to order for me.

I am torn between giving it a three-star or four-star rating, because the facilities are quite tired. It appears that this inn has gone through various changes over the last forty years or so - from "Hotel Kaifu," to "Mishuku Kaifu," etc. Apparently it used to have a sauna and a restaurant, but today it is just offering basic accommodation. The old tatami rooms have soft foam tiles laid over the tatami mats, which must be worn out. There are bunk beds now, instead of futons. That said, the aircon worked well. The bathroom was fine. It was clean and there were no moldy smells (which sadly I have experienced a couple of times already in other inns on the trail).