The host of this house is so kind ppl..he have go to JR station for pick up I and my mom..the house is amazing and with more than 100 years history..nice garden in the middle of house..the room is very good style and clear..two min walk to the JR station..very good location..I will be back..

Our host is a nice guy, speak very good English, it helps us a lot in the communication. we love the room and the house, clean, tidy, good facility. we cooked almost everyday for ourselves, good location, so convinient, there was a supermarket just in front of the house, JR Oji station was only 3-5 minutes walk, good host, quiet and nice. thank you Mr. Shingo.

The host is kind and it is really close to the JR station!

It was nice to see an old traditional house from the inside.

I stayed here for 3 nights. This place is amazing, just like in the movie scene. Everything looks very traditional and the garden in the middle is so cooling. There's a 24 hour supermarket right at the doorstep, at 9:30pm, you can get half priced Onigiri at around 40yen each! The room is very spacious for Japan standard, aircon and water heater working just fine. Shingo is a very courteous host. Please inquire about the Kimono/Yukata rental service if you are interested. You will enjoy walking around Nara with it! I will love to be back here again.

It was very clean and the location was great. The train is only one block away. The staff is friendly. The place is peaceful and quiet. The place if very comfortable. I would highly recommend it.

We stayed 2 nights in the yamato room and were very comfortable. Simon house is just 3 minutes walk from the train station - Oji station so it is very convenient. and there is also a Seiyu departmental store next to the station. the futon was very comfortable and Simon provided and extra mattress below the futon. everything was really clean and there are 2 lovely indoor gardens around the house. We enjoy staying there - Thanks!

The Kotone Guesthouse was a lovely tradition Japanese house. Nice stay, but Oji isn't the liveliest of places.

We were very happy to stay here 7 years after first staying in Oji, the house retains its original charm and amenities and is a great example of 'traditional' Japanese early 20th century architecture, retaining its character whilst enhanced with mod cons such as a/c. The location is great in terms of local shops, bars and restaurants as well as the railway station, and yet is quiet and peaceful.

If you are planning to visit Nara, this is definitely the place to stay. The most gorgeous Japanese house, helpful and super friendly hosts, could not be closer to the station and there is a 24 hr super market just steps away. We were super happy to stay there, the only regret is we wish we could've stayed for longer.

Simon is great, quick in replying mails and question, Shingo is very good, provided great recommendation on our trip to Nara, managed to stay in 105 years old Japanese traditional house, very comfy and pleasant hospitality. oh i forgot, nice smoking area too... p/s: our son forgot to bring his iPad after we depart from Kotone, we had to take the train back to Oji to pick up his iPad, Shingo went up all his way to walk to the train station and return back the iPad to my son, he is so happy, and safe our walk back to Kotone. Thank you again and well done Shingo.

The house is exactly the same as it is shown in the pictures. The location is great, only 2 mins walk from JR station with restaurants and supermarket in the neighborhood. The owner is a great English speaker and extremely helpful. Recommend this place to everyone!

The place is really nice, as described it is a large house in the traditional Japanese stile. The house is located some 100 meters or so from the train station and is very easy to find. Just some 15 minutes from Nara and some more than an hour from Kyoto, both by train. The place was really clean and nice. I only meet Simon for half an hour during the night but Shingo is always available and he is really helpful for any question and request. If you go, try the Japanese restaurant in the corner. Foot was nice but the ambient was really fun. A traditional place full of locals. Great place and definitely great value Eugenio

Location-wise, Guesthouse Kotone is perfect: just ~40 minutes away from Osaka and ~20 minutes from Nara by train. The space is beautiful, especially the garden! There was a kitchen which guests can use, and also complimentary tea and coffee. A towel, shampoo and body wash are all provided. The shower was always kept very clean. The heating in the room wasn't as strong as I would've liked, but that's a small niggle. I would return to stay. :)

The GuestHouse Kotone is a lovely respite outside of Kyoto, and just outside of Nara. During a week long vacation in Japan, staying here for two nights was just the break from the lights and hustle of Tokyo we needed. We had a great day at Nara just a 15 minute train ride away, which holds 8 World Heritage Sights with amazing temples and lovely traditional japanese shops and homes. The guesthouse itself is right outside the train station at Oji, which is convenient, and it was very easy to travel to Kyoto after our stay. The host is very welcoming and the home is lovely lovely lovely. Highly recommended if you have a few days around Kyoto!

Shingo and Simon are good host,the house is amazing,very old traditional japanese house,my room is cozy and clean tatami room,too beautiful to describe!It looks better than pictrues,high recommend!If I come to NaraI will choose here,it's very close to Oji JR station,you know JR line is cheapest than subway and bus。Thanks again。

It was a pleasant experience. I had the room to myself so it was a nice change in pace, but I doubt this is common. Everything was clean from washrooms to common room to the beds. The surrounding had everything you needed as there is a supermarket a few steps away and the station is close by as well. Overall a lovely experience in a 105 year old home.

The house has old typical Japan-style design. It is a warm and intimate place to live. You can feel history there.

The location is very convenient and we had a very good experience stayed in such historical & tranditional property. Friendly & responsive owner had us with wonderful time in Osaka! Recommended guesthouse to all!

Simon's place is lovely! It has a beautiful garden and the entrance of the property is just stunning. Would definitely stay here again. It is very close to the station and there are restaurants in the corner that are delicious! Highly recommend Simon's place!

Everything about kotone was amazing, from the free access to the kitchen, to lounging in the living room, and the short walk to the station. Our host Shingo was great at explaing the layout and services provided with kotone. It really felt like home.

I love ur place!!!thanks a lot!

It's truly a awesome traditional Japanese house. The owner here is totally kind and amiable to us. We really enjoy our journey here. Otherwise, the transportation is very convenient to go to Osaka and airport. Beside this house has a 24hr supermarket, it's very good for us to prepare breakfast for next day. We're definitely recommend here to every traveler to Osaka and Nara!!

Check shingo house is an unexpected experience, it is a very traditional Japanese garden homes, suddenly excited. But Wang Temple is a very remote place, with other people speak English may not have access to the outside is no fun, the best is his house, and a very good experience.

Yasuyo is a wonderful host. She and her family are so kind !! The house is beautiful and so is the garden. The house is also very clean and the view fantastic ! Near the house you can visit lovely and very old temples. We were sad to leave Yasuyo and her family. We strongly recommand holidays at Yasuyo's home.

When we first saw Yasuyo's house, we were totally amazed! The traditional Japanese garden and the little house is the one that I expect in my mind! Everything has been arranged. We enjoyed our stay very much!! And wanna say great thanks to Yasuyo! She picked us up at the station, brought us to the 葛城山 and the hot spring, gave us opportunity to have the best すき焼 I have ever had - with 近江牛!in short: Yasuyo is the best host in the world!! We will come back some day absolutely!

Very nice inn photos street, feeling as staying in the old traditional house of Japan, such as coming out like in the movie, I was really impressed the moment you arrive. Starting with Yasuyo's you who have host, he also that had you really not stay overnight in very kind and with even more of Yasuyo's family had been very impressed with the heart and warmth of hospitality. The purpose of our trip, because it was able to spend slowly in a place surrounded by nature, the atmosphere of the town who are around your inn is a very snug mountain and leisurely in that condition also very nice to the temple, and the like are located in close proximity to walk, but I did not have anything checked in advance, it became very fulfilling journey. And I will tell Yasuyo's, it was a tourist, etc. with the help of rental cycle from the nearest station to Asuka. Since Irassha~tsu run a very fine restaurant next to our inn, where he received the most delicious shabu-shabu in life. Civic Center is within walking distance? Or there is a public bath in places like, breakfast and or there is a very lovely cafe called Monchhichi, walk was the neighborhood is also a nice temple. TV and DVD player, tea, and have also sweets such as I have you prepared, and now travel really was very relaxed. Because we like to talk with people, you can kindly to talk not only the form of just a host visitors, point to to be who have a variety of really will use the care was happy more than anything else in fine, I thought that it was good to decide on here your inn. Rather than the usual hotel, is really where you want to recommend to those who want to spend in the laid-back place to enjoy the interaction with the host like a special Oyado! We recommend always also to a friend! I'm really thankyou. Also I want to be taken care of!

Our stay here was an absolutely fantastic experience - the first time with Air BnB for all of us. The house itself is beautiful as can be seen in the pictures, clean and very traditional, almost like the "old Japan" portrayed in films. The living space is huge and there are cooking facilities, a television, DVD player etc. Yasuyo has excellent English and she and her family are so kind, going out of their way to accommodate everyone and provide excellent hospitality. Yasuyo provided directions and methods to get to her place from the airport, as well as offered suggestions of where to visit close by and often picked us up from the train station when it was raining etc. I got a terrible cold the first few days and she even made vegetarian food for me, offered to take me to get medicine and made sure that I had enough blankets etc. She was extremely kind and a gracious host. We really cannot fault staying here, but there are some things to keep in mind depending on your personal preferences and travel choices: The accommodation is in a beautiful residential area but not right in the heart of the city. If you are planning on sightseeing in Nara and/or Ōsaka, it takes about 1.5 hours to get to major sites including train travel and walking time. We slept on futons which were comfortable and warm, but if you have back problems etc then perhaps it might not be super comfortable for you. As it says in the description, the toilet is outside so please keep in mind there are insects from time to time and it is necessary to take a take a torch at night. Also, the shower is in the main house a few steps away so please be courteous and check with Yasuyo regarding shower times. It is a traditional Japanese bathroom where you are expected to sit on a stool and use the removable shower head to wash yourself. You can also bathe in the bathtub if you like. If you are happy with all of this, you should definitely come and stay here! We had the best time in a really authentic Japanese house with lovely hosts. It is by far the best place I've stayed in in Japan, and an incredible price. The garden is absolutely beautiful too! Thank you Yasuyo for an incredible stay! We will be back again!

We were on the road in Japan for 2 and a half months and we want to live a week of rest in a beautiful village. We were delighted with our Yasuyo host and his family, very welcoming, caring, with the icing on the cake a restaurant in their beautiful family time !!!! Before us a beautiful little house in the middle of a Japanese garden, a large living room with kitchen and a traditional room with tatami mats. Located 5 minutes walk from the pool, traditional bathhouse and Taimadera magnificent temple with its sumptuous Garden !!! Our 7 year old boy was too happy to find Tomo the same age, the son of Yasuyo, what luck! We were pampered for a week, she was there to take us on our shopping, walking .... and we even brought small dishes and garden tomatoes !!!!!

The house is on a hillside, perfect view, could be hear the sound of wind, and in the morning, sunshine wake me up. Outside house is a small Japanese style garden just like the pictures. The house is clean and tidy, restroom is outside, I had worry about that before I came, but it's also very clean, no problems at all. Yasuyo is a nice host, and really help us a lot. When we came we had went to wrong train station, we try to walk to the right one, but Yasuyo just tell us stay at where we are, and driving car to pick up us. At all, it's really a dream house for me.:) perfect experience.

The pictures do not do the place justice -it's really beautiful in person. There's a portable heater/ac unit in the room for when things get too uncomfortable, but the weather was perfect so we didn't need it much. That said, their place is a bit far from the station so you will need to take a taxi, but Yasuyo-san will pick you up from the station when you arrive. We didn't want to push it, but the family can bring you to the station if they're free when you plan to leave. Speaking of our host, Yasuyo-san and the rest of her family were super helpful, almost embarrassingly so. There was one time where we ran out of yen (forgot to exchange money) and had difficulty getting home since the nearby taxi didn't accept card, so they not only picked us up but also dropped us off at their wonderful Korean-style BBQ place to eat (where they -do- accept card). Suffice to say, both the yakiniku place and the sukiyaki restaurant they run at the place itself gave us the most sumptuous meals of our brief stay. I would definitely recommend staying here - it's a very tranquil place which fits Nara completely, and it's less than an hour to Osaka from the nearest station.

We enjoyed our time in Yasuyo's home. It is well located to visit Yoshino, an ancient temple is renowned for cherry blossoms and mountain vistas. The local Taimadera temple complex is another ancient site well worth exploring. The various temples have gardens that display peony roses in season. The protective sun parasols over the peonys is a site to see. Yasuyo and her family did everything possible to ensure our stay was a memourable one. Thankyou Yasuyo.

Excellent choice. Clean, calm in a residential area and having all what was necessary for a good stay. Great communication with Eisuke. We gladly visited the bistro recommended by Eisuke in Kashihara - it was a great choice. Everybody was so nice with us, amazing welcome, we were touched. The apartment is near two train stations, very convenient to travel in the area (the furthest station is 10 minute-walk, which is absolutely fine). I highly recommend this place to stay.

Clean and quiet place, close to Yoshino Mount.

Don't stay unless he upgrades the bedding and gets more cutlery

It was comfortable to spend in a clean room! Is idyllic atmosphere was very good in the natural full. We also have saved supermarket in front of the station. I'm really thankful to you!

I had a good time in Kashihara. The apartment is extremely simple, but it serves well. Good place is you want a break and want some tranquility and privacy.

Easy travel to Nara. Facilities was very (URL HIDDEN) that price point, perhaps to be expected. The subway is near but still 15mins walk at least.

Asuka, travel by car to the center of Kashihara, etc., and to those who seek a cost performance is a good accommodation. Car navigation is required. It is very confusing place at night because there is in the residential area. Studio apartment for the facility When use is recommended to the person who is the use of simplistic that only accommodation. (Kitchen, microwave oven, it is better that had been considered as a minimum of equipment, including refrigerators, etc.) desk & chair because there is no to those who want to work, such as a PC in a place to stay is not recommended. Also facilities for you to relax, such as a sofa in the room I think it is better to be improved without any.

Than the last time, the equipment was a comfortable increase.

To be able to experience life in Japan and Japanese traditional houses was a special experience. Please haejusigo you care so friendly shower can be fun even late at night ^^ as a traditional house cool in the summer and good luck.

Small place but really friendly host and giant projector with surround sound which is nice if you want to watch a movie together.

Hisae san made us feel at home. Its like living with your own family... but better. :) place is quiet. The house is very clean, shower is big. Staying there for 2 days wasnt enough, will definitely stay longer on our next visit. Hisae san provided us with everything we need and more. She did drive us to any station we wanted to go to. From there we can go to anywhere we want in nara, kyoto and osaka. Picture is 100% accurate. Places to eat is not a problem since the neighborhood have decent restaurants. Thank you hisae san for being a gracious host and making my first air bnb experience tough to beat. Youve set the bar really high. :) highly recomended 5*

Hisae-san is totally an awesome house host, she fetch me all the way from the station and she is doing the best whatever she could in giving us a impressed experience in Nara, her house was absolutely cozy, tidy and clean, strongly recommend her lovely home for a pleasent stay in Nara, the neighbourhood is simple awesome.

Our trip to Japan was a fantastic experience and we have so much to thank Hisae and her family for. Our first impression was Hisae's house is in a great location. Only 10 minutes walk to the train station. It is a refreshing walk even though Hisae picked us up when we arrived, and always offered us rides to the station. The neighborhood is beautiful. The room spacious, private, and very clean. Hisae provided us with everything we needed to stay. From this location, we could travel to Osaka, Kyoto, of course Nara, and much more. During our stay, we some times spent the night with the family. The experience was warm and memorable. They welcomed us like family members and treated us so. On the last night, we had some drinks in a Japanese bar, shared stories, and enjoyed the night. I have to say, this is my second family in Japan. We always miss them after we got back to the US. If you are looking for a great place to stay, wonderful trip in Japan, and some experience staying with a Japanese family, this is a place for you.

What a lovely experience! Staying with Hisae was truly as described, a warm family experience. She was very welcoming and took us to an izakaya our first night. She was also kind enough to drive us to and from the station. I slept so well when I was there, very peaceful. I would recommend Hisae's home to anyone.

Hisae is a very friendly and helpful person, and her girls are gorgeous. They were very nice to us, they all came to pick us up at the station. She let us try the food she was cooking, called Okonomiyaki :) She taught us some Japanese basics, I hope we won't forget them.. Hisae made a few phone calls to the train station because we were a bit confused about our next trip. She even sent one thing to our next hotel through post, because we have left it in her home. It was really a warm experience, and it was nice to see a Japanese family, even if it was only for 1 night. Thank you for everything!! Best wishes from Hungary

This is my 2nd review. After just a few days of staying from another air bnb location. We felt like going back to family. We will surely go back here again and again. :) take care hisae san. We will surely miss ur family. :)

My stay in Hisae home was better than what I imagined! As my first experience with airbnb, I can say it was a great success! The description, in profile, is an exact match with reality. The house is located in a beautiful and quiet neighborhood. It is about fifteen minutes walk from the nearest train station, but Hisae had the kindness and courtesy with pigainofernei to another station, where could I use my card JR. In addition, many times he consulted travel guides to inform me what is the most remarkable attractions that would be worthwhile to visit. It should be mentioned that several times, I noted the times of the trains and the shorter routes for my trips! Her children and her mother was polite and very sweet towards me. Actually, my overall experience at home only with positive words can be described and undoubtedly was a "warm family experience", give me a real insight into the country. I highly recommend to anyone wishing to spend some days with a very "cozy" and friendly family, choose the home of Hisae! I thank you from my heart that gave me wonderful moments with fun and making it possible that my stay is enjoyable!

The house is quite good, big, clean and comfortable! Although traffic is not easy, but the landlord every time to the station to meet us back home. And hisae too nice, and we chat together late into the night, became good friends. We know each other more through their respective countries, she carefully patience to help us find the car lines, design travel plans take us to the supermarket, go to the restaurant, to help us through the most difficult moments of the early foreign land. Her two lovely daughters and we became good friends! This line is very fortunate to know hisae, we meet you next year!

Megumi's house is definetely a good place to stay at! I had a very warm welcome and the whole family made me feel like home in no time. I would have loved to stay longer! I can recommend Megumi's house to anyone and if you have the chance: take the meals!

they did their best to entertain us during our stay , highly recommend

Megumi's family is a very close knitted family. They will initiate conversations with you and accommodate in whichever way possible, making your stay comfortable! And they speak very good English, making your stay very convenient!

Megumi's AirBnB service is very unique, and wonderful. It is a chance for more than a room for the night. It is a chance to be welcomed into the family for a true Japanese homestay experience. Megumi and her children speak English fluently, and enjoy chatting with guests. Megumi's husband, Koji, is a fantastic cook, and it is definitely worth the 1,500 yen to add dinner and breakfast to your stay. Megumi is a wonderful host, and can often drive you to local sites if her schedule allows it. The house is definitely lived in. The bedroom and bath area are very clean, but the rest of the house can be a bit cluttered by the two junior high school students living there. I highly recommend a stay with Megumi and her family.

Megumi and her family were excellent hosts. Megumi and her two children speak English fluently and are very accommodating. The meals prepared for us were excellent traditional Japanese meals. If you're looking to get away from the larger cities and get an experience in a smaller town, I would definitely recommend Megumi!

I had a fantastic time staying with Megumi and her family! They picked me up at the station and dropped me off there when I needed to go. The kids speak superb English, and I was made extremely welcome and included in meals and conversation. Really nice people!

Fun stay in a tent! Jean was super nice! グランピングテントで楽しかったです!

I was very warmly received by Mayo's mother, Takako-san. She made me feel at home because she took very good care of me. Her meals were heart-warming for a young alone traveller like me. Despite my broken Japanese, we talked about many things and had a nice time. I even tried on one of her kimonos, which was the first time ! I am very grateful to stay at Mayo's house with Takako, and I hope to see her again in future :)

We fell in love with Japan at first sight and our experience was only made memorable by Mayo and her lovely mum, Taka. Kashihara is a quiet little town with beautiful breath taking mountain views in the distance and a short (30 minutes) train ride to Yoshino mountains. Mayo s comfy house is situated just around the corner from the train station (15 mins idle stroll). And we loved the garden so much !! With colourful and vibrant flowers to see just before we leave the home was a sure fire way to guarantee a super duper day. And the home cooked Japanese food still remains the best we have eaten in whole of Japan...we were even taught to roll our own sushi thanks to Mayo s mum ♡♡♡ The room was very comfortable, very clean (spotless) with adequate space and lighting and a wall socket to charge all our gadgets. The bathroom was fully equipped with all the necessary amenities and clean.Mayo was so gracious to let us use her laundry machine with no extra charge at all. This was easily an awesome; one of my favourite stay during our trip to Japan. P/s: we were lucky enough to be there for an annual shrine festival within walking distances from Mayo s home. We had our pics taken and displayed onto the shrines roof tiles at (URL HIDDEN) was indeed a very fun and memorable trip to Mayo s home in Kashihara. Worth every penny!!! Will definitely return in a heart beat.