Guesthouse Sakichi

Ideal for a solo female traveler if you’re okay with a 10-minute walk from the JR station. The single room in the main house overlooking the river was so serene and even though it was next to the bathroom it did not share walls with other rooms and it was in the back of the house lso was very quiet. The hostess was very gracious and seems to have created an ideal set up where she shares her home with travelers and lets you come and go as you please. She listed recommendations for local places and I was there for three nights so went to all three dinner places - an izakaya (best authentic Japanese experience), a curry restaurant (best atmosphere), and a basic family restaurant (best food! I recommend the 2-item dinner choosing Chicken Nanban and corn croquettes as the “sides”). The Kannawa area of Beppu was a bit touristy for me so headquartering in this peaceful beautiful neighborhood on the opposite side of town made my trip to Beppu perfect. There seems to be some confusion over the bath situation based on other reviews and here’s what I figured out: she offers a shower for your use (I assume you need to bring your own soap/shampoo) but directly across the street is a public bathhouse where everyone in the neighborhood bathes so the hostess encourages you to do this. You can get a small towel from her for 100 yen but you need to also go over there with soap and shampoo. I went to the 98 yen store at the train station and bought soap/shampoo and a small and large towel for a total of $3. Be prepared that the bath has separate sides for men and women but once you go in, each side is one open room where you undress, put your items in an open cubby, kneel on a mat next to the onsen, dip a bucket in the water repeatedly to rinse yourself as you wash your hair and scrub yourself from top to bottom before going to soak in the tub. Don’t worry about being naked as everyone averts their eyes. Worry about scrubbing correctly and thoroughly before getting in.

Very beautiful and elegant place. So many beautiful details in the furniture, and the architecture of the house, which was solid and inviting of relaxation.

There is very very little sound isolation between rooms. It felt like being back in a time in Japan when indeed sound isolation was just paper thin. It went along with the style of the house, and the fact that two grandmothers started to talk and laugh with one another by 6 am, sitting by the public Onsen bench. In other words, I think I was gifted a real moment of traditional Japan, one you hardly get anymore, but also one that might not be best for someone who wants to stay there for an extended period of time, while working. It was more than fine for me, and I really appreciated the elegance and demeanour of the host.

Beautiful 100 years old traditional Japanese house with very kind hosts.

It is located in the quiet and local area. It is quite a walk to the restaurant area. There are a few some local restaurants but close early. The place is quite clean. Convinience store are walking distance.

I think they can be more thoughtful about the guests' need. There is a kettle in a bathroom are but no cups provided, no pantry no microwave. There is no mirror in the room nor hair dryer at all. I know that there is no towel provided. But there should be option for us to rent. The owners and staff are nice but no interaction only just greeting and goodbye. I understand it is the language barrier. The Onsen across has no washing area so it is not convenient. It means u shower at the guesthouse and walk across to have a dip.in the public pool. It is not practicle maybe just me that isnt familiar with this kind of this tradition!!??