Frenchwriter
April 13, 2023
Kumano: Save yourself this at the end of the kumano kodo. I have rarely counted so many negative points, especially in Japan where most of the time the establishments have a level of service unrivaled in the world (from 1 to 5 stars) 1. the upstream discussions were complicated, too directive. 2. On arrival the man of the house shakes hands with my companion but not with me (this immediately puts you at ease) 3. At the end of a 30 km hike we were hoping for an onsen or a hot bath , otherwise the owner rushes us to eat because the meal was planned (by him)! at a certain time. He knew that we had walked a lot and could have adapted a little, especially since this region is popular for hiking. We had not been warned of the dinner time but we had been informed of the progress of our trekking as it progressed, so no surprises. 4. Homemade meal okay but 65 euros per person is way too much and three thin slices of wagyu beef do not justify doubling the price of the simple menu. 5. During the meal, the owner only spoke to the next table. Great for feeling good. 6. No soundproofing, we suffered from the conversations of our indelicate neighbor until midnight. I had to go and ask him to do his videoconference elsewhere. 7. “We booked for a deluge triple room with sea view, we ended up with a room with a view of the parking lot! 8. Out of all the establishments we visited, this is the first time that there is no bottle of water in the room! 9. No curtain or shutters. 10. Wake up at 4:30 a.m. to a concerto of roosters (and turkeys) crowing. I have no problem with nature but frankly I don't want to be next to a barnyard when I'm doing a demanding trail and sleep is a decisive issue. I would have at least liked to have been warned of this in the hotel presentation sheet. 11. Being in the heart of the mountains and having no view is really a very negative point. Especially when you open the sliding walls and come across a stock of tables! 12. Shuttle to the hotel and to the station 20 euros. The main access road was closed by a landslide (which we were only warned about yesterday!) but it is we who are suffering the consequences. We have stayed in around 30 establishments in Japan but this is the first time we have been charged for a shuttle. Kumano Kodo is a beautiful region and I am very sad to end my stay on this negative note. Positive mention all the same: the owner's wife, extraordinarily kind and really very efficient. It would be better if she was the one serving rather than putting her to do the dishes!
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