Nothing.

This was the best stay of our trip, the staff were so welcoming and friendly. Would really recommend attending the dinner if it's on while you're there

Stayed in May 2025

This guest house is perfectly suited for those seeking company and eager to meet people. For example, shared breakfasts and evening meals were organised by the staff each day of my stay for those willing to join, the latter usually followed by discussion or games up to bedtime. I left this Japanese traditional house with the feeling to have shared a few days with old friends I hadn't met in a while.

Stayed in December 2024

Was a great place meet other travellers in the evening

Stayed in November 2024

None

The host, shota was very friendly and helpful. Wonderful view of Takasu from the bedroom

Stayed in November 2024

nothing, it was perfect

The owner and the employee were absolutely amazing! I had the most memorable part of my long trip in Japan here! making dinner together every night was incredible and meeting so many different people. the rooms themselves are incredible, clean and super comfortable and the area is very quiet and beautiful! my favorite place in Japan!

Stayed in October 2024

Nothing, I loved it all. I will be back!

I was going to stay 1 night, but Setouchi Life and the surrounding area were so amazing I ended up staying for 4 nights!. The staff were super lovely and kind. My 'dorm' bed was a room of my own with doors opening on to a sea view. I loved being able to make and share dinner with everyone - to chat about life and our travels. This is a beautiful area (sunsets to die for!), it was great to be able to experience a slice of the 'real Japan' and stay in some lovely old houses. This was a great spot to stop and relax during my cycle tour. ❤️.

Stayed in October 2024

This is a very nice hotel, I loved the sea view room, the facilities and the very large kitchen. Japanese bathroom. And the kindness of the manager, really friendly and helpful 🙂

Stayed in October 2024

I wish we would have stayed longer

The welcoming atmosphere and project character of the guesthouse where you get to meet locals and have wonderful conversations with them and other travelers. Also the island with its many attractions is well worth visiting. And last but not least the super friendly staff who are always there to help you and have a good time!

Stayed in October 2024

The rooms are not very sound proof so whenever someone walked outside or talked you would hear it. If there are many guests, especially children, you will hear them in the morning.

Nice and cozy room in a quiet and pretty neighborhood. The balcony was a highlight. Possible to cook meals in the kitchen. The staff were so kind and helpful. The other guests as well. It was fun to talk to everyone but also possible to have quiet time.

Stayed in August 2024

The owner of the location was incredibly kind and encouraging. He was very helpful and made the experience very fun. If I asked any questions, he would quickly try to find a solution. The check-in location was very unique and pretty. It was very close to nature. The bed area was close to nature as well. It felt like I was on an adventure. I liked it a lot.

Stayed in July 2024

I got lost a lot of times, but that not necessarily a bad thing :)

Quiet place, lively family. Would love to stay again given the chance. Highly suggest it!

Stayed in July 2024

The closest convenience store is a bit far away, but still walkable. The clinics in the town don't accept foreigners.

The hosts were amazing! Good English and they were patient with my attempts at Japanese as well. The rooms are in a separate building within a walking distance, but uphill. It was ok for me, but people with walking difficulties might not be able to make it. The bathroom in the separate building exceeded expectations. Cheap laundry options. The bathtub was large enough for a tall European to fit in completely. The view from up the hill was amazing. There's an onsen on the south part of the island that you can visit via bus.

Stayed in April 2024

Little to nothing. The bike rental could be improved. One bike was a little bit small and requesting the bike was a little bit difficult.

This place is very comfortable. It is quiet and the staff is friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. The staff informed us nicely about a wide range of things to do in the neighbourhood and gave us more background on the history of the city and the guesthouse. The guesthouse is well situated in a calm area with a few fun attractions such as a beach and sake brewery. But the hostel is fun on its own, as guests have space to work on their own art, cook a dinner for the guesthouse, read Japanese books or have fun conversations about the world.

Stayed in May 2024

The staff and the owner were really friendly and welcoming, if i have the chance certainly i will go back there

Stayed in December 2023

It feels like a family. We were cooking and having dinner together 😊 I had lots of unique experiences by meeting the people in the village and talking to them. Acchan took me and other guests to the Sake brewery for a tasting and showed us around. I liked the experience so much that I cancelled my further travel plans and volunteered for a week.

Stayed in November 2023

I loved it but It’s traditional so if you can’t climb stairs, it’s probably too difficult. The staff is so amazing though and would probably find a room in the main floor.

Out of our entire 14 day Japan trip this was the most authentic feeling, quaint and traditional styled neighborhood with small walkways and pretty gardens and Japanese roofs everywhere!

Stayed in October 2023

A long steep climb. And towels are not included. Gotta pay for use or towel and face towel.

Amongst the best of old Japanese houses. The staff cooked our dinner by paying a fixed amount. It was a no brainer as there are hardly any eateries around.

Stayed in October 2023

We stayed only one night, but experienced what is mentioned in some other reviews. This is an exceptional place to come down, relax and meet friendly people with interesting conversations. Some students staying there as well gave us some recommendations. You definitely should not miss ‚grandma‘s‘ Okonomiaki in the nearby family restaurant. We also took the bus (30 Min) to Kurahashicho where we swam at the beach and had coffee and snack in the chilling ‚Slow Cafe‘. Real great experience of Japan besides the big places on everybody’s list.

Stayed in August 2023

NIL

Mr Nakamura was so welcoming and even though I barely spoke any Japanese, staying at Setouchi Life really allowed me to experience life in the Japanese countryside and get to know all the fellow wonderful homestay guests, with whom I ate dinners and traveled around. Hospitality was amazing.

Stayed in July 2023

This us an authentic Japanese experience. Only hearty guests should book as there is a steep climb up a hill to the guest rooms. The small onsen in the downstairs area was exceptional. Kaito was charming and informative and cooked a delicious dinner. Ecu and Katzoo were very helpful guiding us from the bus stop and bringing our belongings to our room. We are much appreciative of the kind hospitality and genuine warmth we were shown. Once we learned the route we were able to easily take the bus from Kure to the correct Takesu stop.

Stayed in May 2023

- No trash cans (you have to put your trash in a suitable plastic bag yourself and carry it to the community building). - The garden is a bit overgrown (not a relaxing atmosphere). - At night, it is too dark inside the building to find the light switch. - No shower toilet. - There are no guide signs on the way from the community building to the room, so it's easy to get lost if you're not used to it.

I stayed at “Bungo-no-Ie (House of Great Author)”, a 5-minute walk from the community building where reception is located, in a tatami Japanese-style room for three people on the 2nd floor. I booked a dormitory, but ended up with a Japanese-style room for three people at “Bungo-no-Ie”. Comments about “Bungo-no-Ie” I stayed at: Good points... - The ocean can be seen from the room on the 2nd floor, and the view is nice (probably only one room). - One hair dryer. - Kitchen (a few cooking utensils. Not well organized or clean). - Two bicycles are available in the community building, and are free to use. - There is a supermarket nearby! Other points... - No WiFi or air conditioning. - Towels and amenities are charged. - 1 toilet, 1 bathroom, and 1 sink on the 1st floor. - Futon beds are always laid out in the rooms, and there are no desks or tables. - When you check in, you need choose two books from the bookshelf (Not necessarily have to read them). Request... - I would like a small partition at head level to ensure a minimum of privacy in the dormitory room.

Stayed in April 2025

The main problem is that the room was not clean. There was dust, hairs and even nails on the tatamis where we sleep. The sheets didn't seem clean either. This is not acceptable, especially considering the price of the room. Maybe the staff (or volunteers?) forgot to clean the room just this time, I can't say. But what I can say for sure is that, in this case, the cleaning was very disappointing to say the least.

The location is nice, in a remote village nearby the sea. The room has a nice view.

Stayed in November 2024

The bed sheets were not fresh

The staff was very accommodating and responsive.

Stayed in November 2024

Paying 30$ per night to sleep in a ghost town on the floor is not a pleasant experience. The owner saying that he has only 1 room left for “mixed dorm” while the reality is that he brings you to random abandoned houses in the village. So there were actually many rooms left (they’re not dorms) and on booking showing that the female ones are cheaper… Once arrived at the place there was no wifi, so we had to walk another 10 minutes to another house with wifi. There is only one supermarket in the entire town and it’s kind of pricy. At least they have a kitchen so I’ve been able to cook some food.

Kind of clean and quiet

Stayed in July 2024