Momoko And James’s guidebook to Yui Kawazu
Sightseeing
This is the closest beach to the house- a protected beach approximately 20 minutes on foot from the house. (10 minutes down to the town, then 10 minutes (or less) to the coast. By car, it's less than 5 minutes. There is a parking area on the left side of the beach (before the tunnel) which, depending on the date of your stay, may be free (it's free most of the time).
From the carpark, there is a footpath that heads around the coast to the next beach (Imaihama Beach). This is a much nicer beach, with good surfing waves, and hotels on the beach. It will probably be much more crowded.
Kawazuhama Beach
This is the closest beach to the house- a protected beach approximately 20 minutes on foot from the house. (10 minutes down to the town, then 10 minutes (or less) to the coast. By car, it's less than 5 minutes. There is a parking area on the left side of the beach (before the tunnel) which, depending on the date of your stay, may be free (it's free most of the time).
From the carpark, there is a footpath that heads around the coast to the next beach (Imaihama Beach). This is a much nicer beach, with good surfing waves, and hotels on the beach. It will probably be much more crowded.
Beautiful in any season, but refreshing in summer. 7 different waterfalls all connected by walking trails. 3 of the falls can be easily accessed from the visitor parking, but walking trails are available to view the seven. Maps (and time required) are noted at the site. About 15km out of town (towards the mountains) - a regular bus service is available from Kawazu station if you don't have a car.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Kawazu
NashimotoBeautiful in any season, but refreshing in summer. 7 different waterfalls all connected by walking trails. 3 of the falls can be easily accessed from the visitor parking, but walking trails are available to view the seven. Maps (and time required) are noted at the site. About 15km out of town (towards the mountains) - a regular bus service is available from Kawazu station if you don't have a car.
Delmonicos Cafe, Okawaya (eel) and Flat Cafe
Delmonico's is a great local cafe serving all day lunches. It closes around 4pm or 5pm, and is closed on Sundays. Great cafe, amazing record collection, tasty food and great people. It's near "Kappa Tera" temple- walkable from the house.
Unagi (eel) - absolutely delicious, and the eel restaurant Okawaya (大川屋) is amazing. They sell out every day so either get there early for lunch, or early for dinner. Eel is quite expensive- maybe about 4,000 yen each person, but you have to try it. It's basically just a bed of rice with a grilled eel filet on top.
Both of these restaurants are about 50m from each other, and both are at the bottom of the hill to the house. There's also a new place called Furatto Cafe (Flat Cafe ふらっとCAFE) which just opened- the owner is retired and used to work for Verizon, so his English is excellent! He does simple lunches and dinners and is open in the day and night. It's on the way to our place- on the river. All of these restaurants are on google maps.
Unagi (eel) - absolutely delicious, and the eel restaurant Okawaya (大川屋) is amazing. They sell out every day so either get there early for lunch, or early for dinner. Eel is quite expensive- maybe about 4,000 yen each person, but you have to try it. It's basically just a bed of rice with a grilled eel filet on top.
Delmonico's is a great local cafe serving all day lunches. It closes around 4pm or 5pm, and is closed on Sundays. Great cafe, amazing record collection, tasty food and great people. It's near "Kappa Tera" temple- walkable from the house.
Both of these restaurants are about 50m from each other, and both are at the bottom of the hill to the house. There's also a new place called Furatto Cafe (Flat Cafe ふらっとCAFE) which just opened- the owner is retired and used to work for Verizon, so his English is excellent! He does simple lunches and dinners and is open in the day and night. It's on the way to our place- on the river. All of these restaurants are on google maps.
Okawaya
Unagi (eel) - absolutely delicious, and the eel restaurant Okawaya (大川屋) is amazing. They sell out every day so either get there early for lunch, or early for dinner. Eel is quite expensive- maybe about 4,000 yen each person, but you have to try it. It's basically just a bed of rice with a grilled eel filet on top.
Delmonico's is a great local cafe serving all day lunches. It closes around 4pm or 5pm, and is closed on Sundays. Great cafe, amazing record collection, tasty food and great people. It's near "Kappa Tera" temple- walkable from the house.
Both of these restaurants are about 50m from each other, and both are at the bottom of the hill to the house. There's also a new place called Furatto Cafe (Flat Cafe ふらっとCAFE) which just opened- the owner is retired and used to work for Verizon, so his English is excellent! He does simple lunches and dinners and is open in the day and night. It's on the way to our place- on the river. All of these restaurants are on google maps.
Beach
About 15km from the house, Shirahama is a beautiful white-sand beach that is very popular. Worth a visit any time of the year, but you can swim from May to October, or even later if you don't mind the cold! You can get a bus there (check the central bus station) but car is much easier.
20 abantu bendawo batusa
Shirahama Beach
About 15km from the house, Shirahama is a beautiful white-sand beach that is very popular. Worth a visit any time of the year, but you can swim from May to October, or even later if you don't mind the cold! You can get a bus there (check the central bus station) but car is much easier.
Izeluleko zedolobha
Ukuzulazula
Walking is possible, but car is better.
If you have a car, you can see more of the area (beaches, waterfalls, forests, hiking trails, parks and so on).
Okufanele ukupakishe
Bring good walking shoes and swimwear (in the warmer months)
In the warmer months you should pack sunscreen, swimwear and consider insect repellent if mosquitoes bother you (they can be annoying at dusk). The house is up a steep hill, so if you don't have a car, and if you plan to walk, wear comfy shoes!