I wish to sleep and have a bath there forever: the best in whole Japan! The hosts are very special and taking care of you like you are a a family member. So pure and beautiful.

Stayed in March 2025

Extreemly polite and attentive and excellent food!

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing at all, everything was great!

The host family provided an exceptional experience with their warm hospitality and attention to detail. They went above and beyond by waiting for us outside at night near the property to ensure we didn’t get lost upon arrival. The room was impeccably clean, cozy, and well-equipped with thoughtful amenities such as a hairdryer, heater, and heated bed sheets, ensuring our comfort throughout the stay. The bathroom was equally well-maintained and inviting. The meals offered were outstanding, with generous portions and carefully prepared, handmade dishes. The hosts made a genuine effort to engage with us, understanding and accommodating our needs with great care. I wish to come b ack again next time!

Stayed in December 2024

Our family stayed here for one night on New Year’s Eve, and we could not have chosen a better place to be for the occasion. From the start of our stay until the end, this was a truly exceptional experience. The hosts picked us up on the train platform and drove us to the house. We stayed in a gorgeous and spacious room, which was perfectly warm. After slipping into our yukatas, we were pleasantly surprised that the hosts prepared an elaborate shabu-shabu dinner for us in a special room, to celebrate the New Year. Aside from the delicious food, the hosts also explained every single element of the meal in detail (from how it is prepared to how it should be eaten). We had amazing sake to go with the food. We have never before received such amazing attention and service during a meal as we have here. After dinner, the hosts prepared a traditional Japanese bath for us and kept it warm the whole time by burning wood, while we took turns bathing. We had heated futons to sleep on, and we felt extremely relaxed (but still in a celebratory mood) when the clock struck midnight. We were particularly grateful for the hosts’ time, given we had arrived a bit late after spending a long time in Nara earlier in the day. They stayed up with us and took excellent care of us, and we never felt rushed. We are incredibly thankful. In the morning, we could choose a time for breakfast at leisure. The hosts prepared yet another fantastic meal for us, an amazing traditional Japanese breakfast. Homemade, very tasty, and informative. There is a lot more we could say, but seeing as space is limited, we especially want to mention the beatiful courtyard in the middle and the modern bathroom. The surrounding area was also peaceful and very pretty, and we enjoyed walking to the station in the morning, seeing the architecture and nature in the countryside (though the hosts again kindly offered to drive us, we chose to walk for the experience). A wonderful, unforgettable stay. Thank you!

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing at all. To have stayed for longer. We will be back.

This wonderful homestay is a must for anyone travelling in the Nara prefecture. A beautifully appointed traditional Japanese home with stunning architecture and courtyard garden. The futon beds are very comfortable, the western or Japanese breakfasts generous and tasty. We self catered one night however the dinners provided at the house are spectacular - we had a duck hotpot and kaiseki - all served on exquisite ceramics. The wood fired bath with hot stones was a highlight at the end of a cold day. We stayed for 3 nights in mid December and the house was always cosy and warm. As other guests have noted; the kindness, generosity, discretion and attention to detail shown by the hosts made this our most memorable experience in Japan. The care they showed towards my 87 yr old mother was touching. The advice on spending our days in the area invaluable. Sincere and heartfelt thanks from Jen, Sean, Anna and Ann

Stayed in December 2024

Nothing

Despite my failing to communicate in a timely way everything was ready when we arrived. The owners tell us they have had an arrangement for years for kaiseki dinners to be delivered in, but they serve it as if you were in the restaurant and it is good quality and value for money. It's a single group booking only and although most of the house is very old, there is an up to date minkitchen if you want to make your own breakfast. Everything is well maintained. The bath is only outside access so in bad weather it could be a bit off-putting.

Stayed in November 2024

Our stay here was a highlight of our trip to Japan. We loved everything about it. The location was beautiful, charming, and authentic. The staff went above and beyond all expectations to ensure we had a great stay. There's no words to describe how lovely they were, and the level of customer service they provided. If we return to Japan, we hope to stay here again.

Stayed in November 2024

We loved the ambiance of this beautiful, traditional old house and garden. Hiro and Yuki are so friendly and caring. Every meal was great and they took great care to prepare vegetarian food. We really felt like valued guests. The area was so pretty and quiet! A holiday from our holiday!! We hope to come back one day and will certainly recommend to friends and family.

Stayed in October 2024

Nothing. Everything delighted us.

Our stay at Katsuemon Gosho was an absolute highlight of our trip to Japan. Everything about it was wonderful - the hosts and their gracious hospitality, the 200 year old traditional farmhouse, the stunning courtyard garden and the general rural neighbourhood. The hosts are proud of their home and we felt privileged to stay there. They only accept one lot of guests at a time which made our stay even more special. Translate apps allowed us to communicate very effectively. We ordered a traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast the next morning and highly recommend that if you are staying that you do too. The home cooked food was outstanding and more like a feast than a dinner. We would give this property more stars if we could.

Stayed in October 2024

everything was great

one of the best experiences you can have when traveling japan, especially if you plan visiting Nora and would like to get to know the countryside. run by an amazing and warm-hearted couple. you can feel their heart and love for details/authenticity. I strongly recommend to order the japanese dinner and breakfast. after a long flight, I had the best sleep since a long time. hope I come back some day with by gf (thanks again for the gift!) and/or brother/sister.

Stayed in July 2024

Nothing. It was great!

The staff were both very sweet and helpful, even when I had difficulties with transport. All the facilities were up to par and the staff made sure that we were more than satisfied! Even without considering this incredible service, the location and facilities of the stay (the bath, the food, the room, etc.) all contributed to an exceptional stay.

Stayed in June 2024

Beautiful home, lovely garden, and very friendly and helpful owners

Stayed in June 2024

This was my second times staying at the hotel which is the best representative property and service as a Japan style house. I love the gardens, the bed, the food and most of all the services (like old friends).

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing really

The hosts were beautiful beings, so helpful, kind, joyful, respectful and absolutely lovely! The home is a treasure, comfy and old Japanese style, the garden and meals were fantastic! We slept so well, the beds were so comfy and it was the quietest place we ve stayed. We walked amongst beautiful trees, gardens, traditional house, river, even found a lovely cafe. We definitely plan to return and are grateful to have this wonderful experience! Thank you 💖🙏🙇‍♀️

Stayed in April 2024

Wifi should be stronger but this is just a small issue as I wanted to complain to the bad hotel the night before. Otherwise there is no reason you need internet in this amazing place!

Super nice couple that picked us up and dropped us off at the station, my son had food poisoning from the hotel the night before in Osaka and they helped with that and got us in a great meal, breakfast. The house is stunning and very big with excellent rooms.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing

Amazing hospitality, super friendly hosts and beautiful traditional Japanese house and garden.

Stayed in October 2023

Nothing

The property was beautifully restored with everything you needed as a weary traveller. Amazing collection of current and historical decors and antiques. There was intentional detail showing the mastery of japanese craft, from the doors to walls, even the hanging rack for clothes. The garden was also curated with collected rocks, small fountains, and provided a serene environment to truly enjoy this older folk house.

Stayed in November 2023

Should have stayed longer!

Everything about this stay was amazing. This was a highlight of our trip and would recommend to anyone wanting a unique, authentic, personal experience in Japan (definitely get the breakfast and dinner, you will not regret it!).

Stayed in October 2023

I thought that it's a little inconvenient to reach the place, but they try their best to welcome us as I wrote above, so there's nothing I didn't like.

Katsuemon was one of the best places to stay at. The main building is around 200 years old and where we stayed is around 100 years old. It's a wonderful experience just to stay at such a "Kominka" (an old house), but it's well-maintained and very clean. The renovated toilet is a bidet one, while firewood is used to heat up the bath. Their Japanese garden is very beautiful. Both Bantou-san (male) and Okami-san (female) are very kind and friendly. Bantou-san came to pick us up and gave us a ride to the nearest station, Ichio station by car. We were worried if we could miss the last train for Ichio station, so we informed them in advance. Then they told us that they would come to pick us up at another station in that case. (We didn't miss the last train.) We were pretty late to check-in, but they both were very nice to us. It's very quiet and dark around there at night, so you should look up to the sky. You can enjoy the starry night! We had breakfast in the 200-year-old building and enjoyed chatting with them until we checked out. It was such a great time to stay there, and we will definitely stay there again in a different season!!!

Stayed in July 2023

nothing

It is hard to describe such a pleasant environment. you feel like you are Japanese, the house is very traditional, very clean,looks into a beautiful garden. The hosts are extremely friendly and helpful. we arrived late and had made no dinner arrangements they went beyond and arranged a nice sushi plate.

Stayed in June 2023

Very beautiful japanese house in the countryside. Delicious dinners and friendly owners. We spent 2 nice and quiet days at Katsuemon. Would recommend it to anyone who wants to experience japanese countryside

Stayed in June 2023

The hosts we’re very friendly, helpful and show us how to eat Japanese traditional foot. Welcome by candlelight in the old Japanese latern in the garden. They ordered us delicious Kaiseki dinner. Before we had a warm bath. We loved it.

Stayed in May 2023

This place is one is the most magnificent that we have ever visited. Peaceful hidden gem with very hospitable hosts. Authentic interior, stunning garden view from the room and atmosphere of traditional Japanese culture made our visit very touching, cozy and unique💗

Stayed in May 2023

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We tried their home cooked breakfast and it was great! The hosts were really nice and their hospitality was wonderful.

Stayed in May 2023