This list was originally posted on the Shikoku Henro Trail forum by myself. Due to physical limitations on my part (back injuries), I decided to keep my backpack light by not bringing camping equipment with me. As a result, I always staid in paid lodgings - hostels/guesthouses, minshuku, ryokan, business hotels, and hotels.
Here is a list of all the places I stayed at, along with my own notes about each place. I've divided them by prefecture, so simply click on the corresponding prefecture to expand the list.
Here is a list of all the places I stayed at, along with my own notes about each place. I've divided them by prefecture, so simply click on the corresponding prefecture to expand the list.
Tokushima Prefecture
1. Toyoko Inn Tokushima Ekimae (Tokushima City; Business Hotel)
An average business hotel, though my bed was rock hard and not comfortable. Complimentary hot breakfast, but I didn't have time to try it. Coin laundry available.
2. Minshuku Kotobuki Shokudou (Between T5 and T6)
Simple minshuku with a very warm, friendly family. They served up a big hot pot for dinner and a delicious breakfast the next morning. Their daughter even carried up a big stove to my room to ensure I was warm despite the physical exertion of carrying it up the stairs. They gave me a large handkerchief with a map of the Shikoku pilgrimage on it as ossetai.
3. Ryokan Sakura (Yoshinogawa City, near T11)
Nice place that even allowed me to stay a 2nd night due to my knees being too bad to take on the hike to T12 (without meals, though, for the 2nd day; I think it was because there were no other guests, either because there were none or they were closed that day and allowed me to stay out of pity/sympathy). One hour of free Wifi offered. One of their younger staff spoke a bit of English. The old man who sent me off on the day I left gave me onigiri, a can of cold green tea, medicated pain patches (for my knees), and a lovely handwritten note as osettai.
4. Hotel Clement Tokushima (Tokushima City)
A step up from the usual business hotels without being overly expensive. It's also right at the train station, which is convenient. Nice place and comfortable, though nothing stand out. The staff at the front desk usually speak a bit of basic English. There is a restaurant on site, but I didn't eat there, preferring to explore the myriad of restaurants around the train station. Hotel offers laundry service, but is kind of pricey. They had a laundry line in my room's bathroom, so I did a bit of sink laundry and hung them to try using the line.
5. Sudachi-kan (Kamiyama Town, near T12)
Simple accommodations but very warm hosts who are obviously very dedicated to the pilgrimage and henro. The son speaks good English and helped me and another foreign henro make reservations at the next minshuku. Meals are eaten family-style, with everyone huddled around a table, chatting over dinner/breakfast. 4000yen, which includes huge delicious meals and a trip to the local onsen (they will drive you there and back). I paid only 3500yen because I was not able to partake of the onsen (woman problems). However, the other foreign henro told me the onsen was fantastic, especially after the hike to T12. They gave us onigiri, an orange (or whatever citrus fruit it was), and candy as osettai. Laundry available. They do have a dog, if that matters to anyone (I.e. Allergies).
6. Minshuku Myozai (right beside T13)
Nothing particularly stand out, though not in a bad way. The meals were fantastic, and dinner even included sashimi and the most delicious tempura I've ever eaten. Laundry available. The rest of the facilities were fine. Each henro received a small bottle of liquid to massage into sore muscles as osettai.
7. Business Hotel Astria (Tokushima City)
Fairly minimal business hotel but the front desk staff were warm and cheerful. There is a restaurant on their main floor, but I didn't try it. If I remember right, it was 5100yen for the night. No meals, of course.
8. Kaneko-ya (Katsuura Town, just before T20)
Stayed here after returning from Kyoto. Basic minshuku. Owner spoke a few words of English. Only one bath room, so men and women have to take turns (although, female henro are rare enough, so they probably don't have to segregate very often, haha). However, the bath is huge and was wonderful to soak in. Meals were notably smaller than most other minshuku and ryokan I've stayed in. They were a good size for me, but I've noticed I have a smaller appetite than most.
9. Michinoyado Sowaka (at the base of T21 ropeway)
Nice facilities with a huge public onsen. Coin laundry available. Meals were good, but the dining room is big so everyone sort of sits separate. Staff were nice but a bit distant. Wifi available but I couldn't get it to work when I was there. They have some sitting areas and lots of manga to read if you can read Japanese
An average business hotel, though my bed was rock hard and not comfortable. Complimentary hot breakfast, but I didn't have time to try it. Coin laundry available.
2. Minshuku Kotobuki Shokudou (Between T5 and T6)
Simple minshuku with a very warm, friendly family. They served up a big hot pot for dinner and a delicious breakfast the next morning. Their daughter even carried up a big stove to my room to ensure I was warm despite the physical exertion of carrying it up the stairs. They gave me a large handkerchief with a map of the Shikoku pilgrimage on it as ossetai.
3. Ryokan Sakura (Yoshinogawa City, near T11)
Nice place that even allowed me to stay a 2nd night due to my knees being too bad to take on the hike to T12 (without meals, though, for the 2nd day; I think it was because there were no other guests, either because there were none or they were closed that day and allowed me to stay out of pity/sympathy). One hour of free Wifi offered. One of their younger staff spoke a bit of English. The old man who sent me off on the day I left gave me onigiri, a can of cold green tea, medicated pain patches (for my knees), and a lovely handwritten note as osettai.
4. Hotel Clement Tokushima (Tokushima City)
A step up from the usual business hotels without being overly expensive. It's also right at the train station, which is convenient. Nice place and comfortable, though nothing stand out. The staff at the front desk usually speak a bit of basic English. There is a restaurant on site, but I didn't eat there, preferring to explore the myriad of restaurants around the train station. Hotel offers laundry service, but is kind of pricey. They had a laundry line in my room's bathroom, so I did a bit of sink laundry and hung them to try using the line.
5. Sudachi-kan (Kamiyama Town, near T12)
Simple accommodations but very warm hosts who are obviously very dedicated to the pilgrimage and henro. The son speaks good English and helped me and another foreign henro make reservations at the next minshuku. Meals are eaten family-style, with everyone huddled around a table, chatting over dinner/breakfast. 4000yen, which includes huge delicious meals and a trip to the local onsen (they will drive you there and back). I paid only 3500yen because I was not able to partake of the onsen (woman problems). However, the other foreign henro told me the onsen was fantastic, especially after the hike to T12. They gave us onigiri, an orange (or whatever citrus fruit it was), and candy as osettai. Laundry available. They do have a dog, if that matters to anyone (I.e. Allergies).
6. Minshuku Myozai (right beside T13)
Nothing particularly stand out, though not in a bad way. The meals were fantastic, and dinner even included sashimi and the most delicious tempura I've ever eaten. Laundry available. The rest of the facilities were fine. Each henro received a small bottle of liquid to massage into sore muscles as osettai.
7. Business Hotel Astria (Tokushima City)
Fairly minimal business hotel but the front desk staff were warm and cheerful. There is a restaurant on their main floor, but I didn't try it. If I remember right, it was 5100yen for the night. No meals, of course.
8. Kaneko-ya (Katsuura Town, just before T20)
Stayed here after returning from Kyoto. Basic minshuku. Owner spoke a few words of English. Only one bath room, so men and women have to take turns (although, female henro are rare enough, so they probably don't have to segregate very often, haha). However, the bath is huge and was wonderful to soak in. Meals were notably smaller than most other minshuku and ryokan I've stayed in. They were a good size for me, but I've noticed I have a smaller appetite than most.
9. Michinoyado Sowaka (at the base of T21 ropeway)
Nice facilities with a huge public onsen. Coin laundry available. Meals were good, but the dining room is big so everyone sort of sits separate. Staff were nice but a bit distant. Wifi available but I couldn't get it to work when I was there. They have some sitting areas and lots of manga to read if you can read Japanese
Kochi Prefecture
10. White Beach Hotel (Kannoura)
I took the train from T22 to T23, then continued taking the train to its terminus, Kannoura. This hotel is right on the beach. It's run down but it was fine and the beds were comfortable. Complimentary breakfast in their on-site restaurant was offered, but it didn't start until 7 am, so I skipped it in favour of starting earlier to get further. No convenience stores nearby, but the front desk staff did point out three nearby restaurants.
11. Hotel Nahari (Nahari Town, between T26 and T27)
Another old, somewhat run down hotel. However, the front desk staff were very friendly and cheerful. I saw plenty of families staying there. Restaurant on-site. They offer a continental breakfast (onigiri and bread/toast with butter and jams, and of course, tea, coffee, and/or juice) for an additional 360yen (I think?), or a full traditional Japanese breakfast for 1000yen. They have a ofuro available, but I was too tired to go in and try it. Coin laundry available. Not sure if they have an elevator, if that matters to any of you. Also, their walls are extremely thin and sound travels through them like air, so noise can be an issue, depending on who your neighbours are (mine kept hitting snooze for an hour first thing in the morning while I had a migraine).
12. Minshuku Yuan (Konan City, near T28)
A really nice, small Western-style minshuku (if you can imagine that). The owners are incredibly warm and enthusiastic, and they served up what I consider the best meals I've had so far this pilgrimage (which is really saying something). Meals were eaten in a small dining room (table only sat 4, so I suspect that' the max number of guests they can have at a time), so it encourages henro to chat with each other. Western-style bed was very comfortable. When finding it, look out for the bright yellow house. 6700yen.
13. Kochi Youth Hostel (Kochi City)
It's off the main henro trail, but is right near Engyojiguchi Station on the JR Dosan Line. I stayed here mostly because I had stayed here before on a previous trip to Japan and enjoyed it that much. The owners speak pretty good English and are very warm, friendly, and helpful. The place is huge and features lots of natural wood. Meals available on request for an additional price. I've never tried them (I prefer to head to Hirome Market to eat Kochi's specialty, katsuo no tataki) but I've been told their meals are very good. My single room was 3000yen/night (I stayed for 2 nights because I just like Kochi that much). Laundry available (pay for it at the front desk). Both showers and ofuro available. Wifi and computer available on the 1st floor (Kondo-San, the owner, says if you're lucky, you can get it on the 2nd floor, too, but not always). Complimentary green, black, and cold tea (help yourself). Kondo-San used to work for a sake brewing company, and offers a sake-tasting course for a small fee (reserve in advance). English website: http://www.kyh-sakenokuni.com/english.html
14. Business Inn Tosa (Tosa City; listed as BH Tosa in the guidebook)
Basic business hotel with everything you'd expect. The lady who checked me in was friendly and when she realized I couldn't read the instructions for opening the door and turning on the lights (kanji is difficult!), she came up to my room with me and showed me herself. The lady who took my reservation over the phone also took care to speak nice and clearly for me, too (my Japanese is minimal, so if someone speaks fast or with a thick accent, I struggle). 5400yen for the night. Bakery/Cafe right next door, and a Family Mart and post office nearby, too. Check out isn't until 10am and the hotel is on the henro trail between T35 and T36, so because I didn't make it to Temple 35 today (achy ankle + rain + dirt paths and slopes), I plan to get to the temple first thing in the morning, then return to the hotel to check out and pick up my backpack, then head to Temple 36.
15. Kokumin-shakusha Tosa (near T36)
Beautiful hotel with great views, but on the expensive side (7300 yen, including meals, which you might want to accept because there aren't any stores nearby). However, Shiohama-so might be closed (my Japanese isn't great and the lady who answered spoke really fast; I did catch the word "tomare", though) and Minshuku Nazuna wasn't answering. Attentive staff and most seemed to know a few words of basic English. The manager(?) has a good command of English and was super helpful, including driving me and two other henro to the ferry port as osettai and giving me train schedule information and tips on walking Cape Ashizuri. They have both an indoor bath and an outdoor one. To get there, take the little path leading to T36's okunoin. The path can be found just behind the stamp office and is steep in places, but the alternative is to circle all the way around.
16. Hotel Crown Hills Nakamura (Shimanto City near Nakamura Station)
Typical business hotel but comfortable enough. Ofuro available on the first floor, but I didn't try it. Coin laundry available. 5900 yen for a single room. Breakfast available for an additional 760 yen starting at 6:45am. Breakfast was buffet style with a big spread and both Western me Japanese food available. Convenience store next door.
17. Business Hotel Nancho (Tosa-Shimizu City)
Definitely has seen better days. It is old and run down and not all too clean. My bed sheets are clean but the carpet in my room has old stains. 5400 yen. TV operates only if you pay so since I don't understand Japanese TV anyway, I didn't even use it. Probably wouldn't stay here again. Although not marked in the guidebook, there is a Lawson's a minute away on foot.
18. Minshuku Kanaesaki (between Tosa-Shimizu City and Otsuki)
Basic minshuku but hostess was friendly (only spoke Japanese, though). Dinner and breakfast were good with lots of fish. 6000yen including meals. Near the Kanaesaki lighthouse and rest hut (which also houses a small colony of feral cats) and about 7 km before Tsukimiya Shrine.
I took the train from T22 to T23, then continued taking the train to its terminus, Kannoura. This hotel is right on the beach. It's run down but it was fine and the beds were comfortable. Complimentary breakfast in their on-site restaurant was offered, but it didn't start until 7 am, so I skipped it in favour of starting earlier to get further. No convenience stores nearby, but the front desk staff did point out three nearby restaurants.
11. Hotel Nahari (Nahari Town, between T26 and T27)
Another old, somewhat run down hotel. However, the front desk staff were very friendly and cheerful. I saw plenty of families staying there. Restaurant on-site. They offer a continental breakfast (onigiri and bread/toast with butter and jams, and of course, tea, coffee, and/or juice) for an additional 360yen (I think?), or a full traditional Japanese breakfast for 1000yen. They have a ofuro available, but I was too tired to go in and try it. Coin laundry available. Not sure if they have an elevator, if that matters to any of you. Also, their walls are extremely thin and sound travels through them like air, so noise can be an issue, depending on who your neighbours are (mine kept hitting snooze for an hour first thing in the morning while I had a migraine).
12. Minshuku Yuan (Konan City, near T28)
A really nice, small Western-style minshuku (if you can imagine that). The owners are incredibly warm and enthusiastic, and they served up what I consider the best meals I've had so far this pilgrimage (which is really saying something). Meals were eaten in a small dining room (table only sat 4, so I suspect that' the max number of guests they can have at a time), so it encourages henro to chat with each other. Western-style bed was very comfortable. When finding it, look out for the bright yellow house. 6700yen.
13. Kochi Youth Hostel (Kochi City)
It's off the main henro trail, but is right near Engyojiguchi Station on the JR Dosan Line. I stayed here mostly because I had stayed here before on a previous trip to Japan and enjoyed it that much. The owners speak pretty good English and are very warm, friendly, and helpful. The place is huge and features lots of natural wood. Meals available on request for an additional price. I've never tried them (I prefer to head to Hirome Market to eat Kochi's specialty, katsuo no tataki) but I've been told their meals are very good. My single room was 3000yen/night (I stayed for 2 nights because I just like Kochi that much). Laundry available (pay for it at the front desk). Both showers and ofuro available. Wifi and computer available on the 1st floor (Kondo-San, the owner, says if you're lucky, you can get it on the 2nd floor, too, but not always). Complimentary green, black, and cold tea (help yourself). Kondo-San used to work for a sake brewing company, and offers a sake-tasting course for a small fee (reserve in advance). English website: http://www.kyh-sakenokuni.com/english.html
14. Business Inn Tosa (Tosa City; listed as BH Tosa in the guidebook)
Basic business hotel with everything you'd expect. The lady who checked me in was friendly and when she realized I couldn't read the instructions for opening the door and turning on the lights (kanji is difficult!), she came up to my room with me and showed me herself. The lady who took my reservation over the phone also took care to speak nice and clearly for me, too (my Japanese is minimal, so if someone speaks fast or with a thick accent, I struggle). 5400yen for the night. Bakery/Cafe right next door, and a Family Mart and post office nearby, too. Check out isn't until 10am and the hotel is on the henro trail between T35 and T36, so because I didn't make it to Temple 35 today (achy ankle + rain + dirt paths and slopes), I plan to get to the temple first thing in the morning, then return to the hotel to check out and pick up my backpack, then head to Temple 36.
15. Kokumin-shakusha Tosa (near T36)
Beautiful hotel with great views, but on the expensive side (7300 yen, including meals, which you might want to accept because there aren't any stores nearby). However, Shiohama-so might be closed (my Japanese isn't great and the lady who answered spoke really fast; I did catch the word "tomare", though) and Minshuku Nazuna wasn't answering. Attentive staff and most seemed to know a few words of basic English. The manager(?) has a good command of English and was super helpful, including driving me and two other henro to the ferry port as osettai and giving me train schedule information and tips on walking Cape Ashizuri. They have both an indoor bath and an outdoor one. To get there, take the little path leading to T36's okunoin. The path can be found just behind the stamp office and is steep in places, but the alternative is to circle all the way around.
16. Hotel Crown Hills Nakamura (Shimanto City near Nakamura Station)
Typical business hotel but comfortable enough. Ofuro available on the first floor, but I didn't try it. Coin laundry available. 5900 yen for a single room. Breakfast available for an additional 760 yen starting at 6:45am. Breakfast was buffet style with a big spread and both Western me Japanese food available. Convenience store next door.
17. Business Hotel Nancho (Tosa-Shimizu City)
Definitely has seen better days. It is old and run down and not all too clean. My bed sheets are clean but the carpet in my room has old stains. 5400 yen. TV operates only if you pay so since I don't understand Japanese TV anyway, I didn't even use it. Probably wouldn't stay here again. Although not marked in the guidebook, there is a Lawson's a minute away on foot.
18. Minshuku Kanaesaki (between Tosa-Shimizu City and Otsuki)
Basic minshuku but hostess was friendly (only spoke Japanese, though). Dinner and breakfast were good with lots of fish. 6000yen including meals. Near the Kanaesaki lighthouse and rest hut (which also houses a small colony of feral cats) and about 7 km before Tsukimiya Shrine.
Ehime Prefecture
19. Business Hotel Plaza Misho (near T40, Ainan Town)
Another old, kind of run down business Hotel but my room was clean and bed was comfortable. The lady at the front desk was very friendly. Very close to T40 and convenience store nearby. 4600 yen.
20. Uwajima Youth Hostel (Uwajima City)
A bit run down as well but the staff member on duty was incredibly friendly and she even came to my room to ask if I wanted to see the nice sunset that evening and then we spent some time chatting. She spoke good English and helped me make reservations for a few days after. It is located a bit far and is up on a hill but it has fantastic views of the city with the castle practically staring back at you in the distance. ¥3600 for one night in a room with 2 beds and even a table and sitting cushions (I was the only guest that night so I had the place all to myself). Coin laundry available. Free tea and coffee and, at least when I was there, oranges. Bring food before you go there because you'll have to down the hill to the nearest convenience store.
21. Matsuya Ryokan (Seiyo City, near T43)
Was highly recommended in the guidebook so I went for the splurge. They quoted me a price of ¥10800, but brought it down to ¥8900 on check out (henro discount maybe?). It's an actual ryokan where you choose your meal times and everything. The bath was absolutely amazing, the food was top notch, and the service was great. The person who took my reservation spoke some English but the front line staff only spoke Japanese.
22. Umetako Ryokan (Ozu City)
A little dusty in places but it was otherwise in great condition and comfortable. The owner was super friendly and hospitable and I can't sing my praises enough about him. He warned that the Ryokan is hard to find because there is a restaurant with the same name nearby, so he met me at the restaurant to show me the way. When I got to my room, he had taken the mattress from the 2nd bed and doubled up on my bed to make it more comfy. Laundry was free (hang dry only though). I had my own toilet (the squat kind though) and sink. The bath was large and can be reheated, which was awesome. I asked for no meals but in the morning, he snuck me a couple of onigiri anyway, and then gave me a fantastic packed lunch as osettai (not just onigiri but fish, tamagoyaki, half a croquette, a slice of orange). ¥4860 for my night's stay.
23. Ikadaya (between Uchiko and T44)
Really nice ryokan with friendly hosts. This reservation was made for me by the lovely staff at Uwajima Youth Hostel and they were a bit hesitant to accept a foreigner due to language concerns, but they still accepted me (knowing I could speak a little Japanese; not sure how it would have went if I spoke none). The food was delicious and you sit on a floor cusion next to a smoldering fire pit - really unique. ¥8800 for the night, including 2 meals.
24. Omogo Ryokan (near T44)
Stayed here for 2 nights (to spend the 2nd day going to T45 and back). Runs more like a minshuku than a ryokan. Truthfully, it came highly recommended in the guidebook but I would say it's just ok - not great, not bad. Except for my rice and tea, my food is cold (though the flavor is good). My room is comfortable and clean. The owner is nice but she only speaks Japanese, so we can't converse much. She's much chattier with guests who are fluent in Japanese. ¥7000/night including 2 meals.
25. Sen Guesthouse Matsuyama (Matsuyama city, near T51 and Dogo Onsen)
I had been here before so I booked a dorm bed here again. Incredibly nice, friendly, and helpful staff. The owners (an American/Japanese couple) and one of their current staff have done the pilgrimage and can offer advice or just chat about it (in English or Japanese!). Convenience stores, restaurants, a shopping arcade, and Dogo Onsen are all nearby. Laundry machines available (paid), although you can also hang your clothes up on their rooftop patio. I highly recommend this place. ¥2800/night for my female dorm bed.
26. Cyclo no Ie (Imabari, right next to the JR station)
Geared more towards cyclists (usually for the Shimanami Kaido) but all types of guests, including henro, are welcome. Very friendly and helpful staff, most of whom speak decent to great English. You get a map of the area on check in, highlighting recommended restaurants with Imabari's specialty foods and sights (I went to two of the restaurants and one of the cafes and they were all fantastic). The whole hostel is beautiful and looks pretty new. ¥2500/night for a dorm or capsule bed. Not much in ways of locked storage, though. Lots of restaurants and a couple of convenience stores nearby. Coin laundry available, although the dryer was really expensive. You can hang dry your clothes on the clotheslines, though.
27. Saijo Urban Hotel (Saijo City, right next to the JR station)
Really nice, comfortable hotel. Surprisingly, I got a brand new towel from them as osettai when I checked in. During the day, there was usually someone at the front desk who knew some basic English. There is a cafe and restaurant on site but I didn't try them. Lawson's literally right next door. Vending machines selling drinks and cup ramen on the first floor. Coin laundry and public bath available (in addition to the usual shower in your room). ¥6300/night for my single room.
Another old, kind of run down business Hotel but my room was clean and bed was comfortable. The lady at the front desk was very friendly. Very close to T40 and convenience store nearby. 4600 yen.
20. Uwajima Youth Hostel (Uwajima City)
A bit run down as well but the staff member on duty was incredibly friendly and she even came to my room to ask if I wanted to see the nice sunset that evening and then we spent some time chatting. She spoke good English and helped me make reservations for a few days after. It is located a bit far and is up on a hill but it has fantastic views of the city with the castle practically staring back at you in the distance. ¥3600 for one night in a room with 2 beds and even a table and sitting cushions (I was the only guest that night so I had the place all to myself). Coin laundry available. Free tea and coffee and, at least when I was there, oranges. Bring food before you go there because you'll have to down the hill to the nearest convenience store.
21. Matsuya Ryokan (Seiyo City, near T43)
Was highly recommended in the guidebook so I went for the splurge. They quoted me a price of ¥10800, but brought it down to ¥8900 on check out (henro discount maybe?). It's an actual ryokan where you choose your meal times and everything. The bath was absolutely amazing, the food was top notch, and the service was great. The person who took my reservation spoke some English but the front line staff only spoke Japanese.
22. Umetako Ryokan (Ozu City)
A little dusty in places but it was otherwise in great condition and comfortable. The owner was super friendly and hospitable and I can't sing my praises enough about him. He warned that the Ryokan is hard to find because there is a restaurant with the same name nearby, so he met me at the restaurant to show me the way. When I got to my room, he had taken the mattress from the 2nd bed and doubled up on my bed to make it more comfy. Laundry was free (hang dry only though). I had my own toilet (the squat kind though) and sink. The bath was large and can be reheated, which was awesome. I asked for no meals but in the morning, he snuck me a couple of onigiri anyway, and then gave me a fantastic packed lunch as osettai (not just onigiri but fish, tamagoyaki, half a croquette, a slice of orange). ¥4860 for my night's stay.
23. Ikadaya (between Uchiko and T44)
Really nice ryokan with friendly hosts. This reservation was made for me by the lovely staff at Uwajima Youth Hostel and they were a bit hesitant to accept a foreigner due to language concerns, but they still accepted me (knowing I could speak a little Japanese; not sure how it would have went if I spoke none). The food was delicious and you sit on a floor cusion next to a smoldering fire pit - really unique. ¥8800 for the night, including 2 meals.
24. Omogo Ryokan (near T44)
Stayed here for 2 nights (to spend the 2nd day going to T45 and back). Runs more like a minshuku than a ryokan. Truthfully, it came highly recommended in the guidebook but I would say it's just ok - not great, not bad. Except for my rice and tea, my food is cold (though the flavor is good). My room is comfortable and clean. The owner is nice but she only speaks Japanese, so we can't converse much. She's much chattier with guests who are fluent in Japanese. ¥7000/night including 2 meals.
25. Sen Guesthouse Matsuyama (Matsuyama city, near T51 and Dogo Onsen)
I had been here before so I booked a dorm bed here again. Incredibly nice, friendly, and helpful staff. The owners (an American/Japanese couple) and one of their current staff have done the pilgrimage and can offer advice or just chat about it (in English or Japanese!). Convenience stores, restaurants, a shopping arcade, and Dogo Onsen are all nearby. Laundry machines available (paid), although you can also hang your clothes up on their rooftop patio. I highly recommend this place. ¥2800/night for my female dorm bed.
26. Cyclo no Ie (Imabari, right next to the JR station)
Geared more towards cyclists (usually for the Shimanami Kaido) but all types of guests, including henro, are welcome. Very friendly and helpful staff, most of whom speak decent to great English. You get a map of the area on check in, highlighting recommended restaurants with Imabari's specialty foods and sights (I went to two of the restaurants and one of the cafes and they were all fantastic). The whole hostel is beautiful and looks pretty new. ¥2500/night for a dorm or capsule bed. Not much in ways of locked storage, though. Lots of restaurants and a couple of convenience stores nearby. Coin laundry available, although the dryer was really expensive. You can hang dry your clothes on the clotheslines, though.
27. Saijo Urban Hotel (Saijo City, right next to the JR station)
Really nice, comfortable hotel. Surprisingly, I got a brand new towel from them as osettai when I checked in. During the day, there was usually someone at the front desk who knew some basic English. There is a cafe and restaurant on site but I didn't try them. Lawson's literally right next door. Vending machines selling drinks and cup ramen on the first floor. Coin laundry and public bath available (in addition to the usual shower in your room). ¥6300/night for my single room.
Kagawa Prefecture
28. Coco Cross (Miyoshi Town, near Mt. Unpenji and next to Awa-Ikeda Station; technically in Tokushima Prefecture)
Stayed here because Minshuku Okada was fully booked and Miyoshi Town had the closest accommodations and this was cheap (though on the farther end of town). The building is old and run down but the furniture and things like that look newer. According to their website, they are in the process of renovating an old hotel so it makes sense. They have a cafe/bar/restaurant but it closes on Mondays and Tuesdays and I stayed on a Tuesday. When I resigned myself to another night of convenience store food, the owner later called up to my room to tell me about buying bento boxes for a discounted price at a nearby supermarket. The owner is really helpful and speaks good English. 7-11 right across the street.
29. Hatagoya (Kanonji City, near T68/69)
A little motel that was comfortable enough. A couple of restaurants nearby. Laundry facilities available but were kind of expensive. They serve bread and juice in the mornings as a complimentary breakfast.
30. Mi Casa Su Casa (Zentsuji City, near T76)
Located right next to Konzoji Temple and literally beside Konzoji Station. It's a small guesthouse so don't expect much but it was very comfortable (the beds have the usual thin futon mattresses on top of a western-style mattress so i slept really well, haha). The owner speaks good English and is incredibly friendly and helpful. For example, after a couple of American henro went to buy food, a storm blew in and she went out with umbrellas to try to find them. Washing machine available but hang dry only. Free bicycle rentals available. Not recommended for very light sleepers due to being next to a train station, but personally I had no issues with noise. ¥2500/night for female dorm bed.
31. Wakabaya Guesthouse (Takamatsu City)
Really beautiful Guesthouse with a friendly owner who speaks good English and French in addition to his native Japanese. His 2-year-old son is ridiculously adorable. Everything was clean and comfortable. A few small restaurants nearby, and a 7-11 is a few minutes walk away. Washing machine available for ¥100/wash but hang dry only. ¥3000/night for mixed dorm bed (only mixed dorm available; no female-only dorm). Kotoden Hanazono Station nearby.
32. Hotel Sun Route Tokushima
Super nice hotel with a public bath on the top floor. Right across from Tokushima Station. Front desk staff seemed to have a basic command of English and English information pamphlet for the hotel is available. ¥8800/night.
Stayed here because Minshuku Okada was fully booked and Miyoshi Town had the closest accommodations and this was cheap (though on the farther end of town). The building is old and run down but the furniture and things like that look newer. According to their website, they are in the process of renovating an old hotel so it makes sense. They have a cafe/bar/restaurant but it closes on Mondays and Tuesdays and I stayed on a Tuesday. When I resigned myself to another night of convenience store food, the owner later called up to my room to tell me about buying bento boxes for a discounted price at a nearby supermarket. The owner is really helpful and speaks good English. 7-11 right across the street.
29. Hatagoya (Kanonji City, near T68/69)
A little motel that was comfortable enough. A couple of restaurants nearby. Laundry facilities available but were kind of expensive. They serve bread and juice in the mornings as a complimentary breakfast.
30. Mi Casa Su Casa (Zentsuji City, near T76)
Located right next to Konzoji Temple and literally beside Konzoji Station. It's a small guesthouse so don't expect much but it was very comfortable (the beds have the usual thin futon mattresses on top of a western-style mattress so i slept really well, haha). The owner speaks good English and is incredibly friendly and helpful. For example, after a couple of American henro went to buy food, a storm blew in and she went out with umbrellas to try to find them. Washing machine available but hang dry only. Free bicycle rentals available. Not recommended for very light sleepers due to being next to a train station, but personally I had no issues with noise. ¥2500/night for female dorm bed.
31. Wakabaya Guesthouse (Takamatsu City)
Really beautiful Guesthouse with a friendly owner who speaks good English and French in addition to his native Japanese. His 2-year-old son is ridiculously adorable. Everything was clean and comfortable. A few small restaurants nearby, and a 7-11 is a few minutes walk away. Washing machine available for ¥100/wash but hang dry only. ¥3000/night for mixed dorm bed (only mixed dorm available; no female-only dorm). Kotoden Hanazono Station nearby.
32. Hotel Sun Route Tokushima
Super nice hotel with a public bath on the top floor. Right across from Tokushima Station. Front desk staff seemed to have a basic command of English and English information pamphlet for the hotel is available. ¥8800/night.