Minshuku Iwakawa
Minshuku Iwakawa descritpion
Inn Minshuku Iwakawa sells fast on our site. A 4-minute drive from the Port of Miyanoura, Minshuku Iwakawa offers affordable Japanese-style accommodation, rooftop barbecue facilities and free-use washing machines. Free Wi-Fi is available, and a free shuttle is provided from the port.
Iwakawa Minshuku is a 25-minute drive from Unesco World Heritage Site Jomon Sugi, and from the gorgeous Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine. Yakushima Airport is a 22-minute drive away, and the hotel is a 15-minute walk from the Port of Miyanoura.
Air-conditioned rooms come with a tatami (woven mat) floor, a low table, seating cushions and traditional futon bedding. Shared bathroom facilities are for private use, and offer soap and shampoo.
The Minshuku's shared kitchen is furnished with a stove, microwave, fridge and kitchenware. Barbecue facilities on Iwakawa's roof of can be freely used upon reservation, and clothes can be dried on the rooftop or in coin-operated clothes dryers.
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Facilities of Minshuku Iwakawa
Outdoors ：BBQ Facilities
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Activities ：Fishing | Bikes Available (free)
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is needed).
Services ：Baggage Storage
General ：Family Rooms | Air Conditioning
Reviews for Minshuku Iwakawa
Review 1：Didn't find a place to charge my phone in my room, but not a problem for me.
Review 2：Nice spot to catch bus for different sightseeing places. I was able to choose a bigger room as I arrived earlier than the other person.
Review 3：i liked it all. I think there is limited English spoken but the staff are friendly and happy to help so that is not a problem. Watch out as the sign for the minshuku is only written in Japanese. It's above a fishing equipment shop and a sign in Japanese tells you to check in at the shop.
Review 4：Convenient location (~on main road 10 min walk from Miyanoura Port, right by the bus stop), comfortable, clean minshuku-good value for money. I travelled on the offseason and was the only guest on my floor so it was even more comfortable.
Review 5：Thanks so much for the free shuttle services! Very clean accommodation. Free bycicles. Very good information provided concerning local buses, sightseeing, supermarket etc (leaflets, info sheets, maps...). Good wifi. Clean towels every day. 3min to bus station. Quiet area (we lived in the annex building).
Review 6：I didn't have a bad experience.
Review 7：The staff were very nice. The hotel is older but the rooms are clean, and it's a good place to stay for the price. It's right next to a bus stop.
Review 8：The stairs are super narrow going up and down - BE CAREFUL! Also, the town "wake up calls" are fairly loud. If you're not used to it in Japan, it can really disturb your early morning slumber. I am though, so I enjoyed their different wake-up melody.
Review 9：This hostel was pretty sweet. I believe that in situations where there aren't a lot of guests, such as was the case when I visited, everyone gets spread out into separate rooms. Spreading out was super nice, especially since I'm a sleep-talker.
Review 10：Staff had very limited English. Tried to arrange shuttle pickup, but could not find hosts (maybe coz I'm Asian and blend in with locals). Walk to port is about 20 min
Review 11：Clean and Comfortable bed. Toilets clean also. Friendly staff (although limited english skills). Good location for catching bus to Shiratani. Nearest convinience store is 5-10 min walk. Also a 'big' supermarket about 15min walk. A/C in own room. Free washing machine with powder. Try the black ramen across the bridge
Review 12：Waking up to Japanese news at 7am due to thin walls separating our room and the common TV room.
Review 13：They have two locations. we first stayed at the one on the main avenue. Location of that one was good, it was very clean and shower was available 24hr. Last night of our stay we moved to another location on the side road. Parking lot was not available. It was not very clean and shower was available only 15:00-22:00. AC and wi-fi were working perfect at both location.
Review 14：The main issue was only being able to shower between 3pm and 10pm. I was in the annex which is essentially where the manager lives and rents out her rooms. She doesn't speak any English but I used my phone to translate and she was as helpful as she could be.
Review 15：The location is good, easy to walk from Miyanoura port. There was space to park my rental car. The room was clean but basic.
Review 16：The owner was great. We bought some bus tickets that we did not use and decided to leave to her, so maybe she can give them to other tourists, but she gave us money back meaning that she will have to go to another part of the island to get a refund.
Review 17：the owners were very helpful with directions even though we could not communicate due to language barrier. one of them gave me ice cubes when i sprained my ankle.
Review 18：Haven't noticed any disadvantages during our 1 night stay.
Review 19：Very good location - 15 seconds to the bus station. Good staff - even after checking out, they let us take a shower after hiking. Clean rooms and comfortable beds.
Review 20：Clean place, free washing machine, great wifi connection. The ferry 10 min walk and buses stops just front of the hotel to any direction. Very nice old couple run the place. If you looking a place for base for everyday tracking this if for you.
Review 21：Plastic toilet was a little unwelcoming.
Review 22：The room was clean and convientently located with prime hiking spots just a 30 min bus ride and two supermarkets close by. The location was also just a few blocks away from the ferry port which was an added bonus.
Review 23：The air conditioning didn't work when we were there. Staff didn't speak any English. There is only one bathroom, and you cannot access it in the morning or late evening.
Review 24：We were not in the main building, but somewhere else, in a very nice building and in a quiet street.
Review 25：As others had mentioned, the walls are thin and the other guests and owners can always be heard through them. Not a big deal overall, as Yakushima isn't really the kind of place you visit to spend time indoors.
Review 26：The location and price were unbeatable for what I was looking for. It's next to a bus stop and a short walk from some of the few restaurants I found in Miyanoura. Very convenient if you don't plan on renting a vehicle.
Review 27：It doesn't say exacly where annex is located and that it's private home and family is with small children leave under your room. It was sometimes very noisy.
Review 28：The room was big enough for 3 people. We had all what we need in it.
Review 29：There's literally nothing bad about Yakushima
Review 30：Huge room (for 2) ! Free laundry! Amazing view of Miyanoura! Nice staff(who run the fishing shop downstairs!) Oofuri and also shower head!
Review 31：The hostel is not far away from the port (approx. 10 min by foot) and is near some good restaurants and a bus station. The Wi-Fi worked perfectly and the room was big, clean (as well as the bathroom) and comfortable. Our host was very friendly and gave us a bus timetable and recommendations where our free time would be spent best.
Review 32：Great value for money for people on a budget staying just a few nights. The staff were immensly helpful in planning our stay on the island, renting a car and finding nice restaurants.
Review 33：nothing
Review 34：I very much enjoyed my stay at Mishuku Iwakawa. I stayed in the annex, some 300m behind the main building. It feels like contryside. The room was clean and cozy. The owners didn't speak much English but were nevertheless helpful and disponible. Good location, bus stop for buses to hiking trail heads was right in front on the main street. Some 15min walk from the ferry port. I would stay again at this property.
Review 35：The walls are quite thin, and unfortunately while we were there some of the other guests were pretty noisy (though they were shh-ed before midnight).
Review 36：The location was fabulous; it's walking distance from the miyanoura port, and there's a bus stop right outside. There's also a great car rental place within walking distance. The staff were very friendly.
Review 37：my noisy moron neighbours...how the hell can you bang a sliding door?
Review 38：very helpful staff. bus stop in front of door. supermarket in walking distance. a fantastic local restaurant hidden in next alley. laundromat at your service
Review 39：you are only allowed to use the bath room for showering and bathin between 3 pm and 10 pm which limits the shower/bathing time greatly when the minshuku is crowded (and you can't shower in the morning!)
Review 40：owners are very friendly and give a lot and good advice about everything, not far from a bus station, close to the Yaku Shrine. Big rooms, nice for a longer stay on Yakushima
Review 41：This is a great place to stay at while visiting beautiful Yakushima. It's close to the ferry harbor and really close to a bus stop and supermarkets. You have everything you need close by. I loved my little tatami room!
Review 42：Like most Japanese accommodations they can get very cold in the winter. Especially shared spaces so bring warm socks and thicker slippers. Some indoor smoking downstairs.
Review 43：Five minute walk to bus stop and main street. Good for budget travelers with walking distance to supermarket and shared kitchen to cook your own food. Clean, friendly staff.
Review 44：The check-in time is 9:30 and if you don't wake up and get out by then a house-keeper comes and knocks on your door. If you're planning on getting up early anyway its fine though.
Review 45：The room was very comfortable and the wifi was okay even though it was a little slow.
Review 46：Very loud (Pashiko next door, thin walls) Old (but not dirty!)
Review 47：Location (directly at Miyanoura Bus Station) Free Shuttle to Miyanoura Port Nice and helpful staff
Review 48：The location of the guesthouse I stayed (annex building) is 300m away from the published location in booking.com. The location is slightly less convenient compare to the main guesthouse. There is only one bathroom/shower in the annex guesthouse. So, get ready to wait 2 to 3 hours to take turn to take shower especially after coming back from trekking.
Review 49：Clean and good value.
Review 50：the boss is warm heart. Give us 3 times free pick-up. If you want pick-up from port, you can let the information sercive call for the hotel and them will arrive in 5 minutes.
Review 51：Staff had no English ability. I had to communicate with my limited Japanese.
Review 52：The property manager went above and beyond booking my taxi to Shiratani hike in the morning and helping me order my bento boxes for my hike. She also made sure I got back safely from the hike.
Review 53：It is more about the city itself, you should strongly consider renting a car since the bus system takes time and the operating times are not that frequent. Most of all it gives you more freedom to plan activities.
Review 54：The single rooms were large enough, bathroom was okay, free laundry self-service, really nice people who runs place and was offering advices where to go. Transportation between the guest house and port can be arranged before arriving.
Review 55：Pachinko is the closest neighbor, closes at 10pm and is rather loud, which is a problem if you'd like to get up at 4am (for a long hike) and get some proper sleep beforehand.
Review 56：The bus stop if right in front of minshuku. A lot of tourist information available (pamphlets, timetables, advertisement of local food places, rentals and tour companies). You can use washing machines for free.
Review 57：Kitchen and common bathroom were not clean at all. Big spider in the bathroom, I worked in a zoo so I'm not afraid of those but I mean it was HUGE. Staff never really there and are not so interested in chatting or giving counsels for sightseeing which was a first for me in Japan, pretty disappointed.
Review 58：The wifi worked great, good location near bus stop to go around the island ( even if Yakushima bus network clearly need some enhancing ), small room with tatami and clean towel / sheets but don't expect much more. Microwave and fridge ready for you, but no free tea or drinking water.
Review 59：Unfortunately, there was a lot of noise from the pachinko parlour next door lasting late into the night and spoiling an otherwise excellent stay. Anyone not a fan of Frozen or hits from the 90s would do well to bring some earplugs. This problem is only likely to affect rooms on one side of the building.
Review 60：Nice little hostel above a fishing shop. The man I met was very helpful, giving lots of information about buses and places to visit. The room was clean and comfortable and there were stairs up to the rooftop, where there was a great view of the mountains.
Review 61：Sound insolation is very poor.
Review 62：Close to the Ferry terminal and the bus stop is in front of the inn. You can ask for bento reservation.
Review 63：Be careful with hot water, I was burned.
Review 64：Poor English.
Review 65：The room and the facilities.
Review 66：Very friendly, helpful hosts. Clean and silent room. We stayed at the annex building.
Review 67：Amazingly friendly staff, home-like atmosphere and good location!
Review 68：* One shower & toilet for several rooms — traffic sometimes ^^ * Creaky & short beds
Review 69：* In general good budget place to 1-2 nights
Review 70：smelly room, can hear someone walking hallway
Review 71：staff is kind, room is clean, staff brings me clean towels everyday
Review 72：nature place more for hikers
Review 73：Staff doesn't speak English.
Review 74：Very simple hotel for a good price. It's clean. Fridge and hot water available. Free washing machine.
Review 75：The room door lock
Review 76：Washing machine was available Tatami :)
Review 77：Very noisy rooms, loud TV from other room, paper walls, smelly room (like old wet tatami)
Review 78：Nice breakfast place close by.
Review 79：pachinko parlour next door until at least 10pm, but wasn''t as noisy as some
Review 80：comfortable good size tatami mat room with small kitchen
Review 81：Very nice host (free ride to Miyanoura Port), good beds, washing machines an dryers
Review 82：Just wifi didn't work that well
Review 83：Hosts were very nice and helpful, without even speaking english. Quiet, yet very good location. Very clean
Review 84：Conditioning was semi working.
Review 85：Excellent hosts
Review 86：The staff was most accomodating and nicest!!
Review 87：Walls are really thin, but I was almost alone, so no problem
Review 88：Everything worked smooth, no complications
Review 89：The noisy pachinko place next door shuts down at 22:30.
Review 90：We stayed in the japanese style room which was clean relative spacious.
Review 91：amazing accommodation, clean with wifi and the location is perfect, they have the bus stop in front of Minshuku, so for visit the island is great!!!
Review 92：Pachinko right next to the window, really loud, but stops at around 10pmish
Review 93：really nice staff and very close to the bus stop. Room was super big and comfy
Review 94：None. We loved it
Review 95：The minshuku was perfectly located in a living area. (The annex building). Spacious Japanese room and there was a nice kitchen. It was a good base to explore the island; close to the bus stop, poort and restaurants. Drive-in ga car recommandeer to see it all. Take you international drivers licens with you, we were not able to rent a car anywhere....
Review 96：Very friendly and helpful staff with good local knowledge. A nice and spacious tatami room for a good price. Good location, everything in Mianoura is within walking distance and for longer trips, a bus stop is close by. Met some incredible people here as well. No complaints at all!
Review 97：Not specially clean, room smelled like smoke. Pachinko next to the window, difficult to sleep until they close if you mind noise
Review 98：Pretty comfortable, host made effort to accommodate. Good wifi. Fridge, microwave, kettle, available. Spacious enough.
Review 99：Nothing to mention.
Review 100：Family run business, situated in two separate buildings in Miyanoura. We booked in the "annex" which is accessed via a small cul-de-sac about 500 metres from the main building on the main road. Despite the language barrier (we know very little Japanese), the owner/manager at the annex did her best to make our experience a wonderful one, nothing was too much trouble, and we had a brilliant stay.
Review 101：The husband & wife that run Minshuku Iwakawa were extremely helpful in terms of giving us advice & recommendations. We felt well looked after.
Review 102：-It would be nice if there is a chance to have breakfast (not only order bento) or buy a bottle of water, cause, everything in the village open very late and close very early. -Bathroom could be nicer, but, for the price is ok.
Review 103：-Location is convinient to go around in Miyanoura and take the buses; even, to walk to the port. -It is quiet. -Staff, although they don't speak much English, are friendly and helpful.
Review 104：- I stood 3 nights, 2 were very quiet but the first one the other guests were noisy. - nothing else, great plan !
Review 105：- great help from the owner and the staff : advice for trekking and for the buses, they sold me cheap waterproof clothes and gave me an umbrella. - the hotel also provides cheap bento (lunch box) if you ask the day before. - soap, shampo and towel for free. - pretty big rooms, not so big but for 30 dollars it is pretty big. - 15 seconds walk from the bus station, and 15 minutes walk from the main harbour.
Review 106：The rooms are quite old. We had trouble with the door lock and were stuck inside the room for a few minutes. Also, the wind caused the windows to rattle loudly, so we couldn't sleep very well. The bath area looks quite old and run-down as well.
Review 107：It's located in the center of Miyanoura, so everything in town is within walking distance. We were given a rather large tatami room with a sink, and there is a water heater, fridge, and microwave in the common area to use.
Review 108：There's a lot of noise from the Pachinko parlor next store but that went away around nine or ten.
Review 109：Staff was friendly and very helpful and low-key. We were the only people staying there, so it may have been different if there were others.
Review 110：Hall smelled like cigarettes (room was ok). Bring ear plugs - we could hear the guy in the next room as well as music from the pachinko place next door.
Review 111：Room and bathroom was clean and comfortable. Wi-Fi was fast. Location good for bus and restaurants and walkable to the port.
Review 112：location. Yakushima has 2 major ports. While the one with more ships is Anbo, this guest house is near the other port...But there's bus just in front of the house.
Review 113：the traditional Japanese room is fantastic. Much larger than expectation.
Review 114：Location was 20 minutes on foot from jetfoil port. Building was a littlerun down. Blankets smelled like cigarette smoke (rooms are not dividedinto smoking/ nonsmoking). Rooms/doors were thin so it was easyto wake if someone was creaking down the hall late at night. Next to themain road, so it was noisy until late at night.
Review 115：Had shuttle available to and from jetfoil port if ordered in advance.Had kitchen and utensils/bowls for free use. Had a 1-person bathtub(in lieu of an onsen). Great access to local buses; bus stop wasliterally 5 steps away. Staff very friendly and helpful if not very English-savvy. Room was impeccably clean. Provided new towels every night.
Review 116：The place looks a bit run down. We met the owner on arrival and when we left three days later - there are no additional services and information provided. Next time, I'd rather choose a place which includes breakfirst as there are not many options in town. There is one place that offers breakfirst though (except on Sundays, when it gets really hard): Just go towards the river and turn right just before the fish shop, it's the first house on the left hand side.
Review 117：conveniently located and has free parking
Review 118：Visibility of english/latin sign (only from across the Street) Narrow staircase to rooms Bathroom shows signs of exposure to tropical climate
Review 119：Bus stop in front of Hotel (no. 23) Room size Free luggage storage Arranged lunch box Free maps & bus schedules
Review 120：It was a longer walk from the port than we'd expected. But it was really our own fault for not booking the free shuttle service from the port that this Minshuku offers! Our room was on the third floor, with no lift but a small winding staircase leading up to it. (Just bear this in mind if you have lots of suitcases...)
Review 121：Really sweet family that runs this place, especially the grandfather (although I'm not sure whether or not they speak English well, as I communicated with them in Japanese). They let us use their roof BBQ (an old gas bottle cut in half, but it did the job) provided we bought our own coal from the supermarket and even invited us the next evening to attend their little grill party. The room (Japanese style twin) was cosy and clean, but you could hear people walking past the room, using the shared bathroom facilities and also slamming doors every now and then... When we left, the owner gave us a lift to the port, even though we hadn't booked the shuttle service. There's also a nice little fishing shop on the ground floor that the family runs. Very kind and warm people.
Review 122：Instructions to get to this minshuku not adequate. Need to mention it is opposite of the bus stop.
Review 123：Nice clean Japanese tatami style room. Access to hiking.
Review 124：This was a wonderful spot. Perfect location in the heart of Miyanoura, on the main road with a bus stop right outside. Free washers and coin dryers were a great plus, and wireless internet worked smoothly. Surrounded by great restaurants, and only a 15-minute walk to the port. The owner was a great host and invited me down for a great night of food and drinks and chats. A great place. There's a shop for fishing gear on the ground floor; go to the shop for check-in and check-out.
Review 125：Vary basic shower room.
Review 126：Perfect location, next to the bus stop. Ideally for an early start hike.
Review 127：the service was great, we even got some deer sashimi and fried ajinko as service!
Review 128：Area noisy until midnight (Pachinko just beside the Minsuku).
Review 129：Comfortable, spacious, friendly and helpful staffs
The Fine Print
To use the hotel's free shuttle, please make a reservation at time of booking.