Guesthouses and Airbnb, which we hear about a lot these days, are said to be increasingly offering affordable and high-quality accommodations.

However, unlike a hotel, there are shared spaces and you can't enjoy complete privacy, so it might be a bit daunting for first-timers.

This time, I (a woman in her 20s) actually stayed there alone for the first time.
I'll share what I saw and what I felt!

<Contents>
1. I stayed at a place like this.
1-1 A cozy chat space
1-2 Excellent cleanliness ◎ Shared space
1-3 Compact Guest Rooms
2. My impressions after actually staying there
3. In conclusion - Let's follow the rules and have a pleasant time -

1. I stayed at a place like this.

The three criteria I narrowed down when researching guesthouses for this article were: safe for women, within walking distance of a Yui Rail station, and having a space for chatting and socializing.

I checked reviews from top to bottom, and was drawn to the description of "clean and homey," so I booked "Sora House."

This "Sora House" boasts excellent access, being just a 2-minute walk from Miebashi Station on the Yui Rail line.
After exiting the ticket gate at the north exit and crossing two pedestrian crossings, you will see a sign on your left.Check in on the 3rd floor, up the stairs.
There is no elevator, so you are responsible for carrying your own luggage up and down.Going up to the third floor and opening the door, you're greeted by a chat space.
Check-in is from 3 PM, but you can leave your luggage on the 15rd floor until then.It's reassuring to know that you can store valuables in lockers with locks.
You will need to pay a 1,000 yen deposit in advance, so please don't forget to have cash ready.Below, we will provide a more detailed description of each space.

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1-1 A cozy chat space

The third floor, where the check-in counter is located, is a shared space with a living area.
The space is filled with lush greenery and has a warm, inviting atmosphere thanks to the use of wood.The building on the left in the photo is the check-in counter, which also serves as the manager's office.
If you have any questions during your stay, please feel free to contact us.

There's also a tourist information map handmade by the staff in front of the reception desk.Further inside the room, there was an ironing area.There is a rule that free computers are available for 15 minutes at a time.
Furthermore, Wi-Fi was available not only in the living room but also in the guest rooms, and the signal strength was excellent.This is what the dining area that everyone can use looks like.The light blue shelf on the right is a corner where you can freely use plates, cups, and cutlery. There are even beer glasses and wine glasses.

The things I've introduced are free for anyone to use.
The lights are turned off completely at midnight, but until then you're free to spend your time however you like.

Because it was raining that day, the place was so crowded from around 21 PM until lights out that there were hardly any empty seats.
Not only Japanese people, but guests from various countries were enjoying themselves in a friendly atmosphere.

Actually, there isn't a single television in this Sora House.
But when I saw people enjoying drinks and lively conversations at night, I actually thought it was nice.

1-2 Excellent cleanliness ◎ Shared space

Information about the plumbing and water facilities.
Right next to the dining area is a tiled kitchen. It's available from 7 AM to midnight.There are two induction cooktops.We stock almost every essential kitchen item, including pots, pans, bowls, and colanders.

The great thing is that you can also use seasonings like salt, pepper, and salad oil.I didn't see anyone cooking for themselves during my stay, but the microwave was very popular during meal times.There's a 24-hour supermarket just a two-minute walk from the inn, which is incredibly convenient. I saw many people taking out prepared meals and bento boxes. You can also use the refrigerator as much as you like.

Let's separate our trash properly.Body wash and shampoo with conditioner are provided, but if you have a preference, it might be best to bring your own.

The toilets are equipped with bidet functions, and there is one for men and one for women on each of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of the guest rooms.

There is one hair dryer in the bathroom.
The washing machine is available for use for 200 yen per load. This is great for those staying for an extended period.On sunny days, you can use the rooftop drying area, and on other days, you can also rent a dryer (for a fee).We also have a dedicated drying area for women, so you can dry your underwear with peace of mind.

I used all the facilities, and everything was spotlessly clean and well-maintained. It's not particularly spacious, but I was impressed by the good manners of the other users.

1-3 Compact Guest Rooms

There are a total of five types of guest rooms at Sora House.

The accommodations include mixed-gender rooms, female-only rooms, rooms with bunk beds, and twin and single rooms. This time, I stayed in a female-only dormitory.
I booked it through Jalan about a week before my stay for 2,000 yen per night. (So cheap!)

The room is on the 3rd floor, the same floor as the common area.The rooms are capsule-style, with a total of 10 spaces.
Each booth is separated by a curtain, as you can see.

Inside is like this.It's a compact space, just big enough for one person and one large piece of luggage.
I had a Boston bag, so I was able to store everything with plenty of room to spare, but some people with large carry-on bags left them in the living room.

Each bed has a power outlet, light, hanger, and a small storage shelf.
Even after lights out, you can still use the bedside lamp, so you can rest assured.

I was worried about what would happen if it was too noisy at night and I couldn't sleep, but that wasn't the case at all!

The guesthouse's lattice doors are locked after 22 PM, so you can rest assured about security.
If you check out before 7 AM, all you have to do is put the key in the mailbox – it's that easy.

By the way, smoking is prohibited throughout the building.
As someone who dislikes the smell of cigarettes, I was very grateful for this.
*There are two designated smoking areas outside the building.

2. My impressions after actually staying there

This is my first time staying in a guesthouse.

Since everything in a hotel is private, I honestly felt a little uneasy about using shared spaces.

However, when I actually stayed there, I was surprised to find that, contrary to my initial concerns, the guests were very considerate and shared the facilities.
I was impressed by how well-mannered everyone was, even though there were guests from many different countries.

Above all, the staff were very friendly and spent a lot of time chatting with me during my stay.
I realized that I wouldn't have had this kind of experience at a hotel, and at the same time, I didn't feel lonely at all.

Also, I had the impression that guesthouses were only for young people, but I was surprised to see people of all ages there.

It's no wonder they have so many repeat customers!

3. In conclusion - Let's follow the rules and have a pleasant time -

The photo shows the hotel's terms of use. The rules are densely written on an A4 sheet of paper.

I carefully read the rules before paying at check-in, but honestly, my first thought was, "Are there really this many rules?"

However, since people of various nationalities are living together under the same roof, our stance is that we cannot allow someone to stay unless they agree to it.
As I've mentioned many times before, it's no wonder that the guests staying there have such good manners.

By the way, when staying at an empty house, you are required to show identification. Please don't forget to bring it with you.

Please follow the rules and enjoy a comfortable stay at the guesthouse!
If you're planning a trip to Naha, why not consider this option?

2-24-15 Kumoji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture 900-0015, Japan (3F) 2-minute walk from Yui Rail Miebashi Station Parking: None Tel & Fax: 098-861-9939 Check-in: 15:00 - 22:00 Check-out: 11:00 Official HP:http://www.mco.ne.jp/~sora39/index.htm Please make your hotel reservation here. Rakuten Travel