Interview Interview

I had been looking for somewhere we could stay with our dog for a long time. Then an acquaintance told me this was the best place for it. That was around the time of the pandemic. Staying here really surprised me — it was nothing like the “pet-friendly inn” I had imagined. We have come back every year since.

Above all, the forest is wonderful. Surrounded by trees, the tension simply leaves your shoulders. Whenever I come here new ideas start to appear. Stepping a little away from daily life, my thoughts sort themselves out. You could say I come here for the inspiration.

Above all, it feels good every single time. The cleaning is genuinely thorough — it looks just as it did years ago, almost new. You never sense that someone stayed here before you. Every detail is properly cared for. That is the professional hospitality of the owners. The cleaning staff are all lovely people too. This is a family the neighbourhood clearly loves.

Yes, we are originally from Toyama. But we grew so fond of this place that, before we knew it, we were spending more and more time in Noto. We have stayed in several of the cottages. Taking whichever one happens to be free is part of the fun. Each has its own qualities.

We take it slowly, with our dog. A BBQ in the evening is the usual. The owner helps light the fire, so there is nothing to worry about. Then we open the wine we brought and take our time. I do the cooking. Of the cottages, the Log House is my favourite — that atmosphere is hard to find anywhere else.

The climate is very good. Compared with Toyama or Kanazawa, summers are cooler and winters milder, with less snow. The sea is close and there are many trees, so even in summer the air stays cool — nothing like summer in the city. And there are plenty of hot springs, which is a real pleasure.

Honestly, for this quality, and with dogs welcome too — at this scale they could charge a good deal more. Prices are rising everywhere, after all. Yet it stays fair, and I always find myself impressed that it costs this little. Good things are worth what they cost. That is how I see it.

There are very few places of this quality where you can stay with your dog. It is popular enough that weekends and summer fill up quickly. Even so, one stay will show you why. I have stayed at many places, and this is the best. Do try it for yourself.