EN / JP
Guidelines for your stay
The Setouchi region is a special place, with its roots steeped deeply in a respect for the natural world around it- be that the sparkling inland sea lining the peaceful harbour of Onomichi City, the swaying bamboo groves and sandy beaches of Mukaishima Island, or the myriad of shrines and temples that have remained intact for centuries thanks to the care and upkeep of diligent residents.
Part of this being Onomichi's reality is due to the fact that the area is largely unaffected by earthquakes, and another part is due to it not being hit by the bombs of WW2. It a Japanese Heritage site that has flourished thanks to not only its storied past but its willingness to preserve this harmonious way of life whilst embracing the changing times.
We ask that you are aware that whilst the house build is modern, it runs on systems that are older than those that you may be used to in other parts of Japan. Please read and be aware of the below warnings before choosing to book with us.
Caveats
There are two floors in the home, and whilst they are both open plan, the lower floor tends to be a little bit dark during the day. We have plenty of lightbulb points so please do turn those on (or off!) freely until you get your preferred levels of light! Opening the window blind on the lower floor also helps to brighten the space.
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A railroad runs close to the home, with local trains running frequently during the day and freighter trains using the tracks during the night. The noise disruption is unavoidable, so for those of you who are light sleepers, please do be aware of this. We provide earplugs for our guests as an amenity.
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Water used in the homes runs almost directly into the seas, so we ask you to not pour chemicals or food waste down the sinks or drains. Rubbish disposal in the Hiroshima prefecture is strict so we will provide a guide on simple sorting of refuse.
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The population of Onomichi is generally on the older side and can be quite sensitive to noise disruption. Please do not play loud music, have parties, or have the TV on a high volume as you may disturb your neighbours. The houses are all connected and, like many old homes in Japan, have thin walls, so please do be aware of noise pollution.
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The sanitation and waste water infrastructure in Onomichi are based on an older model than in other metropolitan areas of Japan- we strive to ensure that this system runs cleanly with monthly scheduled visits by specialists. Regularly ventilating and changing the air in the home discourages damp and rids the home of any stale air or unpleasant smells that may come in from the front steps, which are close by to the water run offs.
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Unwelcome pests like insects are an inevitable side effect to staying in a place so connected with nature. In the summer, insects may come into the home; we do our best to prevent this but this is just a note to mention that they may be bigger than you are used to. In case of one being in the home, please do not panic- they are harmless and we have insect repeller sprays and various potions available to deter them. They are stored next to the cleaning products in the utility area.
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We hope your time in Onomichi is pleasant, but ask you to be respectful of the differences it has to major metropolitan areas of Japan. Part of its charm is the fact that it still does things in a slightly more ‘old fashioned’ way. If any of the above caveats become an issue or you find yourself being adversely affected, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can provide you with help.
House Rules
Below is a list of house rules that we respectfully request you to adhere to during your stay. We are in regular contact with our neighbors and if we find that ANY of these rules have been broken we reserve the right to investigate further. You can find our full Terms & Conditions statement here as well as via the end of this page.
Smoking of any kind (including heatless, vape and or e-cigarette) is strictly prohibited and is not allowed anywhere in or around the property. This includes outside on the veranda or pathway to the house. All of the homes are connected and the smell can permeate easily and disturb your neighbors. There is also a huge fire risk involved due to the houses being wooden! There are well labelled and dedicated smoking areas in the shopping arcade and around the city. Do not smoke outside of designated areas as this is frowned upon and may lead to a fine from city officials.
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Using hair dye or hair colour of any kind is is strictly prohibited in the house. Please do not dye your hair anywhere in the home as you may stain the furnishings and walls and it will incur a large repair fee.
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Please follow and implement a high standard of general cleanliness and order to the property during your stay. Keeping a good level of hygiene in the home will ensure that the house will be in good condition for future visitors. Do not litter in or around the property. This includes both the house and the city, too- we want to keep Onomichi beautiful!
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As a general reminder, please be friendly, respectful and polite towards your neighbors, especially when passing them on the pathway! They are residents here and as such we must respect that they will remain here long after your stay. During early and or late hours please do not talk loudly on the pathway outside the house as they may be disturbed by the noise pollution.
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Playing loud music, hosting large gatherings and or parties at any time of the day is strictly prohibited. Do not use the property in a way that may disrupt others. Refrain from slamming doors, playing the TV loudly or raising your voice to a disturbing level. Try to keep general noise levels down between the hours of 9PM- 8AM so as not to disturb your neighbors.
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Remove your shoes and leave them inside the concrete entranceway (NOT outside the door) before walking onto the wooden floors, and do your best to ensure that you do not wear outdoor shoes whilst in the home. This is a customary practice in Japan. Slippers are provided by the front door.
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All provided linens, towels, amenities, tableware etc can be used whilst on the premises. If something breaks or gets damaged please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make adequate arrangements. In addition, do not move or rearrange any large furniture in the home. This could lead to damage not only to the house but to your own person.
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Before you leave the house to explore, ensure all windows are closed/ locked and air conditioning/ heating units have been switched off. If we find that any utility has been used to excess, we reserve the right to issue a fee to cover this. If you are going to be gone for a day trip, try to make sure the lights are switched off, too!
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Departure Guidelines
Our lovely cleaning and housekeeping team will be along within two days of your departure to clean and take stock of the home. Please be sure the house is in good condition when you leave- we recommend taking the following steps:
Rinse wet room area thoroughly
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Wipe down surfaces (ie kitchen counter, sinks, table etc)
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Make sure any used cutlery, utensils, etc are washed and put away
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Seal any leftover household waste in a bag
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If you have any used towels left over, please place them inside the washing machine (do not switch on machine)
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Close and lock any open windows
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Check both air conditioning units are switched off.
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Please be sure to empty the fridge/ freezer of ALL contents before leaving. This ensures a hygienic environment for both our team and future guests.
Triple check that you have ALL of your belongings with you. We will note anything left behind and arrange a day to collect belongings or alternatively send them forward to you for a small delivery fee.
Upon your final day, when checking out, please place the house key in the metal dish beside the door. Lock the door by twisting the handle behind you.
Please note that if our team arrives to an excessively dirty or damaged home you may be charged an extra cleaning/ repair fee. Do your best to leave the home in the same condition it was in when you entered.