Haretoke cafe — Restaurant in Miyoshi

Amongst all the highlights of my Japan trip, this refunctioned elementary school undoubtedly leaves behind the most memorable display of warmth and unmatched hospitality. When the enthusiasm of my bus trip alongside the near canyon and its beautiful turquoise waters was suddenly crushed by a missed connection and the prospect of a 1.5 hour uphill hike, Haretoke Cafe revealed its kindness for a first time and picked us up by car. We were immediately welcomed into the hotel by freshly prepared pizza and delicious coffee, as well as the adorable stray cats that live here. The room we received was very beautifully remodeled, with the old school's classroom aesthetic well preserved, but made very comfortable and cozy. Everything here – from the interior design of the rooms and the café, to the hospitality and candid warmth of the personnel – follows the same attentiveness and welcoming nature that this place is imbued with. Equally mentionable is the charming sauna built right next to the school, that is completed by the adjacent cold pool. After the impressions of all the sights Japan has to offer, the moonlit view into the wilderness of the valley's woods offered a completely different atmosphere – as though time stood still. Haretoke Cafe is a place I would return to without hesitation, not only by merit of its peaceful surroundings, but above all by the very spirit it...

So this was our lodging for one night - an abandoned elementary school in Miyoshi. 出合小学校。I admit I'm kind of creeped out by the thought at first but hey, YOLO right??? 😂😋😚||When we were looking for accommodations in Iya Valley, we realised that the area had few options and were not very accessible. The idea of staying in an abandoned school was both interesting and frightening!!!||However, the pictures we saw on Booking.com swayed our decision, and the novelty of experiencing something like this was just too good to pass up. And now that I've stayed the night, I highly recommend this place!!!||I already missed the two ladies who made us pizza and served us coffee, and shared with us a picture yearbook of the school. They could have left as it was past working hours when we arrived to check in at the hostel. But they stayed for us. And I realised we didn't even manage to get their names!!! 😭😭😭||I wished our room was warmer though but it is winter anyway. The Internet/WiFi signal was also almost zero. Hmmm... But I guess this place would be awesome in summer!! I'm already imagining having BBQ at night on the front...

So this was our lodging for one night - an abandoned elementary school in Miyoshi. 出合小学校。I admit I'm kind of creeped out by the thought at first but hey, YOLO right??? 😂😋😚||When we were looking for accommodations in Iya Valley, we realised that the area had few options and were not very accessible. The idea of staying in an abandoned school was both interesting and frightening!!!||However, the pictures we saw on Booking.com swayed our decision, and the novelty of experiencing something like this was just too good to pass up. And now that I've stayed the night, I highly recommend this place!!!||I already missed the two ladies who made us pizza and served us coffee, and shared with us a picture yearbook of the school. They could have left as it was past working hours when we arrived to check in at the hostel. But they stayed for us. And I realised we didn't even manage to get their names!!! 😭😭😭||I wished our room was warmer though but it is winter anyway. The Internet/WiFi signal was also almost zero. Hmmm... But I guess this place would be awesome in summer!! I'm already imagining having BBQ at night on the front...