KERAYA – A Quiet Guesthouse in Rural Japan

Stay in a traditional countryside home beside the clear Kuroson River.
A peaceful place to slow down, explore nature, and experience everyday life in rural Japan.

About Keraya

Keraya is a small guesthouse in the countryside of Kochi, Shikoku.

This traditional Japanese home sits in a quiet village surrounded by mountains and forest, just a short walk from the clear waters of the Kuroson River. Guests stay in simple tatami rooms inside a lived-in Japanese home, sharing the space with the host.

Keraya is not a hotel.
It is a place to experience the rhythm of rural Japan.

Many guests come here while visiting the nearby blacksmith workshop Kurogane, or while exploring the rivers, forests, and mountains of the region.

Life here is simple, quiet, and close to nature.

Keraya is a traditional Japanese countryside house.

Guests stay in tatami rooms with futon bedding. The house has three guest rooms, but usually hosts only one or two groups at a time so that the atmosphere stays relaxed and quiet.

The first floor has a large tatami room suitable for families or small groups.
Upstairs are two smaller rooms, typical of Japanese homes.

The house is simple, comfortable, and full of everyday rural character.

Keraya is best suited for travelers who enjoy:

• rural Japan
• quiet villages
• rivers and mountains
• simple local life
• small guesthouses

It may not be the right place if you are looking for luxury hotels or busy tourist areas.

Keraya is a place to slow down.

Nature Around Keraya

Nature begins just outside the door.

The clear Kuroson River is less than a minute’s walk from the house, with shallow areas for relaxing and deeper pools for swimming.

After heavy rain, the river can even be paddled for short packraft trips — if the timing is right.

Mountains, forests, quiet roads, and hidden rivers are all part of daily life here.

Hosta “TAKA”

Keraya is run by the owner of OKERA Adventures, a local outdoor guide who has spent many years exploring the rivers and mountains of this region.

Before moving here, he worked as a systems engineer, but chose a different path to live closer to nature and outdoor adventure.

Today he guides guests through the landscapes of rural Shikoku — cycling mountain roads, paddling rivers, and exploring hidden corners of the countryside.

At Keraya, guests are welcomed not as customers, but as visitors to a home.

CHABI 🐱

Keraya also has a resident host — Chabi, the house cat.

Chabi was rescued from the Shimanto River in 2022 after being found struggling in the water while the host was guiding a river trip.

He quickly became part of the family.

Chabi is very friendly and often spends his days relaxing in the sun, greeting guests, or riding on the host’s shoulder during short bike rides around the village.

(He stays home during guide trips — safety first.)

If you’d like to read my story with CHABI, please click here.

Rates

KERAYA is a small guesthouse that hosts up to two groups per night.
Solo traveler
    • 1 night: ¥9,000
    • 2 nights: ¥8,000 per night
    • 3 nights or more: ¥7,000 per night
Two or more guests
    • 2 people: ¥7,000 per person / night
    • 3 or more people: ¥6,000 per person / night
These prices are guidelines, so please contact us first.
Rates do not change by season, weekends, or holidays.
(This also makes life easier for the host.)

Rooms on the second floor are discounted by ￥1000 in all cases.

Meals

Meals are generally not provided, and guests usually cook for themselves.The house has a kitchen available for guest use. You are welcome to cook your own meals.
There are also frozen meals from local producers and Japanese food makers available for purchase.
Those who make knives using Kurogane can order bento boxes (lunch boxes). There are conditions set by the bento box supplier, so please contact us for details.

If arranged in advance when making your reservation, it is also possible to order:
• Catered local meals (traditional countryside cooking)
• Japanese-style BBQ sets
These options are typically available for lunch or dinner.
(Breakfast is not included.)

If the host happens to have time and energy, he may cook something for you as well —
but please do not expect too much.

Winter Only Experience (November – March)
During the colder months, guests can enjoy a small seasonal experience using a traditional Edo-style hibachi charcoal heater.
While gently warming Japanese sake, you can enjoy small snacks that pair well with it.
Prices vary depending on what is prepared, but everything is offered at reasonable local prices.

KERAYA accepts reservations by email.

Please send us a message and include “Accommodation Request” in the subject line, as this email address is also used for our outdoor guiding service.

To help us respond more quickly, please include the following information:

• Number of guests
• Preferred dates
• Length of stay
• Where you are traveling from
• Any special requests (if you have any)

Message Sample

Subject: Accommodation Request

Hello,
I would like to ask about staying at Keraya.

Number of guests: 2
Dates: May 10–12
Length of stay: 2 nights
Traveling from: Canada

We usually reply within 24 hours.

Email:
okeraadventures@gmail.com

Keraya is a small guesthouse located in a quiet rural village.
To help everyone enjoy a peaceful stay, we ask guests to keep a few simple things in mind.

Keraya is not a hotel but a lived-in Japanese home where the host also stays. Please treat the house with care, just as you would when visiting a friend’s home.

Please note the following:

• Shoes off indoors – In Japan it is customary to remove shoes when entering a home. Please leave your shoes at the entrance and use the indoor slippers provided.

• Quiet evenings – Please keep noise to a minimum, especially after 10:00 PM, as the village is very quiet at night.

• Kitchen use – Guests are welcome to use the kitchen. If you cook, please clean up afterwards so that everyone can enjoy the space.

• About Chabi – Chabi is the friendly resident cat of Keraya. He may come to greet you, but please be gentle with him and do not feed him human food.

• No smoking indoors – Smoking is not allowed inside the house. If you wish to smoke, please do so outside.

Thank you for helping keep Keraya a comfortable and relaxing place for everyone.

Access

Coming by car is the most convenient option. There are a few narrow sections of road, though.
However, if you enjoy the inconvenience and take your time getting there using public transportation, that’s also a good option.