Detailed Requests for our Guests

 

【Prior to check in】

✓ Communicate your needs and requests to the owners

・Talking is the best way to discover your needs and prepare for your stay. We are available via phone, LINE and WhatsApp calls. 

・Use the travel agent’s message service, LINE messages or email.

✓ Communicate your requests for set up, amenities and any special needs.

✓ Inform us of the name, age, address and general occupation of each guest. Unlike hotels where only the reservee needs to provide personal information, our properties are governed by the Japan Private Lodging Business Act, which requires us to register each guest.

✓ For inbound guests, please prepare a photocopy of your passport to give us at check in. We are required to keep a hard-copy in a secure file. 

✓ Japanese guests and foreign residents of Japan need not show any ID.

✓ If there are any changes in the number of guests in your group, please let us know in advance. Sudden surprises at check in require setting up or putting away futons, towels, welcome snacks and drinks. Our guests and us as hosts have the best experience when everything is set up properly in advance.​​

 

【Proper Usage of the Property】

✓ Guests are expected to use the property as set up per their requests. Do not bring in items other than basic luggage, and do not rearrange the furniture. If you need something extra or changed, inform the owners right away.

 ✓ The property is to be used for the purpose guests stated after booking (Usually for basic lodging and low-key socializing, studies or meetings). The following usages are examples of what is prohibited or requires consent. Any activities deemed immoral, illegal, not in alignment with the integrity of the property, or otherwise will be immediately stopped and guests asked to leave without compensation for their stay.

Including, but not limited to: Commercial or social media filming and photography; rehearsals or performances, including cosplay and other activities that requires costumes, props and other items; Religious, political, medical, wellness and commercial activities; Cooking classes

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【Check In】3pm or later

✓ Let us know your requested check in time, and make an effort to arrive on time. Let us know if you need to change your arrival time. Remember, you are renting our private home, not a hotel room. There is no reception with staff. We plan our day according to your requested check in time, so please be aware that any last minute changes might not be accommodated.

✓ No early check in available

✓ Please call or message about an hour before arrival to confirm. We will then finalize the set up of the house: Turn on heaters/air conditioners, lights, make hot water and coffee, etc.

✓ Check in procedures (about 10 minutes): The reservee needs to arrive first. Other guests will not be let into the property until check in procedures are complete. The reservee will read and sign our lodging agreement, and provide a ￥10,000 cash deposit.  We will then show the reservee around the house and answer any questions. If not all the guests are present at check in, let us know when the rest of the group plans to arrive. 

 

【Check Out】 9am or earlier

✓ Let us know your requested check out time. If you need to change your departure time, please contact us by 9pm the night before. 

✓ Check out procedures (about 10 minutes) We will check the house for any possibly forgotten items,  return the deposit if there were no major issues, take commemorative photos of your group if you like, and see you off. 

✓ No late check out available

 

【No Noise Disturbance】

✓ No loud noise or ruckus in the house or yard at any time. This includes excessively loud talking and “whooping”, singing, playing music or any noise that could disturb the peace.

✓ Although you are on vacation and want to have fun, please keep in mind that you are renting a private home in a typical neighborhood. Japanese homes are close together, and noise travels. Please treat our neighbors with the respect that you would treat your own.

 

【Alcohol】

✓ Drink responsibly or choose a non-alcohol vacation

✓ Although guests are responsible for their own decisions regarding alcohol consumption, please do not drink excessively or get drunk. Drunken behavior is the primary cause for damage, loud noise and complaints from our neighbors. 

✓ The reservee is responsible for the behavior of their group. In order to fulfill this obligation, this person should limit their alcohol consumption. 

 

【Wall Unit Air Conditioners/Heaters】

✓ Requested setting: Summer: 27〜28°C  Winter: 20〜21°C

✓  Keep the room's doors closed when in use. These machines are made to heat and cool the room they are in, not large areas.

✓  Heat/Cool the bedrooms just prior to going to bed. Rooms are heated/cooled within 5~10 minutes.

✓  Turn off the machines before leaving the house and before checkout. 

✓ Mitsuba and Kiyomizu House have traditional wooden structures and tile roofs, making them cooler than regular houses during the humid summer. We recommend opening the windows and enjoying the natural breeze, especially for our city-dweller guests seeking a countryside retreat.

✓  There are portable electric heaters, humidifiers, heated tables, and portable fans.. Feel free to move them around the house as necessary. Please use them and have a comfortable stay.

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【When leaving the house】

✓ Turn off all lights, except for an entry hall light when returning after dark. Turn off the heaters/air conditioners and any other electrical appliances. This includes when using the yard and terrace for an extending period of time, such as for a BBQ.

✓ Close and lock all doors and windows.

 

【Bedding】

✓ Double-padded futons, fluffy comforter and standard Japanese pillows are set up  for each guest according to your room layout request.

✓ Each room has one extra large pillow and blanket for guests who require extras. Please request in advance if you need more. 

✓ One air mattress is available. Please request prior to check in.

✓ Leave your futon unmade and in the same place that you found it at checkout.

 

【Towels】

✓  You can use the towel set and bag at the house or local hot springs. 

✓  Bring back and leave the bags and towels in the hamper.

 

【Bath】

✓  Most groups choose to enjoy our neighborhood's natural hot spring onsen baths, but guests are welcome to use our large shower room and bath.

✓  Amenities: Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, face soap

✓  When taking a bath or shower, please turn on the fan. When finished, please open the wipe down once with the absorbent towel hanging in the room and open the window and shower curtain.

 

【Toiletries & Supplies】

✓ Tooth brush, hand soap, alcohol spray, cotton pads, Q-Tips, basic first aid kit

 

【Take out and Ready-to-Eat Groceries】

✓ Appliances and amenities for heating and eating take out and basic/pre-cooked groceries: Refrigerator & freezer, microwave, hot water pot, and electric toaster. Always cover the food when microwaving-covers and saran wrap provided.

✓ Self-catering cookware and supplies provided for cooking rice and for outdoor BBQ grilling and indoor Japanese family-style nabe. Aside from those options, no self-catering is allowed. No stove-top cooking, fry pans or pots can be used in the kitchen.

✓ If you eat in, please clean up dishes, appliances, garbage on the tables and keep all garbage in covered bins outside or inside. 

✓ Wash you dishes well with hot water and detergent right after using them. Do not put the dishes away. 

✓ Other kitchen amenities: Filtered water pot; Electric hot water pot; Electric coffee maker and filters

✓ Glasses and dishes: Extensive collection of dishes, glasses, mugs, chopsticks, and silverware for adults, children, indoor and outdoor use.

✓Guests should prepare all food and drinks they plan to consume, including oil for grilling, condiments, ice, coffee grounds, tea bags, etc. 

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【Ordering Meals, Shopping and local Restaurants】

✓ If you need some suggestions, just ask! Gunma is well-known for great food at reasonable prices.

 

【Garbage】 

✓  All garbage can go together. Put all garbage in the large bins with lids. Do not leave plastic bags on the floor as they might leak and damage the flooring. 

✓ Please put soiled diapers in small plastic bags, close tightly and put in the diaper pail provided.

 

【Recycling】

✓  There is a separate recycle bin for PET bottles, cans and glass. 

✓  Take off caps and labels and rinse before putting recyclables in the bin and we are happy to take your recyclables to the local station

 

【House Cleaning for Multiple-Night Stays】

✓ We will enter the house at least once a day for a basic check and cleaning (Empty garbage, freshen towels, put away dishes, air out the house, etc.)

✓ Let us know in advance your expected time of departure, and call or message when you leave. We will come after that.

✓ Please have all dishes washed prior to leaving for the day. 

 

【Optional Cooking Equipment】

【Gas BBQ Grilling and Yakisoba】 See “BBQ Instructions” below for more details

✓  Available rain or shine at our covered terrace.

✓  Up to 5 gas grills can be used, depending upon the size of your group

✓ There is a heater for cold-weather grilling. 

✓ The owners set up the grills and amenities on the terrace prior to check in or use, and clean up the grill after you are finished.

✓ Gas BBQ Amenities: Griddle-style with foil for BBQs (Do not take it off. There are extra pieces of foil provided), tools (tongs, chopsticks, scissors, lighter, bottle opener, hot pads), water kettle, garbage bin, recycle bin, broom and dust pan, mosquito repellent and bite medicine, cleaning supplies (cloths, cleaning spray, alcohol, alcohol wipes, paper towels, tissues) 

✓  Finish grilling and clean-up within three hour or by 9pm. Throw out large pieces of food from the grill, tables and ground and put the garbage in the bin. Close the BBQ lid and call to inform us that you are finished. 

✓  No other BBQ grills, charcoal, smokers, electric hot plates, tents or other BBQ/camping goods can be brought in and used.  

✓ No indoor grilling or cooking whatsoever. Do not use the nabe pots as grills, or bring your own. 

✓ Finish grilling all of your ingredients during the BBQ time. There are containers, dishes and saran wrap for leftovers. Put all leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat covered in the microwave on glass plates only.​

【Japanese family-style Nabe】

✓ Please request prior to check in and we will set up the gas stoves and nabes in the dining room.

✓ For safety,  insert the gas canister just before starting use, and take it out when finished.

✓ The gas stove is to be used only in the dining room, and only for soup-based nabe dishes with the nabe pot provided. Do not use as fry pans, and no grilling allowed in the dining area. 

✓ No personal cookware can be brought in or used.​ ​

 

【Play Time】 

✓ We have set up our homes with  family-fun and playtime in mind. Each home has a safety fence and variety of items for indoor and outdoor play to suit the interests of all ages. 

✓ Indoor: Ping pong table, cards, UNO, board games, origami, coloring, puzzles, picture books, bath toys. 

✓ Please do not bring and play with hard balls or any other playthings that could hit and damage our or our neighbors' property.

 

【No Fireworks of Any Kind】 

✓  Why not? Dangerous: Can cause physical injury; fire hazard; and the smoke bothers our neighbors. 

✓  Some local riverbanks allow fireworks. Please check and use it if you want to enjoy this activity.

 

【Smoking Area】

✓  No smoking (cigarettes or vaping) inside or right next to the house. 

✓  Smoking is allowed only on the terrace.

✓  Lighting available for nighttime smoking, but please refrain from conversations on the terrace after 9pm.

 

【No Pets】 

✓  Not allowed in the house, yard or parked vehicles.

 

【Damages or Missing Items】

✓   Guests are responsible for broken, damaged or missing items from the house or yard. 

✓  If something happens to the house or items during your stay, please inform us right away. Most of the time, we fix the damage ourselves. However, if necessary, guests are responsible for paying the estimated replacement cost or professional services and materials necessary.

 

【Forgotten Items】

✓  Check carefully when preparing to leave. We also do a quick house check before you check out.

✓  We will call you immediately if we find any forgotten items. 

✓  We are happy to send anything of value to you, and appreciate you paying the fees.

 

【Liability】

✓ The owners of this vacation home are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury or death caused by the use of their home. By choosing to stay at Kiyomizu House/Mitsuba House, the reservee takes full responsibility for their and the other guests’ wellbeing and property.

✓ Guests are responsible for lodging expenses in the event of sickness, a natural disaster, government shutdown, pandemic or any other cause for the group or individual guests not being able to stay or complete their stay. 

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