Before you book
Getting here by car, and answers to common questions
Hanaike Retreat is in the countryside of northern Kariya. The nearest station is far, so we accept guests traveling by car only.
Check dates on Airbnb
Access
- Expressway: about 7 min from Kariya Smart IC (Kariya Highway Oasis) on the Isewangan Expressway
- Airport: about 35 min from Chubu Centrair International Airport
- Nagoya: about 35 min to Nagoya Castle
- Parking: free, on the grounds, for 2 cars
Kariya Smart IC is ETC-only (24 hours, both directions). Ask your rental company for an ETC card.
The roads right around the house are narrow. If you search the address, Google Maps and car navigation tend to lead you to the south gate along a very narrow lane — please follow the route to the parking-side gate instead. After you book, we send a map with the recommended route to the guest parking.
Public transport is not a good fit, as the nearest station is far from the house.
How arrival works
- Before you arrive: we send the route map and your key-box code through Airbnb messages.
- Park: come in through the gate on the parking side (it has an intercom) and use the two guest spaces. If you simply search the address, apps tend to lead you to the south gate along a very narrow lane — follow our map instead.
- Let yourself in: it's self check-in — the key is in the key box at the entrance.
- Turn on the water heater: the switch is in the kitchen. Hot water for the bath and kitchen comes on once it's on.
Driving in Japan as a visitor
To drive a rental car in Japan, you need one of the following:
- An International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention (for example, from Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, the US, the UK, Korea or Thailand)
- A driver's license from Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium or Monaco, with an official Japanese translation (for example, from JAF)
Licenses from mainland China cannot be used to drive in Japan, so someone else in your group will need a valid permit. Rules can change — please check with your rental car company before you travel.
Read the full driving guide: ETC cards, road rules, fuel and what to do if something goes wrong →
Source: National Police Agency of Japan.
FAQ
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 3:00 to 10:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM. If you expect to arrive after 10 PM, please let us know through Airbnb.
How do I get the key?
It's self check-in: the key is in a key box at the entrance, and we send you the code through Airbnb messages before your stay. The hosts live in the main house opposite — if you need anything while they're home, ring the intercom.
Can we go out and come back late?
You're free to come and go after check-in. It's a quiet residential area, so please keep quiet after 9:00 PM — car doors and voices included.
How many people can stay, and how do you sleep?
Up to 5 guests: two semi-double beds upstairs and three futons in the tatami room downstairs. Children under 3 stay free — if you're unsure how to enter them in the guest count, just ask us via Airbnb message. The price depends on the number of guests, and Airbnb shows the total for your group.
Can we cook?
Yes. The kitchen has a fridge-freezer, microwave, IH stove, rice cooker, pots and pans, basic seasonings, dishes and a Nespresso machine. So the house stays fresh for the next guests, please avoid smoky or strong-smelling cooking such as grilling meat on a hot plate, and always use the ventilation fan.
Is there a washing machine?
Yes — a free washer-dryer in the laundry room just outside the front door. If you'd like to air-dry, please use the 2nd-floor balcony rather than hanging laundry indoors.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes, along with a small workspace. The network details are in the guest guide we send after you book.
Is it quiet at night? Any house rules?
Very quiet — it's a residential area surrounded by rice fields, and sound carries. Please keep music low and close the windows after 9 PM. Shoes off indoors, no smoking inside and no pets.
Are there insects?
It's the countryside, so yes, sometimes. Please close the screens when you open a window. Insect repellent and insect spray are provided.
What languages do the hosts speak?
Phone support is in Japanese only. For help in English, please send an Airbnb message — we usually reply within about 2 hours. After you book, we share a guest guide in Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese and Korean.
Can we see the main house?
The hosts live in the main house opposite the guesthouse. When they're home, ring the intercom and ask — they offer a short tour of the main house (about 10 minutes), with its tatami room, hina dolls and armour.
Are pets allowed? Can I smoke?
Sorry, no pets, and no smoking inside. The family's cats live on the grounds, but they don't come into the guesthouse.
Is there a supermarket nearby?
Yes. Supermarkets, convenience stores and casual restaurants are a short drive away. We send a list with opening hours after you book.
What do we need to do at check-out?
Turn off the water heater and air conditioners, close the windows, and wash the dishes you used (no need to dry or put them away). Sort your garbage into the labelled bins and leave it; leave used futons laid out. Then ring the main-house intercom, or send us a message if no one is home. Please note we can't dispose of large rubbish, such as suitcases.
What if something goes wrong during our stay?
Message us on Airbnb, or ring the main-house intercom if we're home. The guest guide lists the host's contacts and nearby emergency care. In an emergency in Japan, call 110 (police) or 119 (fire and ambulance).
What is the cancellation policy?
The cancellation policy is shown on Airbnb before you pay.
Ready to plan your stay?
See prices and open dates for your group on Airbnb. Up to 5 guests, 2 free parking spaces.
Check dates on AirbnbBooking, payment and support are handled by Airbnb.