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Here, I introduce articles and media articles, etc. that have introduced my guesthouse.

Kobe Shimbun Newspaper

Guest House Nodoka was featured in a January 14, 2024 article in the Kobe Shimbun newspaper

https://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/tajima/202401/0017221873.shtml

Below is a short summary of the article...

Owner Reiko Ukita worked for about 20 years at the Tokyo sales office of a Toyooka-based bag manufacturer. At the age of 44 she retired to go abroad and studied hospitality management at a university in the United Kingdom. Upon returning to Japan, she worked at an auberge (restaurant with an inn) in Tochigi prefecture, and then served as manager of Nishimuraya Honkan in Kinosaki Onsen for 10 years.

Her desire to open a guesthouse was sparked by the experience of staying at the home of an Italian friend during her study abroad. Being warmly welcomed, including by local residents, she wished to provide the same hospitality at her own establishment. She hopes that even without friends or relatives in Japan, visitors to the country can experience firsthand Japanese life & culture.

Nodoka was formerly a 2 level warehouse that was converted into an 80 sqm guesthouse. The first floor features a kitchen & dining area, the second floor a bedroom with beds and raised tatami-mat floor that can accommodate up to 6 people. Several restaurants are located nearby, and views of nearby Jinmusan (mountain) allow visitors to enjoy all four seasons.

Ukita commented, "I want visitors to love Japan even more through their stay."

©Kobe Shimbun Co., Ltd.

©Kitakinki Keizai Shimbun Co., Ltd.

Kita Kinki Keizai Shimbun Newspaper

We were featured in an article of the Kita Kinki Keizai Shimbun newspaper on January 3, 2024. Here is a summary of the article.

Guest House Nodoka opened on December 19th of last year in Kyomachi, Toyooka City.

Starting from 2001, owner Reiko Ukita spent 2 years studying hotel management at a university in the United Kingdom. In 2003 she came back to Japan and worked at an auberge in Nasu Kogen, Tochigi prefecture. Returning to Toyooka in 2006 she worked at Nishimuraya, an hotel & ryokan owner in Kinosaki Onsen.

It was during her time overseas and the experience of being warmly welcomed into the homes of friends that sparked Ukita's desire to create a place for visitors to Japan to stay where they can feel at ease, as if they are staying at a friend's home.

Guest House Nodoka is a 2 story wooden building; the 1st floor features a kitchen & dining area, bathroom, restroom, washing machine & dryer; the 2nd floor has 2 semi-double beds and a raised tatami-mat floor. Limited to one group per day, no meals are provided but simple seasonings, tableware & utensils are available for guests who provide their own ingredients to cook & prepare food. Ukita envisions European, American and other overseas travelers using Guest House Nodoka as a base for exploring the Tajima area. Beyond exploring Kaban Street and other surrounding sites, for guest's that desire Ukita hopes to provide guided tours of local bag manufacturers, lessons in calligraphy & ikebana, cooking, etc. She hopes to provide an opportunity to experience Japanese culture firsthand.