Kosupa Travel

The joy of travel often comes from unexpected encounters and discoveries through new landscapes, cultures, and people. Airbnb stays perfectly embody this essence of travel. Unlike hotels, staying in local homes (or unique local accommodations) allows you to experience the region’s lifestyle and culture firsthand.

However, Airbnb is known for its private accommodations, which can sometimes lead to concerns about potential issues. This anxiety can be particularly acute when considering a property with zero reviews, as the lack of previous guest experiences might suggest higher risks.

Today, I’ll share my complete experience of booking and staying at an Airbnb property that had absolutely no reviews. Let me tell you how it turned out!

Discovering ‘Ine no Yado Kujira’

Just before Golden Week (a major holiday period in Japan), I decided to finally visit Ine, Kyoto – a destination I’d long dreamed of seeing. However, due to last-minute booking, most accommodations were fully booked. In my desperate search, I found ‘Ine no Yado Kujira’. This Airbnb listing offered an entire house rental, including a traditional funaya (boat house). Ine is famous for its funaya, historic waterfront buildings where boats can be stored on the first floor, and these accommodations are typically both rare and expensive. Surprisingly, Ine no Yado Kujira was offering stays for just over 10,000 yen per person – an incredibly reasonable price. I could hardly believe such an affordable option was available during peak Golden Week season.

Taking the Risk: Booking an Unreviewed Property

Despite being an experienced traveler, this was my first time booking accommodation – whether through Airbnb or any other platform – with zero reviews. While the photos looked promising, there was no way to know what the place would actually be like until arrival. No reviews meant no feedback, whether positive or negative. Despite my concerns, I clicked the booking button.

Reassuring Communication with the Host

My worries began to dissipate almost immediately thanks to the host’s prompt and thorough communication. They sent detailed messages about the property, surrounding area, and access instructions, confirming that this was indeed a legitimate listing. Still, I remained cautiously optimistic until check-in day, wondering if the reality would match the photos.

Check-in Day: Exceeding All Expectations

On arrival day, check-in was conducted remotely via video call. After nervously completing the process and opening the door, I was amazed by what I found – the room was even better than the photos suggested, with clean, modern amenities throughout. The property appeared to have been recently renovated, combining antique charm with modern comfort to create a truly welcoming space.

Prime Location with an Authentic Boat House

The most impressive feature was the authentic funaya boat house that came with the property. It housed what appeared to be a working fishing boat, and the entire structure was available for our exclusive use. While Ine is famous for its rows of funaya, most are private properties not open to visitors, and very few are available for overnight stays. Having exclusive access to such a prime location in the heart of this historic district seemed almost too good to be true – but it wasn’t!

Finding Hidden Gems Among Unreviewed Properties

Why was such an exceptional property still available during one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods? Most likely, the lack of reviews deterred many potential guests. However, no reviews simply means no feedback yet – neither positive nor negative. This experience taught me that sometimes, exceptional properties can be found among unreviewed listings.

Important: Do Your Research

While I was fortunate to discover this hidden gem, it’s important to note that not all unreviewed properties will be as reliable. Before booking, I had actually verified that “Ine no Yado Kujira” was listed on the official Ine Tourism Association website, which gave me confidence in its legitimacy. Without such reliable external verification, I might have been more hesitant to book. When considering unreviewed properties, thorough research through trustworthy sources is essential. https://hatenablog-parts.com/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ine-kankou.jp%2Finn%2Fkujira

Book Soon – This Hidden Gem Won’t Stay Secret

Since my stay, “Ine no Yado Kujira” has received several reviews, all overwhelmingly positive. As its reputation grows, securing a reservation will likely become more challenging. I recommend visiting sooner rather than later, before it becomes too popular.

Conclusion

While I had an incredibly positive experience with an unreviewed property, such luck isn’t guaranteed. When considering unreviewed accommodations, always verify through reliable sources and make informed decisions based on thorough research.

https://hatenablog-parts.com/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.jp%2Frooms%2F1101001063303085798%3Fsource_impression_id%3Dp3_1715501468_QZTmtvgMegGSkpJj