Kosupa Travel

Travel is exciting because it offers unexpected encounters and discoveries through new scenery, 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 having many privately owned properties, which can sometimes lead to concerns about potential issues. This becomes even more worrying when considering a property with zero reviews – an completely unevaluated accommodation can seem particularly risky.

In this article, I’ll share my experience of booking and staying at a guesthouse that had zero reviews on AirBnb!

Discovering ‘Ine no Yado Kujira’ (Whale Inn of Ine)

Just before Golden Week (a major holiday period in Japan), we decided to visit Ine, Kyoto – a destination I’d long dreamed of seeing. However, being a last-minute booking, most accommodations were fully booked. In our desperate search, we found ‘Ine no Yado Kujira’. This property on AirBnb was a complete house rental that incredibly included a funaya (traditional boat house). Ine is famous for its scenic harbor lined with these historic funaya, and accommodations with private boat houses are both rare and highly sought after. Such properties typically command premium prices. Yet remarkably, Ine no Yado Kujira was available for just over ¥10,000 ($70) per person per night. I could hardly believe such an affordable option was still available during peak Golden Week.

However, upon closer inspection, we discovered that it had zero reviews! This was a rare case of a property that had never been reviewed by any previous guests. Could there be something wrong with this place? Despite our concerns, with no other options available, we decided to take the risk and make the booking.

Making the Reservation Despite Concerns

Despite being an experienced traveler, this was my first time booking accommodation with zero reviews, whether on AirBnb or any other booking platform. While the photos looked promising, we couldn’t be certain about the actual condition until we arrived. No reviews meant no feedback – positive or negative. With some trepidation, I clicked the booking button.

Concerns Dispelled by Attentive Host Communication

Our worries proved unfounded as the host began sending detailed communications immediately after booking. Through courteous messages, they provided comprehensive information about the room, surrounding area, and access instructions, confirming that this was indeed a legitimate property. Still, we remained cautiously optimistic until check-in day, wondering if the reality might differ from the photos.

Check-in Day: Exceeded All Expectations

On the day of our stay, we arrived with mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety. Check-in required a video call for remote access. After nervously completing the remote check-in process, we opened the door to find a room that exceeded our expectations, complete with excellent amenities and supplies. The property appeared to have been recently renovated, combining antique-style design elements with modern cleanliness and comfort to create an inviting living space.

Prime Location in the Heart of Ine with a Private Boat House

The most impressive feature was the authentic boat house attached to the property. We had exclusive access to a fully-equipped boat house with what appeared to be an actively used fishing boat. While Ine is famous for its rows of funaya (boat houses), very few are available for overnight stays, and most are private property off-limits to visitors. Having private access to such a well-maintained boat house in the heart of the scenic district seemed almost too good to be true (but it wasn’t!).

Zero Reviews Led to Discovering a Hidden Gem

Why was this exceptional property still available during peak Golden Week? Most likely, many potential guests were deterred by the lack of reviews. However, no reviews simply means no feedback yet – positive or negative. This experience showed us that sometimes, hidden gems can be found among unreviewed properties.

Important Note: Thorough Research is Essential

While we were fortunate to discover this excellent accommodation, it’s important to remember that among the many unreviewed properties available, some might genuinely be problematic.

In fact, we only proceeded with the booking after confirming that ‘Ine no Yado Kujira’ was listed on the official Ine Tourism Association website, establishing its credibility. Without such reliable external verification, we might have hesitated to book. When considering unreviewed properties, it’s crucial to verify their legitimacy through trusted external sources. https://hatenablog-parts.com/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ine-kankou.jp%2Finn%2Fkujira

Book Soon: Rising Popularity May Make Future Reservations Difficult

‘Ine no Yado Kujira’ now has several reviews, all highly positive. As its reputation grows, securing a reservation may become increasingly difficult. We recommend visiting soon before it becomes too popular.

Conclusion

We were fortunate to discover this unreviewed property that provided an exceptional stay beyond our expectations. However, such luck isn’t guaranteed. When booking unreviewed accommodations, always verify through reliable sources and make informed decisions.

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