Staying at a hotel is convenient. But you often feel like you are missing an opportunity to experience what it’s like to live in a local area. Agree? If you fancy spending a couple of days in a Japanese house and getting a taste of country life in Eastern Hokkaido, Okhotsk House is a place to go.

PUTTING VACANT HOUSES INTO GOOD USE

In the Japanese countryside, an increasing number of houses have become unoccupied and abandoned over the past decades. In 2021, 13.6% of houses in the country were reported vacant, which is a record high. One of the major reasons for this is the declining population in rural areas. Eastern Hokkaido is no exception.

Okhotsk House, run by a friend of mine from highschool, is a project to utilize these underused resources by turning unoccupied houses into Airbnb that attracts travelers to Eastern Hokkaido. There are three Okhotsk Houses at the moment in Kiyosato, Shari, and Sattsuru - all well-located to access Shiretoko, a popular destination with great nature. I had a chance to stay in the Kiyosato house on my trip to Shiretoko in July 2022.

Okhotsk House Kiyosato

Located just 8 min walk away from JR Kiyosato Station, the two-story house can accomodate up to 10 people in 4 bed rooms. It’s perfect for a family or a group of friends. Self check-in is easy and straightforward. The host provides you with check-in instructions and useful information about the area before your arrival. As soon as you enter the house, you will be welcomed by some local wooden crafts at the entrance.

The house itself is about 40 years old but newly renovated keeping a nice touch of traditional housing. Each room is spacious and well equipped with everything you will need. Got some work to do on your vacation? No worries, there is a working desk and a fast internet connection ready.

The kitchen is also fully equipped with cooking tools, utensils, basic seasonings, and some coffee and tea. The bathroom has a deep bathtub that you can relax in. The house makes you feel really comfortable staying there, just like your own home. I would highly recommend this accommodation if you prefer having a base in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood without a hustle.

easy access to get around

Okhotsk House Kiyosato makes an ideal place to travel around Eastern Hokkaido - for example, 30 min to Akan and 45 min to Shiretoko by car. (Note that Hokkaido is so big that somewhere 30 min drive away is considered quite close.)

Seiko Mart, Hokkaido’s local convenience store is right next to the house. There are one supermarket and a handful of restaurants in Kiyosato, but you can find more dining options in Shari within a 15 min drive.

Book your stay!

Interested in staying here? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Kazuya, the host of Okhotsk House. He is certified as an Airbnb Superhost committing to making your stay enjoyable, and available to assist you in English and Japanese.

For inquiries and bookings, make sure to go through their official website and get a 10% discount on the listing price on Airbnb and booking.com. Have a nice stay!