Shiraishi Reservations

Shiraishi Reservations is a liaison service I set up to help facilitate communications between foreign visitors and island residents.We provide the following services:

* Booking into local accommodations (except the international villa as that is government-run)

* Booking dinners or beach BBQ's at local restaurants

* Booking kayaks, windsurfers, sailing trips and fishing trips.

* Transportation from the port to your accommodation (no service for international villa).

* Weather updates for typhoons and inclement weather

* Language assistance should you need it anytime during your stay on Shiraishi Island. We speak English, Japanese, Spanish, Indonesian and Australian.

We do not take money for minshuku bookings.

We can be reached anytime at the following email:

Shiraishi Reservations

Shiraishi International Villa

Most foreigners stay at the International Villa on the island, which offers rooms, communal cooking facilities and a shared bath at budget rates. There are five rooms in total: 4 western style rooms with two single beds and one Japanese style room with tatami mat and four futons. Maximum occupancy is 12. The villa was built with the intention of giving foreigners an affordable way to see the "real Japan" and the lifestyle in the countryside. There are five international villas throughout Okayama Prefecture.

Rooms are 2,500 yen per person per night for members. Non-members 3,000 yen per night. To become a member costs 500 yen and membership can be applied immediately to room rates for all members of the group. Japanese guests also welcome with or without foreigners (previously, Japanese guests could only stay if they were accompanied by foreigners).

The international villa is a great place to stay if you want to meet other travelers, don't mind cooking your own food, or if you come with a group (buy food before you come at Marunaka grocery store in Kasaoka across from the ferry port). The villa sits up on a hill and has spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea. There is a private deck to lounge on as well as a living room with a stereo, so bring some CD's. There is no TV, international telephone or internet.

Reservations for the villa can only be made through their home page:

http://www.harenet.ne.jp/villa/

San-chan's on the beach

A restaurant and bar which offers no-frills accommodations, San-chan's is the cheapest minshuku on the island and has five rooms. Rooms are 2,500 yen per person per night, no meals. Add 500 yen if you want breakfast. Or 5,000 yen per night (children 12 and under 3,000 yen) including breakfast and BBQ, or 6,000 yen for breakfast and fish dinner including sashimi. Food can also be bought separately from the menu, "izakaya" style.

They also rent out their "kyukeisho" (annex) when the rooms are full, so groups or people who don't mind just a space on the floor can still stay for just 2,000 yen per person per night.

Rooms (futons) include shared toilet and Japanese style bath, kyukeisho (futons) includes shared toilet and shower. Western-style toilet available. No English spoken. Gestures okay! Free internet (but very slow).

Payment method: cash only

Note: There is no deposit required for San-chan's but we do charge a 500 yen per person booking fee.

Book here:

Shiraishi Reservations

Minshuku Harada on the beach

Higher-end accommodations with excellent sea food and a nice Japanese family atmosphere. At 9,000 yen per night per person, including breakfast and dinner, it's a little more expensive but definitely worth it.

Futons. No Western-style toilet. The owner, Harada-san (aka Sea-kun) speaks some English.

Sea Kayak and windsurfing rentals 1,000 yen per hour.

Payment method: cash only

Note: There is a 1000 yen per person deposit for reservations at Minshuku Harada but there is no booking fee.

Book here:

Shiraishi Reservations

Read about the do's and dont's of staying at a Japanese-style minshuku

Beach House

This is a new budget option, especially good for families or groups up to 12 people. Located at the far end of the beach, this Japanese house has a 12-tatami mat room with futons. Everyone sleeps in the same room. Bring and cook your own food. A gas range, BBQ, refrigerator and cooking utensils are provided. The outdoor cooking and eating area is shared and faces the sea. 2,500 yen per night per person. A 500 yen per person per night deposit is required but there is no booking fee.

There is a Western-style non-flush toilet and a shower.

Amano-san, who owns the beach house, also rents tent space for 1,000 yen per person per night and campers can use the facilities at the Beach House.

Payment method: cash only

Book here:

Shiraishi Reservations

Read more about Amano-san

Cancellations

If you MUST cancel, contact the minshuku as soon as possible to let them know. Keep in mind that these are small, family-run minshukus, so if you cancel, they may have lost the chance to book someone else in your place. The day before you come, they will be out fishing in the sea and gathering fresh vegetables from the garden for your evening meal. So, if you MUST cancel, you should at least pay a 20 percent cancellation fee to help them recover some costs.

All except villa cancellations can be made by contacting us at:

Shiraishi Reservations

Moooo! Bar, Shiraishi Island, Japan