I’ve got questions and am uncharacteristically a little overwhelmed in trying to pull the trigger on where to stay. I’ve never been to Japan and this is probably my one chance. I’ve traveled internationally for work in South America and Europe—and as the lead tour guide for our US family—but this one is for me. Going solo without kids or husband (yay). Arrive on a Thursday in Kansai at 18:15. With it being so late in the day, and with my intention to hike for four days on the Nakahechi portion of the Kumano Kodo trail, should I stay south of KIX using the Hineno line to stay at a quiet guest house and then go to Wakayama the next day to pick up the Kisei line to Tanabe? It seems a shame to stay in a city hotel if all I’m going to do is crash.
Any recommendations for where to stay in Takahara, Chikatsuyu and Yunomine Onsen? I am a light sleeper, and would appreciate suggestions where the rooms are quiet. Don’t care that much about food (sadly lost my taste and smell three years ago, but now my hearing has made up for the loss of my other senses.)
After the trek, I would like to travel to Koyasan to do a monastery stay with a focus again on quiet and appreciation of the monks‘ spirituality and daily lives. Is it presumptuous or an incorrect expectation to find a room that is quiet (ie. not hearing snoring from neighbors)? If that is the case, then any recommendations for other accommodations and then I can just do day visits?
I then plan on going to Kyoto. Anthony Bourdain (rip) introduced me to the concept of kuidaore, which my husband would do if allowed. My daughter will spend ridiculous sums for brand name Pata-gucci and red-bottom shoes. Luxury for me is a quiet room—please leave some recs to help me find them in this region. Thanks in advance. What’s the quietest room you ever stayed in Japan?