Just a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute drive away from Ryunohara is our quiet countryside getaway, Doratei. We’re in the middle of the Kii Peninsula, making this the perfect base for a driving holiday.
Doratei
A place to listen
The name Dora (銅鑼) means “Bronze Gong” in Japanese. If you’ve ever had Dorayaki, you might recall its round, gong-like shape—fitting for a treat beloved by Doraemon, one of Japan’s most cherished childhood characters.
Gongs have been used in Japan for centuries, originating in Southeast Asia and finding their place in imperial ceremonies, temples, and the tea ceremony. We hope your time at Doratei allows you to unwind and be soothed by the sounds of nature.
The crystal-clear waters of the Hidakagawa River flow behind Doratei. This view is a 1-minute walk away.
Wintertime brings a blanket of snow across the land, and a welcome quiet.
Summertime is for verdant greens and a concert of crickets at night.
The Crane Room. Doratei has 4 beds in 2 rooms. Sleep easy on mattresses with lumbar support. Each bed has a fluffy duvet, a soft pillow, and a firmer bead pillow.
The “Quietened Heart” room. Doratei was originally built 30 years ago by the Takimotos, the father-son carpenter duo who also worked on Ryunohara. They reused beams from centuries-old houses for this house, and the younger Takimoto-san worked on the renovations, employing local wood in the process.
Kitchen
The kitchen is equipped for longer stays, with a large fridge, induction heater hob, a kettle, pots and pans, cooking essentials, a Cuisinart toaster with air fryer function, a microwave, a Keurig coffee machine with complimentary pods, and a Hario coffee grinder and metal V60 dripper.
Bathroom
Feel pampered with a state of the art Toto Neorest toilet with all the bidet functions you need, a fully heated changing area and bathroom with a automatic-filling bathtub, amenities like shampoo, conditioner, body soap, moisturiser, cotton swabs, combs and brushes, feminine products, and a Panasonic washer-dryer.
Getting here
Ryujinmura is located deep in the mountains, so most villagers get around by car. The nearest supermarket and convenience store are a 1 hour-drive away (but you’ll find the pantry well stocked so don’t worry).
Ryujinmura is a very big village, covering over 250 sq km. It takes almost 2 hours to drive from one end of the village to the other.
The nearest airport is Nanki-Shirahama International Airport, but most guests arrive at Kansai International Airport then take the train to the nearest train station, Kii-Tanabe Station. The train ride from Kansai International Airport to Kii-Tanabe Station takes about 2.5 hours.
Rental car
Doratei has driveway parking for up to 5 cars. Nearest highway exit: Arida IC. Nearest car rental: Toyota Rent-A-Car Kii Tanabe Station. Snow tyres and snow chains are a must from 15 December to 15 March. Set this as your destination on Google Maps: Doratei.
Bus from Kii-Tanabe Station
Take the Ryujin Bus from Kii-Tanabe. There are 3 buses a day. Our bus stop is “Hajikano-no-hashi”. The first bus departs Kii-Tanabe Station (right in front of the train station exit) at 12:00 and arrives here at 13:05. The second bus departs at 13:50 and arrives here at 14:55. The last bus departs at 15:00 and arrives here at 16:04. The fare is ¥1,550, payable by cash when you alight.
Address
615 Hiroihara, Ryujinmura,
Tanabe-shi, Wakayama Prefecture 645-0523
〒645-0523
和歌山県田辺市龍神村廣井原615
Amenities
Bedrooms
Power sockets for every bed
International plug adaptors available for loan
Extra pillow for every bed
Heat pad for every bed in the colder months (November to April)
Air conditioners (cooler/heater) for all rooms
Clothes hangers
Ceiling fans in the kitchen
Bathroom, Toilet, Vanity
Toto Neorest flushing toilet with bidet
Full-sized bathtub with automatic filling function, temperature controls
Heated changing room
Imabari face towels and body towels provided
Disposable combs, brushes, razors, ear buds, shower caps, tissues provided
Feminine products provided
Laundry
Fully-automatic Panasonic washer-dryer and eco-friendly detergent provided (softener not provided to ensure clean discharge to the river)
Outside drying rack
Kitchen
Family-sized fridge (615 litres)
Wine glasses, sake decanters and sake cups, tea cups, coffee cups
Plates, bowls, rice bowls, cooking utensils, silverware, chopsticks
2 induction heating cooktops, 1 radiant heat stovetop
IH Hot water kettle
Microwave
Cuisinart toaster with air-fryer and baking functions
Baking sheets, cling wrap, aluminum foil
Rice cooker and homegrown organic rice
Complimentary tea bags and instant coffee sachets
Keurig coffee machine and complimentary coffee pods
Others
Fast wifi
Books & reading materials
Umbrellas
First aid kit
Luggage dropoff, luggage storage for up to 1 week, luggage courier services can be arranged
Carbon monoxide alarm
Fire alarms in every room
Fire extinguishers
Emergency torchlights in every room
Security camera aimed at front door (no security cameras inside)
FAQs
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Yes, we have 4 beds. There is 1 bathroom and 1 toilet in the house.
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The closest restaurant open for lunch is a 7-min drive (5.8km) away, while the closest restaurant open for dinner is a 12-min drive (10km) away.
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Anytime! Here’s a quick guide: end-February: plum blossoms. End-March to early April: Sakura. April-June: flowers galore, tea season, rice planting season. July-August: Summer months, perfect for swimming in the river. September: Typhoon season. October-first week of December: fall foliage. End-December: snow begins to fall. January-February: Thick snow.
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No, pets are not allowed.