TESTIMONIALS

I cannot say enough about Ikuko and Masami! They were the absolute BEST! I booked at their place in Oiso because I had a busy work trip coming up in Tokyo and wanted somewhere to relax prior. Also because they had a goat (Kosuke = Happy Helper!) and a dog (Libby!)...this was enough for me. But Ikuko was so welcoming and provided all my meals (extra price) and they were amazing, she went above and beyond. She is a gifted musician and will sing for you at dinner. So great! Her husband, Masami, is the nicest person ever - he told me on my arrival day that it was the first day in two months you could see Mt Fuji, and invited me to view it from a nearby mountain. Also an offer of swimming at the beach while he surfed and a special visit to a secret temple that is possibly the most beautiful place on earth, where we watched monks holding ceremony in the early hours of the morning. A truly amazing experience in Japan. Ikuko and Masami call their family “Earth Family” and they are truly a special bunch of people - stay here if you can, you will not regret it :)

Katie, Australia

I had such an amazing time in Oiso! I really can’t say enough. From the time they met me at the train station, I instantly felt like part of the family. Ikuko and Masami were so completely welcoming that I felt very comfortable staying in their home. They have bikes you can borrow, which is a terrific way to explore lovely little Oiso town, and also helps to bridge the distance to the train station, where you can catch a train that goes direct into Tokyo. The house itself is fantastic and highly unusual, and is surrounded by fields and rice paddies; in the day, you can hear birds, and at night, you hear crickets and frogs. As for the room itself, it’s quite cozy and has a door with a screen that opens into a little garden area. There’s a small desk with a chair, and the space under the loft has a bar where you can hang your clothes. The loft area is quite snug, so tall people may want to look at the other rooms that Ikuko is renting. I highly recommend a visit to this homestay—being able to be part of a family like this is exactly why Airbnb can be so great. More than anything, I want to emphasize how remarkably wonderful these people are! I myself will be returning later this month to spend more time here!

Sara, USA

What a wonderful experience it was with Ikuko and Masami taking every joyous step in looking after us, opening us to their home, their town, their family, their holiday album, their vision, and their warm smiles. We were looking to relax in a tourist-free area. RIkuko waited for us at the train station even when we were late due to trainline hiccup. Her parents’ traditional home is really nice ( and we learnt later it was built by Masami, himself a designer). We stayed in the room upstair, with wonderful futon and long balcony that looks out to the quiet neighbourhood. If there is one thing that we were not as used to in a Japanese home, it is the unblocked light that shines through in the morning, but this was made up by us going to bed relatively early anyway.  Ikuko’s parents cooked us a big breakfast. We actually got both western style and Japanese style on different day! The gentle couple leave for their udon shop in town soon after they clean up. We visited the shop for udon lunch. Delicious! It’s a pretty busy shop popular with the locals! And we got to watch the udon being cut by hand at the shop window. Ikuko always reached out and asked if we would like to join them for dinner for a small cost at their house, which is 15 mins walk from her parents’ house. Super cool space with beautiful collection of furniture, photos, art, wood pieces, and, motorbikes, cars, including 2 immaculate vintage Morgans, in which Masami took us for a ride. My husband’s happiness level multiplied in chatting with Masami on their love for vintage cars. It was a great opportunity to meet other guests too over wholesome homecooked dishes, thanks to the good English of all! We had the chance to chat learn from Masami, his vision to bring people together as a family through art in his space.   On the bikes Ikuko let us use from her house, we were delighted to see the weekend life in Oiso: parents taking kids out to the seaside, fishing, surfboarding, biking, and just sitting out for a picnic in the once-a –month farmers market. It is truly a special experience which I would highly recommend.

Christine, USA

Ikuko and Masami are incredible and welcoming hosts. Their place is a hive of creativity and cultural exchange and we loved every minute! Ikuko was excellent at communicating with us and picked us up from the station promptly. We walked Libby the dog which we loved (one of our main reasons for choosing this place) and as we came back Masami showed us the beautiful neighbourhood and excellent views in his classic car before we were taken to Ikuko’s parents’ udon restaurant which honestly was the best meal of our whole trip to Japan! If you are given the opportunity to go, grab it with both hands! Ikuko took care of my dietary needs which was incredibly thoughtful too! The next morning we were invited to view mt Fuji at sunrise and Ikuko taught us Japanese calligraphy before we left for our next destination and both experiences were wonderful. What really stood this experience apart was the warm and welcoming hosts - it was an honour to stay with them and learn Japanese culture from them and we felt so privileged to share their home, lifestyle, culture and skills with us! A truly memorable Airbnb experience- thank you!

Kathryn, Thailand

The perfect home away from home. Ikuko and Misami are incredible hosts and welcomed us into their home as if we were family. Oiso is stunning countryside with incredible views of Fuji on a clear day. If you want a taste of authentic Japanese life away from the city then we could not recommend Epinard more. A house full of artists and musicians, Epinard is a place to learn, relax and share. We wish we could stay here forever.

Aaron, New Zealand

Staying in house of Masami and Ikuko was one of the most wonderful travel experiences ever. Masami met me on his actual 1950s cabriolet and at was the beginning of great adventure that all the stay in Epinard House was for me. Oiso is a nice and quite town, with great air, mountains and sea close by, defenitely the place to stay longer - you feel welcone at once, like the part of the family. The house itself feels old and new at the same time. Very cosy and has everything nessesary, with transporant roof and dog, turtles and the goat. I haven't had better sleeps in weeks :) Ikuko cooked great breakfasts and dinners, it was superb Japanese cousine experience. And Masami showed Oiso in the rain and cherry blossom and made great photos of me tgere. And long talks during evening with Masami felt like being in the family. Also very easy to get to Hakone from there for great onsen experience. I highly recommend this place to everyone to experience ultimate journey and get new friends and relations.

Tania, Belarus

Words cannot describe the life-affirming experience at epinard with ikuko and masami san. More than an airbnb booking, this trip to oiso was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The location is exquisite, the space a living philosophy of human sharing. Do not hesitate for a second -Visit oiso, smell the sea breeze, walk the mountain, and share time with ikuko and family. Perfect for a weekend, or even a longer visit. What you will find here will be more than local tips and good hosting- it will touch your soul. Ps: ikuko and masami are more than hosts, they are precious earth family.

Orlando Vincent, South Africa

Epinard was exactly what I was looking for my stay in Japan - somewhere outside Tokyo, near mountains and the sea, close to Hakone, a homestay with a local family, inspiration for art. I needed a place to be on my own but also some setup that would allow me to meet/talk to people and do activities. Epinard gave me the experience starting with pickup and lunch at an authentic ramen place with Ikuko and her kids. I immediately felt welcome. That same night, I had dinner with the others guests and Ikuko's family and shared a handrolled sushi meal. After which we headed to a traditonal onsen in Hakone, my first experience of that with a lovely fellow guest I just met. Masami drove us and toured us in Hakone almost at midnight and even stopped for us to listen to the waterfalls. I got to walk and hike with Masami and we shared some talks about life, nature, art and community. I saw his sincere dedication to connect people through his home and build a community. I felt inspired to create something like this in the future. Through him, I met some good people the last day who has shared to me new insights I needed that time. I think the energy in Epinard and the sincere intention and enthusiasm of the hosts to connect with you really makes this experience unique. I hope to meet them again or invited them to my own home in the future.

Lei, Phillippines

This stay, on top of being in a gorgeous home and area (I love Oiso!), was life changing for me because of the hospitality and warmth of Masami and Ikuko. I had the opportunity to meet people I think I will be friends with for years to come. Masami is a fascinating and truly kind individual, who will wake up at 5am with you to go see Fuji san in the early morning light. Ikuko's cooking is second to none, and she gives off such warm vibes. I wish I could have stayed longer. I will certainly return as quickly as I can. If you are reading this review and still aren't sure, please consider staying here for part of your trip. They have changed my life, actually.

Lynn, USA

I spent the year-end and new year weekend in Ikuko and Masami’s family house with three other guest groups, and it was a unique, special experience of cultural, cooperative and artistic activities. The host family did not only provided me with hospitality in transport (train station, temples, restaurants, etc) and all that is described in the webpage (meals, towels, hangers, beautiful bedroom, etc), but also the opportunities to join the events of the house, which was the gem of staying here. I appreciated learning their traditional ways of welcoming the new year (visiting temples, family gatherings, special meals, calligraphy, etc), playing music and painting/drawing with other guests, sharing our own stories by the table at the start of the year. I would recommend Ikuko and Masami’s family house to those who are open to new cultural experience and artistic inspiration!

Eunyoung, South Korea

What an unforgettable experience! We were welcomed as one of the family - Masami picked us up at the station and was very generous in showing us all that Oiso has to offer! We experienced such a lot in just 24 hours - antique shopping, shared udon dinner, relaxing Onsen at Hakone, cycling to the beach and enjoying the great stay at Epinard - a unique home and creative space. Before we left for Kyoto, we joined Ikuko, Masami and their friends for hanami to celebrate sakura season. It was also great to meet other travellers on their journeys in Japan, there is a great sense of community here. We would highly recommend staying at Epinard - you won’t regret it! Thank you Ikuko and Masami, you have created something very special for yourselves and for your guests, and we will remember our time with you always

Stefano, United Kingdom

We loved our stay at Epinard! It was one of the highlight of our trip to Japan, staying with this family of artists. Unique house built by Masame, oishi cooking by Ikuko, fun to enjoy breakfast/dinners/impromptu jam sessions in the music hall with everyone. Hospitality was unparalleled- we got picked up and dropped off at the train station, surfed Oiso beach with Masame, and also visited a charming little recordlibrary cafe in the neighboring Surf town of Chigasaki. It was lovely sharing a home with the community of like minded people, and made it feel like a home away from home.

Eileen, USA