The Kindest Airbnb Host Ever and a Cherry Blossom Day We’ll Never Forget

After weeks or months in fact of fast paced travel, we gave ourselves the gift of a lazy morning in Hikari and it was just what we needed. No alarms, no rush, just the sound of waves outside our window and Dotty singing in her own way!

We made a slow breakfast, and soaked up the peaceful beachside vibe that this beautiful part of Yamaguchi Prefecture offers in spades.

When we were ready to venture out, we wandered over to the BoatHouse Café, just a few minutes from our Airbnb. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t try too hard it doesn’t need to. Locals and visitors alike gather there for coffee, fresh food, and the salty breeze that drifts in from the Seto Inland Sea. Their homemade lunch sets are simple and they even have a few veggie options. The café is run by the same incredible family who own our Airbnb and let me tell you, they’ve redefined hospitality.

We’ve had some wonderful stays through Airbnb, but our current host? Absolute legend. In all honesty, he might just be the kindest host in the history of the platform. He’s gifted us local snacks, stocked the place with thoughtful touches for the kids, and today, get this, he offered to drive us two hours to see what he called “the most beautiful cherry blossom spot in the region.”

And he wasn’t exaggerating!

We ended up in Iwakuni Yokoyama, a true hidden gem in Yamaguchi. We’d never even heard of it, but it quickly became one of the highlights of our whole trip. The Kintai Bridge greeted us with its iconic five wooden arches stretching elegantly across the Nishiki River. This bridge is nearly 350 years old (originally built in 1673), and it’s an engineering marvel made entirely of wood no nails! It’s especially striking in spring when cherry blossoms line the riverbanks like a scene out of a Studio Ghibli film.

The sun was shining, the air was warm, and everywhere we looked blossom. Soft pinks drifting through the breeze, families having picnics, photographers chasing the perfect shot. We walked slowly, soaking it all in.

Then our amazing host said, “Shall we take the cable car to the top?” Of course, we said yes.

Up we went on the Iwakuni Ropeway, which takes you up to Iwakuni Castle, perched high on Mount Shiroyama. From the top, the views were unreal you could see the bridge, the cherry trees, the river weaving through town, and all the way out to the Seto Inland Sea. The castle itself is a reconstruction, but it holds a little museum inside and the grounds are perfect for a wander and a rest in the shade.

It was honestly one of those days where everything just clicked. Amazing weather, beautiful scenery, happy kids, and a host who treated us like family, he is the kind of man everyone wishes was their grandad!

We returned just in time to watch the sunset over the sea from the beach near our Airbnb. The sky turned shades of orange and pink, the water shimmered, and the Georgia ran barefoot in the sand while I watched and… breathed it all in.

It’s days like this that remind us why we’re travelling.

And to our host if you ever stumble across this post, thank you. You gave us a memories we’ll carry forever.