Kouya

古民家やど紺屋 -こうや-
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Though every farmhouse stay in Iya offers its own unique characteristics, Kouya is perhaps one of the best in many ways. Located deep within the tranquil mountainside village of Kubo in Oku-Iya, this family-run thatched-roof kominka has been lived in by the same family for generations. The house is well over a hundred years old and is nationally registered as a historically significant property. 
Offering broad views of Iya's mountains, staying here provides a true feeling of being surrounded by nature, with much of their food sourced right from the farm field in front of the house (see below for more about their amazing meals). This large, multi-room home has been carefully restored and can sleep up to seven people. Since it is fully hosted by the wonderfully attentive owners, we also list this as a 'Guest House", however only one group is taken per stay (so it is not a shared accomodation, even if you are alone), with the owners staying in a neighboring building and giving you full use of the house. 
As with any old-style home in Iya, life at Kouya centers around their large irori floor hearth, where their truely local meals are slow cooked in a traditional way. A couple other rooms branch off to each side, including a large bedroom where you sleep in fluffy Japanese-style futons upon their broad red pine floor boards. A second irori hearth is located in an adjacent room which also has a cast-iron wood stove that makes it cozy during the colder winter months. 
Though the outside of Kouya's thick thatched roof has been covered with steel in order to protect it from rot, from the inside it is amazing to look up at the ancient blackened roof to see the intricate weave of bamboo and thatch. And though the home retains much of its classic design and architecture, including paper sliding doors and exposed wood beams, it has also been updated with a modern bathroom and toilet, and also offers WiFi.
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 ¥13,000 per night per person, includes dinner and breakfast
 Children under 12 - ¥6,000 
 Children under 6 - ¥3,000 

Spring water and bancha tea from Kouya's farm available, but please bring your own alcohol or other drinks.
My trip
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Local Points
 Kouya   is located within the hillside farm village of Kubo. Its south-facing position offers lots of sunlight and great views of the mountains, including  Mt Miune  which is right across the valley. Being that Kouya is in the center of Oku-Iya, it can be a great base for exploring the area, including  Ochiai Village  (about 10+ minutes away),  Scarecrow Village  (about 15 minutes away), and the  Double Vine Bridges  (about 20 minutes away). Its also fairly convenient to all the main mountain hiking trails.
There aren't any shops close to  Kouya,   with the nearest being the small  Miyanishi Shop  over in Ochiai, so if wanting some snacks or beers, it would be smart to do any shopping before arrival.
Access by Car
By car,  Kouya  is about 45-50 minutes from  Oboke  or about 30-35 minutes from  Kazurabashi Junction  (Rt 32 becomes one-laned at various points after here). Follow this road about 15 minutes, and you will reach  Tochinose  which is at the entrance to Kyojo Tunnel and where Rt 32 merges with and becomes Rt 439. Continue on Rt 439 about 15 mintues, going past the tight collection of houses of  Lower Ochiai.  About 5 minutes from there on Rt 439 you will reach the small cluster of roadside homes of  Kubo  where after passing the homes here you should take the small road that goes immediately up to the left (there is a sign for Kouya here, but its in Japanese).
This narrow road twists and climbs up into the Kubo village, and you will pass several farmhouses. Follow the road about 1.5km, with a couple points where the road splits and signs direct which way to go for  Kouya  (first left, then right, and then right again). Just after the final right turn, Kouya is reached by going down a gravel driveway off to the right, with a small sign at the driveway entrance.
Access by Bus
The closest bus stop for  Kouya  is the  Kubo Bus Stop  which is the final stop on the main Shikoku Kotsu Bus Line from  JR Oboke Station  and/or  Awa-Ikeda Bus Terminal.  The Kubo Bus Stop is also the main transfer point for the local Oku-Iya Municiple Buses which go to/from points deeper in Oku-Iya, such as the  Scarecrow Village,  the  Double Vine Bridges,  and  Minokoshi  (which is the base for climbing Mt Tsurugi, and transfer point for seasonal buses going to JR Sadamitsu and JR Anabuki Stations).
Its a mostly uphill 1.5+ km walk to Kouya from Kubo Bus Stop, but if you let them know beforehand, they will be ready to come down and pick you up from there.
Meals at Kouya
Aside from its peaceful location, fantastic structural atmosphere, and delightful owners, one of the main highlights of staying at Kouya is their meals. Using traditional cooking methods and age-old recipies that are endemic to the Iya Valley, each season offers a different menu. Guest are invited to help prepare the meals if interested, from picking the day's produce in their field, to hand rolling and cutting soba noodles. Rice is made in a traditional hagama pot, and over the iriori floor hearth is cooked whatever soup, stew, or barbecue dish they are serving (which may include amego river trout or wild boar hot-pot).
Kouya is also one of the few places where you can have Iya's signature dish of hirara-yaki, which of course, is also cooked over the irori. This hearty meal is made by building a thick wall of miso paste around an iron griddle, and inside is added potatoes, konnyaku, local "stone" tofu, amego, and other ingredients that are slowly simmered in a rich brew of sake. Indeed, it is the true taste of Iya (read more about hirara-yaki here).
To book your stay with Kouya you need to contact them directly by email at:   kouya.18.508@gmail.com
*But please use simple English with short clear sentences when writing your request (and for dates, write the month name, such as "September", and not just the number).

Or for more about Kouya, check their website (in Japanese):
Go To Kouya website