Staying here was honestly one of the best decisions we have ever made :) Dane is a great host! We had great conversations and he has so much knowledge and experiences to share with us. We did BBQ here and would absolutely recommend! It's very rare to be able to do a proper cook out in Japan. Would 110% bring friends along and come back during summer, to try out the different water sports the place has to offer. Thank you for the awesome time, can't wait to be back!!

Dane’s house is killer if you are looking to surf in Japan. However, I would like to provide some details, considering the fact that there is little information online about surfing in Katsura and specifically Dane’s house from a surf tourist standpoint. If you are an intermediate surfer or better, the surf scene at main peak is fun (although is will be extremely crowded! And this is coming from a SoCal local used to surfing in the crowds, like I never saw anything like it). However, the surf is still very fun considering the novelty, my buddy and I scored super fun waves while just cruising through Japan doing touristy stuff, so if you want to surf this is really the best and borderline only spot to go in Katsura. However, be warned that this was NOT A GUESTHOUSE AND WE WERE NOT TREATED AS GUESTS! Despite the “I’m a super chill surfer vibe” the house and Dane tries to pull off, Dane will nickel and dime you constantly. Oh you want a ride that’s 1000 yen, oh dinner yeah that’ll be 1400 yen mate, oh you’re trying to rent boards, yeah I’ll charge you for ever single session so even if you’re trying to get a quick evening surf in that’ll be $80 USD FOR 40 minutes. I get that this is a business, but after staying at many guest houses in Japan were I actually felt like I was a welcomed guest, I felt like a customer at Dane’s. To further support this point, Dane called me a customer rather than a guest while introducing me to his wife at dinner. Little thing, but got a weird vibe. Also not sure how much his wife and kids are into it. So if you are going to try and surf in Japan my advice is bring your own wetsuit and board (so Dane can’t charge you for that) and you should be good. Place is right on the beach, totally worth it easily a highlight of my trip, I am simply frustrated with the lack of hospitality and how Dane runs the place, aka very poorly unless you have buckets of money then he will milk you for all you’re worth. It could have been THE HIGHLIGHT, but Dane’s greed killed the vibe. We’re poor backpackering surfers dude, gotta have some common sense. But I’m not trying to totally rip on this place, Dane’s trying to make a living and he’s close to having a cool setup, so Dane here’s some recommendations. Charge for a daily surf package (no more than you currently charge for a full session because we would have gone in the evening and been feeling way better about it all but again nickel and diming) Don’t charge us for every little thing, like offer to let us do FREE LAUNDRY, or to drive us to the bath house for FREE. Little things like that go such a long way. Also offer to take FREE PHOTOS for 15 minutes or something. Finally, please use less “surf lingo” like two footers are fun, but they aren’t EPICCCCC. You’re a good dude, so I’m offering some constructive criticism. Of course this is a business, but somehow every other Japanese guesthouse runs a hospitable business where I felt so welcomed and honestly shocked by their hospitality aka free breakfast, random free desert, free laundry. If we’re paying hotel prices for a room in your house you gotta do a little more than a room and toast and jam.

Perfect for surfing. Dane is a great teacher - I’ve done lessons at other places (France, Morocco, Kanagawa) but never had it “click” like with Dane. He really wants you to improve. The guesthouse is also lovely with a beautiful deck that looks right into the ocean.

Dane and his family are incredibly hospitable and offered a truly unique experience that is hard to find in this day and age! My friends and I came and stayed at splash guesthouse on two different occasions on different trips to Japan. We had amazing authentic homemade Japanese meals and were shown around just like we were one of the family. All of his information and knowledge is first rate and you could tell that he really knows the local culture and everything going on in the region. The gear rentals we used were very nice and well priced. I would love to come back! Thank you again for everything and hope to see you guys in the coming seasons!!

Fantastic place, right in the middle of Hebara beach. The owner, Dane, is super nice and friendly. He picked us up from the train station and made us feel comfortable and relaxed throughout our entire stay. The guest house has a superb deck overlooking the beach. We had a barbeque in the evening with fellow guests and were able to see a beautiful sunrise in the morning. Dane is always helpful in arranging activities and he sorted out a surfing lesson for us smoothly at the last minute. Breakfast is a bit 1970s style British with just white toast and jam. Some healthier options such as cereal and fruit might be mite suited for the active crowd usually staying at this place. Overall a great stay, and we will gladly come back again.

Very conveniently located. Right on a gorgeous beach. The guest house has a good amount of things to keep you occupied (all rental). We took bikes around the coast which was wonderful. There is a lot of information about the area available. However, it is INCREDIBLY expensive for what you get. You get a room for the night (no double beds) and a piece of toast in the morning. The toilet and shower are communal and time limited. It's a hostel charging hotel prices. Everything costs you extra, including simple things like a lift in the hosts car to a facility he suggests you go to so strongly that you feel like you can't refuse. He's also not very flexible when it comes to getting a lift back to the station after your holiday. The host is pretty intense, so if you're wanting a quiet experience, without 20 minute answers to every simple question, consider staying in the self contained facilities rather than the house itself (and I'm rather a people person...) Also since breakfast is from 7am, you want to go to bed early because the guests' and host's voice will wake you up. Worth a visit if you want to go surfing, but perhaps not the best for everyone.

Had a great time on the waves with Dane! Thoughtful, enthusiastic teacher who really focuses on technique to get you up and going quickly. Rusty got some great pics from the beach. Was a blast, coming back with the kids!

Dane & Madoka have been really nice to us! Location is beautiful and you can rent good surf material. Dane has many good advises to share: food location, places to visit, where to surf... 😊 all good, thank you

best location Umi no Mae Guest House fun owner Impressive handmade guest house From the comfort of your warm bed, you can watch the sun rise above the horizon.

Can't recommend this place more highly. The owner is so passionate about what he does and it shows. Amazing location next to the beach (so not far to travel with a board if you're surfing). Dane was even kind enough to drop us back to the station (something he really didn't have to do). If I could give Splash guesthouse 6 stars for everything I would