From Kyoto to Cromer

Bringing the Japanese art of Omotenashi to North Cottage Cromer

There is a specific feeling we long for when we travel. It’s that moment when you arrive at your destination, drop your bags, and feel your shoulders instantly relax. You don’t have to do anything more; everything you need is right there.

We really understood this when we fulfilled our dream of travelling in Japan. During our travels across this amazing country, where tradition nestles effortlessly with high-tech, we became fascinated by a cultural concept that perfectly captures this sensation of feeling at home. In Japan it’s known as “Omotenashi” pronounced “oh-moh-teh-nah-shee”.

Often translated as “hospitality,” Omotenashi actually goes much deeper. It is the art of wholeheartedly looking after guests – anticipating their needs before they even realise they have them. It’s hospitality delivered without expectation of reward. The intention is to ensure the visitor feels immediately at ease.

Kyoto, Japan, scene across pine trees and traditional rooftops. — Kyoto, Japan

As owners of North Cottage Cromer, a luxury large holiday cottage in North Norfolk, this Japanese philosophy immediately struck a chord with us. It felt familiar, because it’s exactly what we have always strived to achieve for our guests arriving for their stay at our property. Thankfully the reviews suggest our guests are noticing:

“Jerry and Andrea were exceptional hosts and their concern for our well-being was evident from first to last, even remotely turning on the heating when the temperature dropped over the weekend”.
Mike, Yorkshire, September 2025

Bags arriving on the baggage belt Miyakojima, Japan

Lessons From the Baggage Belt

In Japan, the commitment to guest comfort is visible in even the smallest, but important details. Japan Airlines offers all passengers complimentary juices from the trolley. While onboard when we produced our own snack cabin staff immediately offered us wipes for our hands.

But perhaps the most striking example we noticed was at the airport. Watching the luggage carousel, we realised that every single suitcase arrived with the handle facing outwards, ready to be grabbed without any struggle. We noticed the ground staff were meticulously re-orientating any stray bags just as they emerged through the hatch. At Kansai airport, near Osaka, there was even a special bin right by the exit just for disposing of luggage tags, saving passengers from hunting for a bin later.

Of course, these aren’t grand gestures; they represent thoughtful precision designed to remove the small stresses from everyday travel and they really do make a difference.

A cool towel awaits in Japanese restaurants, just a small but important part of recognising guest need at every moment. — A cool wipe placed neatly alongside chopsticks.

In Japanese restaurants, no matter how inexpensive, a cool towel is waiting right next to your chopsticks when you sit down. A basket is quickly produced to store your bag or coat under the table so your possessions don’t have to touch the floor. A glass of water, or green tea is produced without asking and without charge. Diners immediately feel welcome and attended to, their needs fully anticipated.

Bringing Omotenashi to every stay

When we thought about creating the guest experience at North Cottage Cromer, we wanted to capture that special “Omotenashi” spirit of anticipation we’d experienced. Our goal is from the moment you see us ready and waiting to welcome you, you will feel completely at home.

When guest reviews exclaim, “You’ve thought of everything” to us, that’s the Norfolk version of Omotenashi.

Our pruning style has been influenced by visits to Japanese gardens. North Lodge is featured beyond the front wall.

“Absolutely loved staying here, Jerry and Andrea were super responsive and communicative; truly lovely hosts. They recommended a number of places to eat and also helped us plan a beach walking route for our group.”
Emily, Leicester, September 2025

The buxus ball globes, and clipped bay standards are inspired by Japanese garden design

This “thinking of everything” means ensuring the kitchen isn’t just stocked, but is equipped with the specific utensils you need to actually cook a large family meal for 12. It means providing guest beach towels and a beach trolley to transport them down to the sand, so you don’t have to stuff the car with bulky items and drive them from home.

Bench in the exotic garden North Cottage Cromer, award winning holiday North Norfolk, sleeps 12. — Taking in the view, the exotic garden. The precisely placed pebbles are Japanese inspired.

We’ve given a lot of thought to guest experience during the quieter moments too. We’ve placed garden seating strategically to maximise the pleasure and the fragrance. Inside the cottage you’ll find plenty more relaxing spaces, adorned with exotic plants to create calm. We even provide a collection of books, with an emphasis on the local area.

The Conservatory at luxury large holiday cottage North Cottage Cromer in Norfolk. — The conservatory at North Cottage Cromer is filled with exotic plants, a calming space to relax.

“The house is beautifully presented, extremely well equipped, clean and spacious. The garden is lovely to explore and so well thought out with additional seating areas to sit back and relax admiring the beautiful plants and flowers. The location is brilliant.”
Anna, Essex, June 2025

Aircraft dispatchers waving goodbye as an aircraft taxis away from stand. — Unbelievable. Baggage handlers wave aircraft passengers farewell.

A Fond Farewell – the Personal Touch

Finally, Japanese hospitality taught us that genuine connection matters. We were touched when staff at hotels, even some of the larger ones, would come outside to wave us goodbye until our taxi was out of sight. Amazingly aircraft dispatchers and baggage handlers stand in line and wave aircraft passengers goodbye as the aircraft taxi away from the stand. I know this seems far-fetched, but it’s true, as my photo proves.

It’s a tradition we love upholding at North Cottage Cromer. We always aim to be there to wave our guests off, and we take pride in the “above and beyond” moments—whether that’s helping a guest plan a specific beach walking route or posting back a forgotten teddy bear.

Exceptional Personal Service and Hospitality

The judges for the Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards noticed these touches. When they visited in January 2025, their children were immediately captivated by our collection of local fossils, some of them over 50m years old! Our discoveries usually prompt and encourage young guests to look out for their own ‘treasure’ on the beach.

“Jerry and Andrea’s warm, personal approach creates a standout guest experience. Their meet-and-greet style, attention to detail, and local knowledge contribute to a genuine sense of care and home-from-home comfort.”
Judges verdict, Winner, Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
Visit Suffolk and Norfolk 2025 Tourism Awards

North Cottage Cromer Finalist Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards 2026. Winner 2025. — North Cottage Cromer is a finalist in the March 2026 Tourism Awards. Winner in 2025.

It is this dedication to personal hosting that led us to be awarded Self Catering Accommodation of the Year in 2025. We’re finalists again for the 2026 awards, being held this week, and we’ve enjoyed reflecting on how our pleasure travelling in Japan has shaped our own hosting experience.

Like our Japanese hosts, we don’t do it for the trophies. We do it because we know how wonderful it feels when a host has genuinely thought about your comfort. It always makes us smile, and we hope we can make you smile too. We can’t wait to welcome you to Cromer. We’ll do our best to make you feel immediately at home, and yes we’ll even wave you goodbye at the end of your stay.

North Cottage Cromer is a luxury holiday cottage sleeping 12 guests on the North Norfolk Coast. Check our availability for your multi-generational celebration or family holiday here.