I had a wonderful time at Masaru's place and it's very obvious he loves hosting guests from all over the world. He has very good hospitality and he and his wife kept trying to feed me, especially when there are new guests, who he will usually welcome with Japanese curry and some soup. Thank you for the food and drinks, Masaru-san! He will also pick you up from the train station at Tsurukawa upon your arrival to drive you to his home because the flight of stairs up to his place is almost impossible with bulky and heavy luggage. Be sure to save up some energy at the end of the day for the climb up to the house! It takes a bit getting used to but I like the quiet and tranquility of the neighbourhood. I also loved their little dog Yuri, who they occasionally let me feed with carrots and persimmons.
If you're looking for an affordable place in Tokyo and don't mind the distance from the city, this is the place to stay!