Waah what a cool trip report (even if it also sounds pretty intense overall!). The place you stay at looks lovely! Although oof on the utter lack on insulation haha. I remember a friend's inviting me to her grandparents' place one winter when I was a lot younger and I spent the whole day under the kotatsu with the grandma, I couldn't cope 😂

Looking forward to what you thought of the short stories, sounds fun!