Stay at Kominka Hotels, and Explore Traditional Towns

Many Japanese towns still keep their local culinary or cultural tradition. The best way to experience their traditional community lifestyle is to stay at a kominka (an old Japanese folk house) hotel. Slow down and enjoy your time at a Kominka hotel that fits into the atmosphere of the traditional streetscape.

Sabae: the city of eyeglass (Fukui Prefecture)

Sabae is one of the largest eyeglass producers accounting for roughly 96 percent and 20 percent of the domestic and global market respectively. Sabae’s eyeglass manufacturing started more than 100 years ago as farmers’ moonlighting while they were snowbound in winter. Today, Sabae is known as the center of the world-leading technology of eyeglass manufacturing and their products have been highly valued for their quality.

Sabae

SABAE MEGANE HOUSE is a kominka-turned-to-hotel in a small community. You will find eyeglass-inspired lanterns and noren (short curtains) at the entrance as well as all eyeglass-themed gadgets and decorations inside the hotel. The décor is a unique, photo-worthy composition including lampshades made of eyeglass material, hanging mobiles made of eyeglass temples, and a chandelier made of eyeglass parts. You can try and find your favorite Sabae eyeglasses among many of them stored in the Echizen-tansu (chest), a traditional craftwork of the region. The hotel accommodates up to 14 guests and is usually reserved by one group at a time; we recommend booking with your friends or family members as a group.

SABAE MEGANE HOUSE
SABAE MEGANE HOUSE
SABAE MEGANE HOUSE
SABAE MEGANE HOUSE
SABAE MEGANE HOUSE

Address 31-17 Besshi Town, Sabae City, Fukui
Access 23–33 min by bus from JR Sabae Sta.
URL https://sabae-megane-house.com/

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Hida Takayama: the town of fine carpentry and woodcrafts (Gifu Prefecture)

The Hida Takayama area is one of the most prolific producers of carpentry and woodcrafts in Japan. The region’s carpenters and woodworkers called “Hida no Takumi” (Hida’s artisans) contributed to building Kyoto, the capital city 1,300 years ago. Based on this long-established expertise, and with rich forests in the region, a Western-style furniture manufacturer started business in 1920, using the bentwood technology introduced from the West. Following that, during the last 100 years Hida’s woodcrafts have become a world-wide brand name.

Hida Takayama

The Hida Takayama area is one of the most prolific producers of carpentry and woodcrafts in Japan. The region’s carpenters and woodworkers called “Hida no Takumi” (Hida’s artisans) contributed to building Kyoto, the capital city 1,300 years ago. Based on this long-established expertise, and with rich forests in the region, a Western-style furniture manufacturer started business in 1920, using the bentwood technology introduced from the West. Following that, during the last 100 years Hida’s woodcrafts have become a world-wide brand name.

SATOYAMA STAY NINO-MACHI
SATOYAMA STAY NINO-MACHI
SATOYAMA STAY NINO-MACHI
SATOYAMA STAY NINO-MACHI

[SATOYAMA STAY NINO-MACHI]

Address:11-32 Ninomachi, Furukawa-cho, Hida City, Gifu
Access: 8 min walk from JR Hida Furukawa Sta.

[SATOYAMA STAY TONO-MACHI]

SATOYAMA STAY TONO-MACHI

Address:7-21 Tonomachi, Furukawa-cho, Hida City, Gifu
Access: 3 min walk from JR Hida Furukawa Sta.

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Yame: the town of tea (Fukuoka Prefecture)

Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is the largest producer of gyokuro, the highest-grade Japanese green tea. This region is perfectly suitable for tea cultivation because of a considerable temperature gap between day and night, and fog is common in the morning and evening in the mountainous areas. Yame’s tea farmers have practiced the old tea-making method for generations and established a solid reputation as a green tea brand well-loved around the country.

Yame City

写真提供:八女市

Yame City

写真提供:八女市

NIPPONIA HOTEL Yame Fukushima Merchant Town is a hotel complex consisting of two renovated historical commercial buildings that, respectively, used to be a sake brewery and a tea shop. During your stay, you can enjoy green tea in different ways such as green tea cuisine, tea-leaf bath, and a walk through the tea fields. Experience the Yame tea cultural heritage using all your senses.

NIPPONIA HOTEL Yame Fukushima Merchant Town
NIPPONIA HOTEL Yame Fukushima Merchant Town
NIPPONIA HOTEL Yame Fukushima Merchant Town
NIPPONIA HOTEL Yame Fukushima Merchant Town

Address 31-17 Besshi Town, Sabae City, Fukui
Access 23–33 min by bus from JR Sabae Sta.

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The information herein is as of December 2023
Writer
Mai
I was born in Kagoshima Prefecture and have lived in different parts of Kyushu. A lover of food, sake, and hot springs in Kyushu, my goal is to become a “Sen-nin” (hot spring master), the highest rank for those who accomplish the “Tour of the Eighty-eight Hot Springs in Kyushu.” I hope to convey the fascinating aspects of Japan while featuring my beloved homeland Kyushu!

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