Yamaura Stay

We stayed at a lovely inn in Yatsugatake as a family. The spacious, single-story house was so large that the kids could run around and play freely, making for a time filled with smiles and joy.In the morning, we enjoyed the cool air in the garden while taking in the panoramic view of the Yatsugatake mountains right in front of us. At night, we shared a luxurious experience of stargazing from the garden with the kids—a rare treat in the city.Even though the living room didn’t have air conditioning, the low humidity made it comfortable with just the ceiling fan. The bedroom was equipped with air conditioning, which was a relief, especially for our baby who gets hot easily. The availability of a diaper disposal bin and a washing machine was also incredibly convenient, allowing us to quickly clean the kids' clothes during our stay.The bathroom, with its Teppei stone finish, was truly wonderful. It was spacious enough for the whole family—including our 3-year-old and infant—to bathe together. The chamomile bath salts added a sweet aroma, enhancing our relaxation.We opted to cook dinner ourselves, and not only was the kitchen well-equipped with utensils, but we also got to use dishware that had been stored in an old farmhouse for years. Although we were worried about the kids breaking them, it was refreshing and exciting to let them use ceramic dishes instead of the usual plastic ones.Since we had the entire house to ourselves, we could relax and enjoy our dinner without worrying about disturbing other guests, even with the kids around.The staff were incredibly kind and thoughtful, providing futons in the tatami room for us to use with the children. We really appreciated their attentiveness.The bedroom featured a *tokonoma* (alcove) with walls preserved from the original construction, which added a touch of elegance. It felt as if the old memories of the house had come back to life, and we felt a connection to that history. Local residents even placed fresh flowers in the room, making us feel warmly welcomed.The breakfast delivery, made with local ingredients, was also fantastic—especially the perilla muffins, which were absolutely delicious. The portions were so generous that we remained full until lunchtime.The tap water, sourced from the Southern Alps, was surprisingly delicious.Overall, staying at Yamaura Stay felt like being at home, while also enjoying the extraordinary experiences of Yatsugatake's breathtaking views and the charm of the old farmhouse.We definitely hope to visit again.

Our stay in Chino was everything we could have asked for and more! Everybody was so friendly, kind and excited to share their culture with us. I highly recommend a homestay, any cooking activities and a bike tour if you can handle the hills. The local public onsen as well as the one at our ryokan was wonderful. The countryside in early May was gorgeous, from the greenery to the surrounding mountain ranges. Honestly, my husband and I can't wait for the chance to come back again!

If you are looking for an authentic way to experience Japanese culture, then a visit to Chino in the Nagano prefecture is it!Megan and Sebastian from Yamaura Stay were so lovely and helped us organise our itinerary by tailoring our Japanese village experience. We stayed in Hanato a traditional farmhouse in the village of Sasahara in the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains. Hanato was comfortable and clean and a gorgeous place to stay with it's giant cherry blossom trees and pristine mountain streams.We did several activities in and around the village whose local culture, food and hospitality were amazing. A must do when visiting Japan.

My husband and I had a wonderful time thanks to Sebastian and Megan at Yamaura Stay.We did a bike tour the first day and were delighted by the farmhouse that evening as we settled in by doing "Cooking with Grannys" we had a lovely conversation thanks to our interpreter and are so excited to try recipes we learned and inspired.Then we did a bike rental day, it was a cold day and were so grateful that Yamaura Stay made sure we had a lunch reservation at a very cozy and delicious vegetarian restaurant.Finished the day with a stay at the Onsen hotel.We recommend this for anyone looking to explore rural areas and feel more in touch with Japanese culture.