ATAGOYA is located in the Atago area in the northern part of Hamamatsu City, a nature-rich region surrounded by mountains.

This article was created on December 20, 2023.

One kind of extraordinary experience is to see things you’ve never seen before and try things you’ve never experienced before—an adventure driven by curiosity.

The other is an extraordinary experience of simply doing nothing.

Everyone is busy every day, each with their own roles and circumstances.

Instead of titles like section manager or director, husband or wife, mom or dad, how about enjoying some luxurious time for adults where you can return to your true self?

The accommodation we would like to introduce this time is “ATAGOYA,” located in Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the writer spent around 200 days a year overseas, traveling between hotels around the world.

Even so, this is one of the inns that can truly be recommended without hesitation.

What is ATAGOYA?

ATAGOYA is located in the Atago area in the northern part of Hamamatsu City, a nature-rich region surrounded by mountains.

The property consists of two buildings—the main building and an annex—both offered as private, entire-house rentals, allowing guests to fully enjoy a high-quality, secluded space. (This is also an accommodation that international visitors may find enjoyable.)

For this stay, we stayed in the annex, but the main building is also very attractive, so we were given special permission to take photos of it as well.

The main building looks as if you’ve stepped back in time, and every angle you capture feels like a picture-perfect scene.

Changing the time of day you shoot also brings out completely different atmospheres, which is another part of its charm.

By the way, this photo was taken at night.

Pretty nice, isn’t it?

This historic kominka, with over 160 years of history, was renovated and has been repurposed as an accommodation since 2018.

There is something strangely nostalgic about it, as if it naturally brings back familiar feelings.

Having worked in the travel and tourism industry for many years, the writer has a deep appreciation for places with history.

Imagining the stories behind them, reading about their background, and then seeing them in person often brings a sense of quiet satisfaction—it’s a truly enjoyable experience.

In the main building, there were many elements that sparked that sense of curiosity, and it was hard not to feel a growing sense of excitement.

The safe, the telephone door, and the atmosphere of the kitchen—all of these details invite curiosity.

How were they used? Why were they designed in this particular shape? Simply imagining these things is part of the fun.

For example, the gourd placed by the window—don’t you find yourself wondering why it’s there?

In the past, gourds were used as containers for storing sake.

It is said that placing a gourd outside the window once served as a sign that “there is a banquet here today.”

That kind of story naturally makes you go, “Ah, I see—that’s fascinating.”

In the main building, the large room on the second floor serves as a bedroom, where futons can be laid out side by side, making it suitable even for larger groups.

On the day before our visit, it seems that nearly 20 guests stayed there after an event celebration.

Areas that required restoration have been carefully repaired, while many pieces of furniture and fittings still remain that convey the atmosphere of the time.

While incorporating modern elements such as a sauna and a projector, the nostalgic atmosphere remains beautifully intact, which is especially captivating.

The words spoken by the owner of ATAGOYA at a recent event kept coming back to mind throughout the visit.

“Everything we have today—these buildings and objects—are only on temporary loan. We are simply entrusted with them by those who came before us, and our role is to take care of them and pass them on to future generations.”

It’s a truly powerful and inspiring message.

Our stay was in the annex of ATAGOYA.

This building is the perfect embodiment of what you might call “retro-modern.”

It feels new, yet nostalgic.

It carries a sense of history, yet also feels fresh.

The stylish interior space is beautifully designed, and yet it has an unexpectedly calming atmosphere that is simply irresistible.

The space is spacious and easy to relax in.

Turning off the TV and spending time with a cup of coffee and a good book feels like pure luxury.

This area can also be transformed into a VOD viewing space simply by lowering the roll-down curtains.

In addition, a speaker system is fully equipped, allowing you to connect your smartphone and play your favorite music or podcasts.

The kitchen is stocked with the latest popular appliances, along with well-designed, easy-to-use cooking tools and tableware that reflect great taste and attention to detail.

Guests are free to bring their own food, but for those who prefer not to cook while traveling, there is “Atago Horumon” located next door.

It is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and making a reservation in advance is recommended.

And yes—the annex also comes with a private sauna.

Although sauna culture has been trending for the past few years, this was the writer’s first experience with a private sauna.

Firewood is added to the stove, gradually raising the temperature.

Once the stones around the stove are sufficiently heated, water is poured over them to create steam (löyly).

As a beginner, the writer quickly found themselves sweating profusely.

Stepping outside afterward, a refreshing natural breeze from Atago’s lush surroundings in Hamamatsu provided the perfect cooling experience.

With few houses around, it’s also wonderfully romantic to quietly gaze up at the stars.

After a refreshing sauna session, it’s finally time to rest.

The sleeping areas include two rooms on the second floor and one on the first floor, and accommodations are prepared according to the number of guests in your reservation.

The morning after a deep and restful sleep begins with a cypress bath.

This luxurious hinoki bath feels almost too spacious for one person, yet it is large enough for two adults to stretch out comfortably.

Of course, there is also a special kind of joy in enjoying it all to oneself.

After warming up thoroughly in the bath, you can slowly enjoy breakfast while taking in the surrounding scenery.

While it is of course possible to prepare a meal in the morning, bringing bread from a favorite bakery and simply warming it up is enough to create a truly blissful moment.

The writer stayed on November 30, when the autumn leaves had only just begun to change, with the colors at around 30% of their peak.

No matter the season, this is a place where you can enjoy the beauty of nature throughout the year.

It is a wonderful space where you can enjoy a luxurious moment alone, spend relaxing time with a partner or spouse, or gather with family and friends to create special memories together.

For more details, please visit the official website.

Official Website: https://www.atagoya.jp/

*The information in this article is subject to change.