辿る About

静かな時間に浸り、 Steeped in stillness,

何かが a place where

始まる場所。 something begins

想いConcept

In the old days, our kyakuden (“guest house”) for visitors from far-off places was the tatami rooms where we hosted them at the Masuichi main residence. The arrival of a visitor to rural Obuse was a special, festive occasion not only for the host but also for the family and household staff. It was a valuable opportunity for intellectual enrichment and to gather important information.

Masuichi Kyakuden was born from our desire to bring this tradition into the present, to create a place for fellowship and exchange in the Obuse of today. Ours is a new kind of hotel, ideal for leisure and family holidays, business trips, and corporate retreats or meetings, or for accommodating visiting relatives.

At the heart of everything we do is the belief that, ideally, we would welcome you into our own home. We invite you to enjoy Obuse’s streets and chestnut orchards as freely as you would your own garden.

紐解くHistory

Trace the history of Obuse and Masuichi Kyakuden.
“Ideally, we would welcome you into our own home.”

Discover the spirit of hospitality passed down through generations in Obuse and the town’s history of collaborative development—stories that continue to resonate today.

Edo Period

Welcoming Writers and Artists: The Origins of Obuse Hospitality

Takai Kōzan and Katsushika Hokusai

Takai Kōzan (1806–1883), then head of the Ichimura family, invited Katsushika Hokusai and many other writers and artists to Obuse.
Welcoming visitors with the utmost care, fostered fellowship and the exchange of ideas. These are the roots of Masuichi Kyakuden hospitality.

1976

Opening of the Hokusai-kan Museum and a Growing Awareness of the Need for Preservation

Amid efforts to introduce “Obuse’s Hokusai” to a wider audience, the Hokusai-kan Museum was established to collect local works by Hokusai and prevent them from leaving the region, while also serving as a center for Hokusai research. The museum drew visitors to Obuse from across Japan, creating a need to develop the town to better welcome them.

1980s

Townscape Renovation Project: Adapting the Old to Create Something New

“The outside belongs to all; the inside belongs to you.”

The project to reshape the townscape around Obusedō began with landowners representing different interests—private individuals, businesses, and the local government—meeting and engaging in dialogue as equals. The result was a distinctive space that has come to symbolize Obuse, one comfortable for both residents and travelers alike. It also heightened community-wide recognition of the importance of a scenic townscape.

Sept. 2007

Opening of Masuichi Kyakuden, a New Chapter in Townscape Renovation

“Ideally, we would welcome you into our own home.” Guided by this sentiment, the hotel embodies the Ichimura family’s distinctive approach to welcoming guests.

Relocation and Renewal of Historic Buildings

Involving young staff members in the process of revitalizing traditional architecture—of renovating both relocated earthen storehouses and existing buildings—helped pass on knowledge and skills.

Guestrooms for Gathering

Rooms were designed to give families and groups plenty of space to relax and converse together.

Experiencing the Town

We invite you to step outside and immerse yourself in the “space to savor” that emerged from the Townscape Renovation Project, and to experience the rhythms of everyday life in Obuse as part of your stay.

味わい空間A Space to Savor

Reshaped by the Townscape Renovation Project, the Area around Obusedō is “a Space to Savor”
The neighborhood around Obusedō was reshaped through the Townscape Renovation Project, creating an area of scenic beauty. It has also become a place to experience and enjoy Obuse’s food, local character, and way of life with all five senses. We describe it as “a space to savor.” Walk the town’s charming lanes, take in its character, and soak in the tranquility of its traditional storehouses. We invite you, as a special guest in Obuse, to savor every moment of your time here.