辿る About
About Masuichi Kyakuden
Surrounded by the mountains of northern Nagano, Obuse is famous for its chestnuts and its ties to the ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai. A little town with an elusive charm, its history is woven into the fabric of everyday life. A part of Obuse’s beautiful townscape, Masuichi Kyakuden is a place to settle in and experience the town at your own pace. Slow down, immerse yourself in time all your own, and see what emerges from the stillness.
Obuse
Nagano
Prefecture
A Space to Savor
in the Heart of Obuse
Obuse’s Townscape Renovation Project sought to harmonize history and contemporary life. We describe the area around Obusedō, a neighborhood beautifully reshaped by this project, as “a space to savor.” During your stay at Masuichi Kyakuden, we invite you to enjoy this special place as if it were your own garden, experiencing Obuse’s history, food, and the flow of time with all five senses.
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Masuichi Kyakuden
Based on a design by John Morford, the property incorporates historic storehouses whose exteriors blend into the surrounding townscape and interiors feature modern bedrooms. A distinctive harmony of past and present, light and shadow, the space invites you to enjoy a time of quiet and calm.
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The Hokusai-kan Museum
Marked its fiftieth anniversary in 2026. A center for the collection, exhibition, and study of works by Katsushika Hokusai, the museum’s founding set the course for Obuse’s recent development.
The Hokusai-kan Museum -
San Poo Loh
Located across from the Hokusai-kan Museum, San Poo Loh looks like a glass box set into an earthen storehouse. Guests staying at Masuichi Kyakuden are served breakfast here. The entrance lobby also has a shop selling chestnut confections and chestnut ice cream.
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Evolve
Bringing fine dining to regional Japan, this Italian restaurant combines innovative cuisine with classic regional dishes.
Evolve -
Oni Bar
This bar on the second floor of San Poo Loh is named after the onigawara (ridge-end roof tiles with demon designs) made from local clay that decorate its interior. Seen outside the windows, the illuminated brick chimney of the Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery is a striking sight.
Instagram -
The Club
This restaurant occupies a remodeled portion of the Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery. Inspired by yoritsuki ryōri—the simple meals eaten by brewers living at the brewery during the winter brewing season—the cuisine showcases the natural flavors of local ingredients.
The Club -
Sanpūsha (Chestnut Confectionery Factory)
Obusedō’s chestnut confectionery factory is notable for the striking lines of its tiled roof. Designed with the view from the Hokusai-kan Museum in mind, it was an early example of a distinctive Obuse approach, one favoring architecture that complements the scenery as seen from other buildings. (Closed to the public.)
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Main Residence
The main residence where the Ichimura family once welcomed guests from far away. The arrival of guests was a special, festive occasion and an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy one another’s company.
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Entotsu Café
Housed in a converted rice-polishing storehouse, this café specializes in Mont Blanc Suzaku featuring Obusedō’s signature kurian chestnut paste. Enjoy it with a cup of our special Suzaku Blend coffee.
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Main Gate
The gate’s date of construction is unclear, but it already appears on diagrams of the estate as far back as 1750, more than 270 years ago. It was night when Katsushika Hokusai first passed through this gate in 1842 (Tenpō 13).
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Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery
The Masuichi brewery has been operated by the Ichimura family, which also runs Obusedō, for more than 270 years. Available for purchase at the brewery shop, its distinctive sake brands can also be sampled at the on-site tasting bar.
Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery -
Obusedō Honten Shop and Restaurant
Come here for Obusedō’s chestnut confections, including many that are seasonal or available only on-site. The restaurant offers seasonal set-course meals as well as café fare such as fresh chestnut sweets and shaved ice. Dinner is available by reservation for Masuichi Kyakuden guests.
Obusedō Honten Shop and Restaurant -
Naka Chestnut Confections / Masuichi House Naka
Housed in a renovated historic building, this new shop explores combinations. Enjoy a cup of coffee paired with sweets that combine Western-style confectionery with kurian chestnut paste.
A single guest room—Masuichi House Naka—occupies the second floor. -
Sanada-tei Sweets Café / Masuichi House Sanada-tei
Enjoy fresh chestnut desserts confections made in the café’s on-site kitchen. Large windows offer views of Mount Karida, the mountain that watches over Obuse.
A single guest room—Masuichi House Sanada-tei—occupies the second floor. -
Nobori no Hiroba
This parking lot shared by Obusedō, the Takai Kōzan Memorial Museum, and the local credit union is marked by its large nobori banners. Visitor numbers at each facility on weekdays and weekends made it practical to design the space for shared use. Inspired by Italian piazzas, it also occasionally serves as a venue for events.
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Taki Kōzan Memorial Museum
A museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Takai Kōzan, the twelfth head of the Ichimura household. The main building, named Yūzenrō, was Kōzan’s private retreat and served as a cultural salon where he welcomed Hokusai and other writers and artists. Built to kyōma dimensions, it evokes the atmosphere of a traditional Kyoto machiya townhouse.
Taki Kōzan Memorial Museum -
Kuri no Komichi
This walking path was created as part of the Townscape Renovation Project. It takes its name (“Chestnut Lane”) from its chestnut paving blocks, sourced from trees removed during thinning. The chestnut tree later transplanted to the path further reinforced the name. The wooden paving feels soft and warm underfoot.
巡る Explore
Explore Obuse
Obuse has a long history of welcoming travelers. Its charms include an atmospheric townscape that hums with everyday life, Hokusai’s artwork and designs, abundant chestnut harvests, and beautiful natural surroundings. The town is a pleasing harmony of past and present, of town and country. We invite you to explore Obuse at your own pace starting from Masuichi Kyakuden.
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Walking Obuse
Stroll along Kuri no Komichi and through the beautiful townscape to encounter Obuse’s historic charm. -
Townscape Renovation
Learn about the collaborative transformation of Obuse’s townscape and discover the philosophy behind its beauty. -
Food and Sake
Chestnut confections, sake, and seasonal local ingredients—savor the bounty of Obuse. -
Architecture and Art
Immerse yourself in historic buildings, works by artists such as Hokusai, and the town’s distinctive aesthetic sensibility. -
A Base for Winter Outings
Make Masuichi Kyakuden your home base for enjoying some of Japan’s best snow resorts such as Shiga Kōgen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myōkō.
過ごす Stay
Embrace Stillness
Masuichi Kyakuden preserves the character of its historic traditional storehouses and other buildings in spaces that feel modern but warm, and as inviting as a comfortable sofa. Whether turning the pages of a book or conversing with someone dear, time seems to flow a little more gently here.
Masuichi House offers rooms ideal for extended stays, uniquely situated above shops where chestnut confections are made.
桝一客殿Masuichi Kyakuden
Masuichi Kyakuden integrates several buildings, including relocated earthen storehouses once used by a sugar wholesaler and a document storehouse dating back to the Edo period. Designed by John Morford, the property features spacious private areas that draw on the character of the old storehouses. Exteriors that blend harmoniously with Obuse’s townscape and interiors featuring modern bedrooms make it a truly distinctive place to stay.
View Room List桝一ハウスMasuichi House
Suitable for extended stays, each of the Masuichi House rooms is located on the second floor above a shop—either Sanada‑tei Café or Naka Chestnut Confections—that makes its own chestnut confections. The guestrooms blend motifs by Hokusai with original design elements that were retained during renovation. The pricing structure is also unique, with significant discounts from the second night.
View Room List味わう Savor
Engage all Five Senses
After relaxing at Masuichi Kyakuden, step out into Obuse and discover the town’s seasonal delicacies and fine sake. Enjoy a rewarding dining experience at your own pace with the freedom and comfort of eating at home.
お知らせNews
アクセスAccess
815 Obuse, Obuse-machi, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano-ken 381-0201TEL 026-247-1111
FAX 026-247-6369
Note: If you arrive by car, please stop at the Masuichi Kyakuden entrance first.
After you unload your luggage, staff will direct you to your parking space.