NIPPONIA Chichibu Monzenmachi

This was my first stay at NIPPONIA Chichibu Monzenmachi, and I stayed in Room 102 of the MARUJU building.Room 102 is a maisonette-style guest room created by converting an entire kura storehouse, so I had been genuinely looking forward to it even before arriving.When I arrived, the staff welcomed me with warm smiles and excellent service, and check-in was accompanied by explanations about the property’s history and unique features.I was then shown to Room 102. The door wasn’t new—it was the original one from when it was a storehouse—so I felt excited even before stepping inside.As soon as I opened the door with high expectations, I found myself in a truly unique, extraordinary space. With its open atrium design, the first floor is a living area; climbing the original ladder from its storehouse days leads to the second-floor bedroom. It’s such a spacious room that it feels like it could be two separate rooms across two levels. The nostalgic atmosphere comes from how beautifully it blends preserved beams and walls from the past with modern comfort.The hinoki cypress bath I had been looking forward to was larger and deeper than expected. Even before filling it, the pleasant scent of hinoki filled the bathroom; once hot water was added, the aroma became even richer, making it wonderfully relaxing even without hot-spring water.Dinner—something I had eagerly awaited—was truly delicious from appetizers to main course to dessert. You could also feel great attention paid not only to plating but also to every piece of tableware used. The course featured plenty of locally sourced ingredients; while it goes without saying that both venison and river fish were excellent, I was especially impressed by how thoughtfully they brought out the flavors of local vegetables and by how outstanding each sauce tasted. It’s hard to describe well from appetizer through main course, but every dish looked unlike what you’d expect—and each bite delivered a delightful surprise.Breakfast offered a complete change of pace: traditional Japanese cuisine. The assortment of small side dishes let me enjoy many different flavors, and the classic miso soup was exceptional.As an old folk-house hotel, it has an abundance of nostalgic charm while still being impeccably clean. With wonderful food and genuinely hospitable staff, this became a Chichibu trip that left me completely satisfied.

This was my second stay. Last time, I stayed in the designated cultural property Room above Koike Tobacco Shop; this time, I stayed in the kura-style Room (No. 103). The high ceilings, spacious layout, and large hinoki bath were wonderful—the fragrance was amazing—and the interior design was superb. With no TV or clock, it truly felt like being in another world, which was fantastic. The bed was extremely comfortable and I slept soundly. Breakfast was delicious—absolutely delicious—and all the staff were very courteous and attentive.Thank you very much.The dreamlike time passed in the blink of an eye.Next time as well, I would love to stay in a kura-style Room—preferably No. 102.Please keep NIPPONIA just as it is, and I look forward to visiting again.P.S. I bought Takayamaen’s tea right away. The barley tea with grapes is delicious, and I also purchased many other kinds of tea. I even became friendly with the shop owner lol.It was a fun trip with lots of new discoveries.Thank you for the Diamond Member gift! It made me so happy—it felt wonderfully substantial too.