8 Retro-Style Inns with a Hearth for Experiencing a Good Old-Fashioned Japanese Winter

When you hear the word “Irori”, you might imagine a picture from an old tale. Also, there may be some people who can't immediately think of what it is.

An irori is an old-fashioned heating system that cuts out squares from the floor of a room so that a fire can be built there. Nowadays, it can only be seen in old private houses. It can be used in a variety of ways, not just as a heater.

For example, you can put a pot on it and cook it, or grill fish and so on. The nostalgic hearth warms not only your body but also your heart. Why not spend a nostalgic time at an inn with an irori hearth this winter?

Now, let's introduce a selection of inns from all over Japan that have an "Irori" inside the building!

Irori no Yado Ashina is located in Higashiyama onsen in Aizuwakamatsu Fukushima. , is a popular inn with a retro Showa era atmosphere. Although the number of rooms is small at only 7, you can experience the heartfelt hospitality that can only be expected from a small inn.

The specialty of Irori no Yado Ashina is definitely the Irori Kaiseki, which is eaten around an Irori. A luxurious kaiseki meal that uses plenty of ingredients from the mountainous region of Aizu, such as horse sashimi and river fish. You can eat breakfast around the sunken hearth.

onsen is flowing directly from the source. Let's warm up to the core of the body with a little hot water! From the check-in time of 15:00 to the time of dinner, it is possible to charter separately for men and women! Please do try that out.

``Kayabuki no Sato Yakushi Onsen onsen onsen Gunma. This inn is like a theme park, with buildings with thatched roofs lined up on a large site of 2,000 square meters. In addition to the accommodation building, the grounds also include an exhibition building of old folk tools and a full range of shops.

"Authentic Kaiseki" that you can enjoy around the "Irori" hearth. You can enjoy seasonal ingredients. The content of the dishes changes depending on the season. If you order additional, you can taste Joshu beef and beef tongue, so please don't miss it♡

onsen is flowing directly from the source. From the open-air bath Takimi no Yu, you can see the Nurukawa Falls that change with the seasons.

"Farmer's House Miyamoto Family" located in Chichibu Saitama. This is an impressive inn with a building that retains the vestiges of the end of the Edo period.

This inn is a renovated farm house. The rooms are divided into the main house and the villa, and the "Kuwa-no-ma" in the main house makes you feel nostalgic like when you went to your grandma's house in the countryside. There are indoor baths, garden baths, and private baths.

Ingredients from our own farm, eaten around the hearth. Among them, "Chanko Nabe" made by the head of a former sumo wrestler is a gem that you should try at least once.

"Ichirino Kogen Hotel Roan" is located in Hakusan onsen, about an hour's drive from Kanazawa. This is an inn where you can spend a relaxing time surrounded by rich nature.

At “Mingei Charcoal Grill Yasuke Don” and “Sanso Charcoal Grill Suginoko”, you can enjoy meal around the hearth. You can enjoy the seasonal flavors of game meat and wild vegetables. “Sanso Charcoal-grilled Suginoko” is popular with families because you can enjoy the hearth from the chairs!

The hot water in the bath is flowing directly from the source. In the open-air bath surrounded by trees, you can enjoy not only onsen but also forest bathing.

Daitoen, the mansion of powerful families, is located in onsen Nagano. About 30 minutes by fairy tale bus from JR Chino Station, you can stay in an old folk house built about 150 years ago.

For meal, you can enjoy a menu that uses plenty of local ingredients, such as char sashimi and wild boar hot pot, at the edge of the sunken hearth. When fresh char is grilled, its flavor is condensed.

The folk art style room is characteristic. Each room is unique and you will enjoy staying there again and again. You can feel the rich nature of Tateshina onsen throughout the year, so you can enjoy it whenever you go.

``Japanese Inn Hida Takayama Wanosato'' is located in Hida Takayama, Gifu. This inn consists of 8 unique rooms. 20 minutes by car from JR Takayama Station. There's a shuttle car out.

meal menu uses local ingredients such as Hida beef and river fish! The freshwater fish slowly grilled over the hearth is a gem with a deep flavor. After meal, you can sit around the hearth and listen to local folktales.

You can enjoy a rock bath, a cypress bath, and an indoor bath. onsen of "Wanosato" onsen officially licensed as "Hida Kurayama Onsen onsen and registered as a trademark. Please enjoy the soft hot water.

The "Irori" has warmth that is different from air conditioners and stoves. Why not visit an inn where you can surround yourself with an irori hearth this winter? Relax and unwind in a nostalgic atmosphere.