Opening in spring 2025! Guesthouse " Honjin Sato Residence " on Gaisen Sakura Street in Shinjo Village

Okayama Prefecture Official Tourism Site

*Edo period: A peaceful and culturally rich period that lasted 264 years when the Tokugawa clan ruled Japan. The samurai class played a central role in society, and it was a time when unique culture and traditions flourished.

In spring, a beautiful tunnel of cherry blossoms appears Gaisen Sakura Street (a cherry blossom-lined road) in Shinjo Village . This inn, located almost in the Chuo of the street, is located in a place where samurai from the Matsue domain once stayed while on their alternate attendance trips.

* Sankin-kotai: A system in which feudal lords in the Edo period would regularly travel between Edo (present-day Tokyo) and their own territories. This was a custom that characterized the lives of samurai and the political system.

Gaisen Cherry Trees

717-0201 Shinjo Murakami-cho, Maniwa-gun, Okayama Prefecture

Gaisen-zakura, a row of cherry blossom trees in a post town that is rare even in Japan, was planted in 1901 with 137 cherry blossoms to commemorate victory in the Russo-Japanese War. Currently, there are 133 Somei Yoshino trees, and the wonderful tunnel of cherry blossom trees that bloom every 5.5 meters is a typical spring scene in Shinjo Village. There are gently flowing waterways on both sides of the street, and its gentle sound has been selected as one of Japan's ``Top 100 Soundscapes'' and ``Japan's Top 100 Scentscapes.'' Cherry blossom season: Mid-April to late April

Roadside Station Gaisen Sakura Shinjosyuku

717-0201 2190-1 Shinjo Village, Maniwa District, Okayama Prefecture

This is a roadside station near Shinjo-juku on the Izumo Highway. We sell processed and specialty products such as fresh vegetables from Shinjo Village, ``Hime no Mochi'' and related products (daifuku, noodles, rice crackers, craft beer, etc.), monkey pears, etc. At the attached restaurant, you can enjoy ramen and udon noodles made with Himeno mochi noodles, pasta, zoni, and seasonal curry with a perfect combination of ingredients and spices.

At the entrance, seasonal flowers lovingly arranged by locals are displayed. This casual hospitality creates a warm atmosphere, making you feel as if you have been invited into a local home.

As you step into the doma*, you'll be greeted by a cool, comfortable atmosphere. This is the reception space where you check in. The counter, made from reused original furniture, is appealingly simple and unadorned.

*Doma: The dirt floor of a traditional Japanese house. It was a multi-purpose space where people took off their shoes and did work or housework.

The interior of the inn is centered around the shared spaces, and they are considering hosting workshops and other events in the future. Once you go up past the original front entrance, you will find a traditional Japanese space. It is built in the Shoin-zukuri style* with rows of tatami rooms, and traditional designs that give you a sense of history are found throughout, such as staggered shelves, a top closet, and a flat Shoin floor.

*Shoin-zukuri: one of Japan's traditional residential styles. A formal architectural style often seen in the mansions of samurai and wealthy merchants. Characteristic features include a tokonoma alcove, staggered shelves, shoji screens, and sliding doors.

The Sato residence once housed many paintings and calligraphy. The folding screens and sliding doors decorated with calligraphy and landscape paintings are artistic decorations that strongly evoke a Japanese atmosphere.

The tatami room facing the courtyard is used as a bedroom, and clean futons are laid out for you as soon as you arrive. The bedding is very clean and will ensure a comfortable sleep.

An old iron is placed in the tokonoma alcove* and has been transformed into a piece of interior decor that tells the history of the house.

*Tokonoma: A space in a traditional Japanese room used to display artwork, flower arrangements, calligraphy, etc. It has been considered an important place for entertaining guests and indicating the formality of the room.

Even strainers and baskets are creatively used to store amenities, and the ingenuity used to cherish old things and breathe new life into them can be seen everywhere.

The sake jars, which are reminiscent of the Sato family's former liquor store, are also part of the interior decor that adds color to the space.

The bathroom is tiled with a retro feel. Because this building was actually inhabited until about 10 years ago, basic facilities such as a water supply are comfortably provided.

Honjin Sato Residence offers unique lodging plans rooted in the village's history and daily life. Guests can harvest vegetables in the village's fields and cook them using the recipes provided, or choose the option to dine at a local restaurant. Various seasonal plans and events are also planned to convey the charm of Shinjo Village to visitors.

*Honjin: an official lodging facility in the Edo period where feudal lords and officials stayed when traveling to Edo for alternate attendance. This inn occupies a building that retains the remains of a historical honjin.

The inn is managed by Okitsu Miyu. She previously served as the first proprietress* of the Shinjo Sugai Residence, also located on Gaisen Sakura Street , and became independent in the spring of 2023. Using her four years of experience as a proprietress, she is taking on the challenge of running a guesthouse that draws out the potential of the historic building. "I want to make this a place where I can convey to visitors the charm of Shinjo Village that I felt while actually living there, and the things that the villagers cherish," she passionately shared her thoughts.

*Okami: A female manager in charge of an inn or guesthouse. She is responsible for welcoming guests and running the facilities.

[Guesthouse Honjin Sato Residence]

Location: 1166 Shinjo Village , Maniwa District, Okayama Prefecture ( Gaisen Sakura Street)

Check-in: 15:00, Check-out: 10:00 (negotiable)

Price: From 5,500 yen per person per Tomari(from 4,400 yen for consecutive Tomari)

Parking: 2 spaces

Inquiries: LINE official account