Ryunohara Hatago

Stay at Ryunohara Hatago, a 120-year-old farmhouse blending tradition with comfort in Japan’s spiritual heartlands. In the Edo period, Hatagos were small inns where weary travellers could recuperate. Today we’ve revived the tradition with a seamless mix of heritage and modern amenities. Whether stargazing, wading in the crystal-clear waters of the Hidakagawa river, or simply enjoying the company of rare chickens, this is a sanctuary for those seeking renewal and a deeper connection to nature. The space The Hatago was originally built as a traditional home over 120 years ago, and it still retains its original room layout. Staying here, you’ll get a glimpse of what life was like in old Japan—while enjoying modern comforts. ◆ Tradition Meets Comfort Bedrooms: Rest well in comfy beds equipped with mattress heaters in the cold months, and a cotton gauze blanket in the warmer months. Each bed has a fluffy pillow and a firmer bead pillow so you can sleep the way you want. You will find two power plugs beside each bed for charging needs. The bedrooms have air-conditioning with cooling and heating functions, and mosquito nets on the windows if you prefer to sleep with the windows open to let the fresh mountain air in. All 3 bedrooms have double-insulated windows for cooler summers and warmer winters. Kitchen: Stocked for longer stays, with a large 460-litre fridge, Cuisinart toaster with air-fryer function, microwave, a 2-hob induction heater stovetop, rice cooker for 3 cups of rice, Nespresso coffee machine with complimentary pods provided and a temperature-controllable electric kettle with a gooseneck spout. You’ll find sake cups and decanters, an electric sake warmer for hot sake in the winter, and a traditional Japanese teapot and teacups in the cupboards. One dog bowl is available for dogs or cats. There’s also a Harmon Kardon Aura Studio 4 Bluetooth Speaker to jam while you cook. The pantry is stocked with cooking oil, olive oil, Kosher salt, black pepper, white pepper, sugar, mirin, cooking sake, rice vinegar, and other Japanese spices. We grow our own pesticide & herbicide-free rice and have them for sale in the fridge. Indoors bathroom: The inside bathroom has heating in the changing room as well as the bath, super soft and absorbent Senshu face towels and body towels, a hairdryer, cotton buds, makeup remover, moisturiser, combs, hairbrushes, and sanitary products. The bathroom comes with eco-friendly, scentless shampoo, conditioner, face wash and body soap, formulated for sensitive skin. Washing machine & vanity: There is also a washer-dryer with eco-friendly detergent provided and a vanity sink with toothbrushes and toothpaste. Iron and ironing board provided. Study table: The table has an external monitor with HDMI connection, a study lamp, and a power-surge protected extension power cord for 8 devices and 4 USB outlets. Internet: We are connected to the internet by cable with fast wifi adequate for multiple devices to stream video at the same time. Library: You will find books about Japanese flora and fauna, cuisine, art, architecture, history, and design. The entire house was built with local wood, and the cedar floors have been waxed with natural child- and pet-friendly oils. ◆ Private Outdoor Onsen Bath Our outdoor onsen baths are filled with the silky-smooth, transparent, and odourless waters of Ryujin Onsen, a hot spring famed for over 1,200 years. Two guests at a time can soak in the two traditional iron Goemonburo cauldrons, heated directly by wood fire—a rare experience even in Japan. The radiant heat from below keeps you warm far longer than modern baths. A cold-water cedar-wood tub (tap-water temperature) is also available for contrast bathing. We’ll teach you how to set up and control the fire for the cauldrons so that you can soak at the temperate you want. We use fallen cedar leaves as a fire starter and wood scraps from the carpenter and fallen trees and branches as fuel. Since the outdoor bath is roofless, you’ll shower then soak under a sky full of stars, surrounded by the sounds of nature. Traditional yukata bathrobes are provided (Medium and Large sizes only, no kids size provided). ◆ Paddleboarding & Swimming From May to October (weather permitting), guests can paddleboard or swim in the clear waters of the Hidakagawa River, just in front of Ryunohara. There are two access points, a 1-minute walk away and a 4-minute walk away. We have a picnic mat and two paddleboards available for loan. ◆ Getting Here: A Car is Highly Recommended While it’s possible to reach us by bus (3 buses a day), having a car will make your stay much easier. We do not offer meals to Airbnb guests. The closest lunch restaurant is a 7-minute drive (5.8km), and the closest dinner restaurant & 24-hour Lawsons convenience store are a 12-minute drive (10km) away. From mid-December to mid-March, please ensure your car has snow tyres on. If you are heading up to Mt Koya or Mt Gomadanzan via the Koya-Ryujin Skyline to enjoy the snow you are required to carry snow chains on the car. ◆ Our Sister Guesthouse If Ryunohara Hatago is booked out on dates you are searching for, consider staying at Doratei, our second guesthouse a 10-minute walk away: airbnb.com/h/doratei. What’s the difference: Ryunohara Hatago is a lovingly restored 120-year-old farmhouse with an en-suite outdoor onsen — a rarity even in Japan — where you can soak under the stars and be surrounded by traditional architecture. Doratei, on the other hand, is a modern residence offering bright, open interiors and contemporary comforts. Both houses are the same size. Choose Ryunohara Hatago for rustic charm and a bath like no other, or Doratei for a spacious, comfortable base to explore the region at your own pace. ◆ Ryunohara Retreats For a fully immersive 5D4N or 4D3N experience where you can learn more about our sustainable farming practices, ecological architecture, and traditional local crafts, consider booking Ryunohara Retreats. The Retreat is all-inclusive. It includes transfers to and from Kii-Tanabe Station (1 hour each way), all meals including homecooked dinners and breakfasts at our main farmhouse, fully-guided walks, traditional local craft workshops, visits to neighbours’ homes, and a private stay at the Hatago. Learn more by searching “Ryunohara Retreats”. Guest access The entire house is yours! Other things to note In summer (June–September), being near a river and surrounded by forest means we get biting insects like horseflies and gnats. We provide mosquito coils, bug spray, and window screens throughout the house, but bites are still possible when outdoors, especially by the river. In winter (December-February), nighttime temperatures can drop to -6°C (21°F). All bedrooms, the entrance foyer, and the kitchen have air-conditioning with heating functions and all beds have mattress heaters. The bathroom and changing rooms have electric heating. The kitchen and the bedrooms have insulated windows (some windows are triple-insulated). However, the toilet and laundry area remain unheated, so thick socks are recommended if your feet get cold easily. We have several roosters who will crow at the crack of dawn so if you’re sensitive to noise, earplugs are provided on the study table. The city has a emergency warning system that is tested with daily chimes at 6am, 10am, noon, 3pm and 5pm. Young children should be supervised when interacting with our chickens, ducks, or goats. Guests traveling with dogs or cats agree not to allow them on the wooden floors in the bedroom areas (some guests have allergies to pet fur so we do not want fur anywhere nearby the beds). To ensure the safety of our free-roaming farm animals like our goats, companion animals must be leashed at all times outside the Hatago. Registration details Hotels and Inns Business Act | 田辺保健所 | 和歌山県指令田保衛第5-9号