Satoji

There isn't anywhere nearby to buy food, so pick some up on the way if you're staying without meals. The room had a great view, and the hospitality was excellent. I rode about 145 km along the Arakawa River from Kasai Rinkai Park to get here. It's a good one-day cycling route, or you could stay the night and continue to Hannō the next day.

The inn's food was a real highlight. They serve generous portions made with local ingredients, and the deer, wild boar, and bear were all tasty with hardly any odor. The extra bear meat we were given was surprisingly easy to eat. The landlady was friendly, which helped make the stay enjoyable, and I'd stay here again if I get the chance. We were here with a company club and could arrange to use the gym in Otaki. It's about a 20-minute drive away, and the inn's bus took us there and back. Our rooms were in a building separate from reception: one 9-tatami room and three 6-tatami rooms. The air conditioning took 100 yen per hour. There wasn't a refrigerator, but the inn lent us a cooler box. Yukata, towels, bath towels, and toothbrush sets were provided. The baths are in another building and separated by gender. The men's side has several showers and was easy to use. The building we stayed in was a little old, but we didn't run into any problems.

The sky at night was full of beautiful stars, and in the morning we could see the quiet Chichibu mountain range, with plum blossoms blooming nearby. It was a lovely setting. My wife and I stayed at this guesthouse in Okuchichibu, within walking distance of Mitsumineguchi, the last stop on the Chichibu Railway. The area feels very rural, and it's cooler than Chichibu city. The meals were the thing I kept thinking about. Dinner came out as each dish was ready: grilled Spanish mackerel with Saikyo miso, roasted venison, beef tendon and daikon stew, wild boar hot pot, stir-fried local shakushina greens, butterbur tempura, and braised bracken. It was all freshly made with local ingredients and really tasted like Chichibu cuisine. Their homemade miso konnyaku had a different texture and a subtle, lovely flavor. Breakfast was great too, especially the miso soup packed with taro, carrots, konnyaku, and daikon, along with the kinpira gobo and pickled plums. We were in Okuchichibu, so getting to enjoy this local food made the stay feel complete.

The setting around the inn was lovely, and dinner was plentiful, with lots of different dishes. The staff were friendly too. But the room felt old, and the futon laid straight on the tatami was especially thin and worn. It felt like I was sleeping on the hard floor, and I woke up sore and tired. The toilet and sink are shared outside the room, so there's quite a bit of noise. The bath and dining area are in a separate building outside. Heating and air conditioning cost extra, while the TV, hair dryer, and bath towels are free. Breakfast was a letdown because the side dishes were cold. If you need a relaxing room that doesn't feel old, this may not be the place for you.