Guesthouse Kaname

I stayed here to take photos after getting tired of sleeping in my car for a long time, and to avoid the excessive roadside parking during cherry blossom season. It's a youth hostel-style guesthouse where the owner and travelers cook together, so guests tend to get quite close. The food was pretty good, and sleeping in a warm futon was nice. I went to a hot spring instead, so I didn't use the bath. There's a cat called Hijiki with a face like Zoro from The Movie. Lake Nakatsuna is just a five-minute walk away, and you can come and go freely at night.

The people running this old-style guesthouse are so kind, and the cats keep you company if you're traveling alone. Guests can eat there, though you need to help prepare the food. They even arranged things we asked for, like watermelon smashing and fireworks, which made for a really fun stay.

Guests and staff cook and eat together in this renovated old house, though you can also have a quiet stay. It's very close to Lake Nakatsuna in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, even though it's not right on the shore. The view of Mt. Koguma from behind the guesthouse is fantastic.

I loved how close everyone was, and by the time I arrived I already knew I wanted to become a regular. The lakes around the guesthouse made the whole area feel so peaceful, and being near the station is a real plus. Driving from the Niigata direction meant dealing with lots of curves, which was tough, but the experience here made me forget that effort. It was truly wonderful.