GBP
Urara Tsutaya Ryokan
PRICE: Worth maxing out for
Urara Tsutaya Ryokan in Kiso-Fukushima is a place where tradition and nature merge. Located in the heart of the Kiso Valley, a region steeped in history and natural beauty, this ryokan offers a serene escape from the modern world.
The town of Kiso-Fukushima, once a bustling post town on the Nakasendo Trail, has retained much of its old-world charm, and Urara Tsutaya is a reflection of that timeless quality. Surrounded by forested mountains and flowing rivers, Urara Tsutaya allows guests to feel immersed in nature while also providing modern and luxurious amenities.
The ryokan’s architecture is a masterpiece of Japanese design, balancing simplicity with warmth. The building itself, with its traditional wooden beams, sliding shoji screens, and tatami mat floors, evokes the essence of an older Japan. The warm, natural wood tones, the soft lighting that filters through rice paper screens, and the gentle flow of the nearby river, which can be heard throughout the ryokan, create a calming and tranquil atmosphere. This harmonious design extends to the guest rooms, which are spacious and elegant, each offering stunning views of the valley or the surrounding mountains.
Urara Tsutaya is a place where the concept of hospitality is treated with the utmost care. Guests are greeted with attentive service that feels both personal and unobtrusive. The ryokan offers a traditional Japanese inn experience, with the rooms outfitted in the classic style: futons laid out on tatami mats, low wooden tables, and sliding doors that open to private balconies or garden views. The subtlety of the design allows the natural beauty of Kiso-Fukushima to take center stage, with its changing seasons providing a dynamic backdrop to the ryokan’s peaceful interiors.
The dining at Urara Tsutaya focuses on seasonal ingredients from the surrounding region. Each meal, carefully prepared and beautifully presented, is a celebration of Kiso’s rich culinary traditions. The multi-course kaiseki dinners, served in the ryokan’s dining area, are a reflection of both the artistry and simplicity of Japanese cuisine, with each dish designed to highlight the fresh, local ingredients in their purest form. The focus on seasonality ensures that every meal is an experience in itself, as the flavors change throughout the year to reflect what is available from the land and sea.
For guests seeking an even deeper connection to the region, the ryokan offers access to the surrounding natural beauty of the Kiso Valley. The area is abundant in hiking trails, ancient cedar forests, and old merchant towns, offering a glimpse into the history of the Nakasendo Trail, one of Japan’s most famous old routes. After a day of exploring, returning to the tranquility of Urara Tsutaya is the perfect way to unwind, with its onsen baths offering the ultimate in relaxation—hot, mineral-rich waters that soothe both body and soul.
With its impeccable design, reverence for tradition, and deep connection to the natural world, it offers an experience that is as much about personal rejuvenation as it is about immersion in the quiet beauty of Kiso-Fukushima.
Urara Tsutaya Ryokan: The Gallery
