Stay at a Renovated School in the Mountains: Katakuri-no-Yado, a Hidden Hot Spring in Akiyamago
Trip date: June 2022 (Wrapped in the fresh, rainy scent of the mountains...)
Tucked along the border of Niigata and Nagano prefectures lies Akiyamago—a remote village where time seems to move a little slower.
We stayed in the peaceful hamlet of Ketto, at a very special place called Katakuri-no-Yado.
This cozy hot spring inn was once a wooden school building—now lovingly renovated into a nostalgic retreat.
A warm wooden welcome. Wait, is this really an inn?
At the entrance, we’re greeted by two signs—one for “Katakuri-no-Yado,” and the other for “Ketto Branch of Akinari Elementary School.”
Yes, this place was once a real school. Now reborn as an inn, it feels like time stands still in the most heartwarming way.
Echoes of the past and playful vibes inside
Inside, you’ll find old photos, school supplies, desks, even a piano—all left just as they were.
It's the kind of place that makes you go, “Wow, I remember these wooden desks!”
Poems and handmade decorations on the walls add to the storybook atmosphere.
And the gym—wait, let’s call it a “play experience room”!
The floor is covered in a colorful board game-style path that sparks childhood joy.
With Jenga, hula hoops, and cheerful cutouts everywhere, it’s like a sleepover from your school days.
Local mountain cuisine made with love
Dinner featured delicacies like asparagus wrapped in ham, mountain vegetables, and bamboo shoot tempura.
Each dish was carefully prepared with love and local ingredients—beautiful and heartwarming from start to finish.
And of course... the hot spring bath
The bath is simple, with stone and tile—perfect for a quiet soak.
The water is slightly salty (a sodium-calcium chloride and sulfate spring), and comfortably warm at around 38–39°C.
You can soak in it for a long time without overheating—gentle, healing, and deeply relaxing.
Old schools can become such warm places
There's something so powerful about reusing old things with care.
Katakuri-no-Yado isn’t just a place you want to come back to—
It’s a place that makes you want to say, “I’m home.”
Katakuri-no-Yado – Ketto Onsen, Akiyamago
450-1 Ketto, Tsunan-machi, Niigata Prefecture
Includes meals. Booking via their official site is recommended.
Note: Road access may be limited in winter due to snow.