I Looked Into Nouka Yashiki Miyamoto-ke

This blog has been on a roll checking out not just campgrounds but also day-trip hot springs and lodging facilities, and this time I decided to look into an inn within Saitama Prefecture as well.

The idea of an inn renovated from an old farmhouse caught my attention, and as someone who's more of an indoor type, the phrase "time spent by the irori hearth" really drew me in, so I decided to look into Nouka Yashiki Miyamoto-ke.

The Short Version

The rooms make use of an old farmhouse dating back to the late Edo period, and the four private baths inside the building seem to be this inn's standout feature.
As for Rakuten Mobile signal, the official tool gave this location a rating of "C."

I've summarized the details below.

What Is This 200-Year-Old Farmhouse Inn Like?

This inn is located in Ogano, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture, and its full official name is apparently "200-Year-Old Farmhouse Inn Miyamoto-ke." It seems the inn went by a slightly different name at some point in the past, but the concept of building around a farmhouse from the late Edo period appears to remain unchanged.

Check-in generally runs from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and check-out is by 10:00 AM, though this may shift a bit depending on the stay plan. As for access, it apparently takes about 40 to 50 minutes from the Hanazono Interchange on the Kan-etsu Expressway via National Route 140, the Minano-Yorii Toll Road, and National Route 299. Since I don't drive, it was reassuring to learn there are options like a roughly 20-minute taxi ride from Seibu-Chichibu Station or Chichibu Station, or a shuttle bus from Seibu-Chichibu Station (reservation required in advance).

Private Baths and Rooms: Things That Catch an Indoor Type's Eye

One of the inn's defining features seems to be the four private baths located throughout the building. The sumo wrestler bath and garden bath in the main building use heated water, while the garden bath and the wood-fired cauldron bath (a Goemon-style bath) in the annex use natural hot spring water. It sounds like guests can use all of these freely and free of charge. The spring is apparently called "Hannya no Yu," an alkaline simple sulfur cold mineral spring with a fairly high pH of 9.4.

There are seven guest rooms in total, split between the main building and the annex. The main building has rooms that retain the atmosphere of a late Edo-period farmhouse, including ones called the "Cocoon Room" and the "Sumo Wrestler's Room," the former of which comes with a semi-open-air bath. The annex, on the other hand, was built in an old-farmhouse style by a master temple carpenter, and every room there apparently comes with its own private bath. As someone who prefers staying indoors, the idea of holing up in a room and enjoying a private bath sounded pretty appealing.

Wi-Fi: Apparently available in every room
Rough pricing: About 17,000 to 40,000-something yen per adult for one night with two meals (varies by room type and season)
Day-trip bathing: There's a reservation-only plan limited to three groups per day for using the private baths, priced at 3,300 yen for 50 minutes (up to 4 people)

Komorin

It was surprising to learn there are as many as four private baths. If I stayed in the annex where each room has its own private bath, I feel like I could spend the whole day without running into anyone.

Meals and Things to Do Nearby

Dinner is apparently served at a hearth-side dining area or a dining room with an irori, featuring vegetables grown on the inn's own farm and authentic chanko-nabe hot pot made according to a recipe passed down by the owner, a former sumo wrestler. Breakfast also seems to be served in a dedicated dining area.

Nearby attractions apparently include Chichibu Muse Park, the Yobake cliff where fossils can be seen along with the Ogano Fossil Museum, and temples along the Chichibu pilgrimage route. There are also roadside rest stops like Yakushi no Yu and Michi-no-Eki Chichibu, so it seems like there are plenty of spots to stop by before or after your stay if you're driving. Since I don't drive, I figure it's best to plan around the shuttle bus or taxi.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

When I checked this inn's location using the official My Area Connectivity Simulation tool, the overall rating came back as "C."

Given that this is a location tucked away in the mountains, it seems worth checking the signal situation ahead of time. If you're concerned about connectivity during your stay, it might be a good idea to check the same tool yourself for peace of mind.

Komorin

That C rating honestly caught my attention. But then again, at an old farmhouse inn like this, maybe it's actually nice to let go of signal worries and just settle in.

See Rakuten Mobile Details

Wrapping Up

Putting it all together, Nouka Yashiki Miyamoto-ke struck me as an inn that retains the feel of a late Edo-period farmhouse while offering a relaxed stay thanks to its four private baths throughout the building.

The fact that some rooms come with their own private bath or semi-open-air bath felt like a real plus for someone like me who prefers staying indoors. Since the Rakuten Mobile signal came back with a "C" rating, it's probably worth checking connectivity in advance if that matters to you. Reservations can apparently be made through the official website, various booking sites, or by phone.

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