About Tateshina-Ai

Classy and high quality

Guest rooms

Room rates at Tateshina Ai start in the mid-20,000 yen range for a 2 people stay. Rooms with an open-air bath start in the 30,000 yen range. So-called "high-class ryokan", guests enjoy their stay at this ryokan with an understanding of its decor, atmosphere, and furnishings. It seems that the inn is supported by those who understand this inn, which at first sight looks like nothing at all, has actually been created through various efforts and passions. In this sense, the inn is blessed with guests, or rather, it seems that guests are raising the inn.

All 17 guest rooms in the inn can be grouped into two types: the standard type and the type with an open-air bath. The standard type is classified into 5 grades, and the type with an open-air bath is classified into 4 grades. The rooms with open-air baths are all located on the 1st floor, and are popular because they offer a view of the seasonal garden while soaking in the bath. Rooms with a bedroom and dining room are also available for a more comfortable stay. The NA type “Hatsuzuki” is the largest guest room in the hotel, with a layout that includes a step-in area, a 12.5 tatami mats Japanese-style room, a 6 tatami mats Japanese-style room, a 4 tatami mats sunken kotatsu space, and a wooden terrace. It also has a granite open-air bath, indoor bath, and toilet. The open-air bath is large enough for two adults to enjoy a relaxing soak in the bath, which is the most luxurious experience one can have. The standard guest rooms are also spacious, from the entrance to the main room, and do not feel small at all. Especially, the guest rooms in the new building have a sunken kotatsu on the window side, which is very convenient for guests.

If you are a family or a small group, you can choose the standard type, and if you are a couple, you can choose the type with an open-air bath...etc. One of the features of this inn is that it is often used for anniversaries.

All guest rooms are classy and have a sense of quality and good taste. This high level of specifications is probably the main driving force behind the inn's popularity.

Genuine quality

Cuisine

When Tateshina Ai was first established, the cuisine was prepared by Yukiko Niwa, the mother of the current president. The concept she created was "home-style kaiseki cuisine". The elegant and graceful menu that has attracted many repeat customers has been passed down to the current head chef, along with the flavors of the dishes. The name "Yamami Cuisine" comes from the abundant use of seasonal mountain produce. The cuisine is not only delicious, but also beautifully arranged. The fact that the dishes are pleasing to the eye makes one feel as if he or she is benefiting from the experience. However, the inn's culinary technique, which is not only technical, but also does not lose any sense of homeliness, gradually enhanced the reputation of the inn's cuisine.

In March 2008, the main building was renovated to create a guest room (D-type) with a dining room so that guests can enjoy their meals in a more relaxed atmosphere. Also, the guest rooms in the main building basically offer dinner in the room. Other guest rooms are located far from the kitchen, so dinner is served in the "Yamami-an" private dining room.

The cuisine is focused on wild vegetables, vegetables, and fish, and is probably more suitable for middle-aged and older people or for those who are health-conscious. The inn offers genuine cuisine that is supported by guests who have eaten delicious food up to now.

Ease of "vacation home" and relaxation of "hot-spring inn"

Concept

Tateshina Ai is called a "miracle inn" by industry insiders. This is because it is very difficult to attract guests during all seasons in Tateshina, a place where only summer is popular. The inn does not promote itself as a "hot spring" inn, as is often the case with hot spring inns. Hot springs are important, but if you want to cure your neuralgia by staying in a hot spring for a month, you cannot expect to get any benefit from one or two nights of bathing in a hot spring, no matter how famous it may be. The inn thought, "What is the most important thing other than hot springs to satisfy our guests in such a short period of time?". By focusing on this, Tateshina Ai has become such a successful ryokan in the hot spring kingdom of Shinshu.

The secret is that the inn is located in a vacation home area. In fact, many of the regular guests of Tateshina Ai are owners of those villas. Some may wonder why would they come to this inn when they have their own villa? Unlike their homes, vacation homes are not always in use. When they arrive, they immediately open the windows, change the air, and start cleaning the house as part of their routine. The first day, they couldn't sleep because of the musty smell → There is a "Tateshina Ai" nearby that serves delicious meals → They made a reservation... This is how it spread by word-of-mouth among the vacation home owners.

And the owners of the vacation home gave up their villa because they use this inn every time they visit Tateshina. Such episodes are the reason this inn provides such a comfortable space.

That is exactly the concept of this inn. The idea is to have guests use the inn as their own vacation home. This may be a new way of thinking about travel that is different from the hot spring area inns. Thinking of the inn as one's own vacation home...this is the reason for the success of Tateshina Ai.

Tateshina Ai is a rare inn that combines the casualness of a "villa" with the relaxation of a "hot spring inn". Moreover, the "Indigo dyeing workshop", a facility that every hobbyist should experience at least once, is also located at the inn, making it shine even more brightly.