Kounkaku, a long-established ryokan in Akakura Onsen Revived for the first time in 12 years as an inn for rent in a single building! (Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture)

2024.9.23

Myoko CityLodgingNiigata PrefectureAkakura Onsen

Ideal for long-term stays! A small inn where you can enjoy hot spring water from the source without hesitation

The long-established ryokan “Kaunkaku” in Akakura hot spring resort in Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture, which had been dormant for a long time, has been revived as a one-room inn for rent, limited to one couple per day. It reopened this April for the first time in 12 years.

Kaunkaku is located at the end of Akakura Onsen Street and turn left. Currently there are no signs along the road yet. The fourth-generation proprietress, Keiko Hayashi, 48, and her mother, Masako, 75, have revived the long-established ryokan and are now running the business.

The new Kounkaku also reuses the signage that was previously used.

Kounkaku was a ryokan built in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868) on the site where the Sakakibara clan, the feudal lord of Takata, used to have their main camp when they hunted hawks. There used to be three buildings on the property, including an accommodation building and a bath building, complete with 40 rooms. The second generation, Mr. Yasue, was the talk of the town for his innovative ideas, such as extending and remodeling the building and creating an observatory bath with a great view on the top floor of the building, which was appreciated by many customers.

However, in 2010, Keiko’s father Katsuhiro, the third generation, and her grandfather Yasue, the second generation, died in succession, and the following year the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. We took over the management and continued the business for a while, but closed in March 2012 due to difficulties in operation.

Most of the building was demolished, leaving only the bath building where one of the large baths, “Korin-no-yu,” was located. However, Keiko had seen her grandfather and father struggling to run the ryokan since she was a child, and she was determined to reopen it again someday.

Due to the Corona disaster and other factors, it was not easy to reopen, but preparations began around 2022, and the remaining bath building was renovated and reopened this April for the first time in 12 years.

The new Kounkaku is a one-building hot spring ryokan that can accommodate only one guest per day.

The building is about 90 square meters in area, of which 26 square meters is a large bathhouse with hot-spring water.

Since the building is a reuse of the former bath building of the former Kounkaku, the bathtubs are cleaned and used as they were at that time.

By opening the window, you can enjoy it like a semi-open-air bath with a sense of openness, and you can also take a rest or relax on the large terrace. Since the entire building is reserved for private use, you can fully enjoy the hot spring water of Akakura Onsen without worrying about the eyes of other people or feeling self-conscious.

The bath and bathing towels are from the former Kounkaku, and their retro design is also attractive.

In contrast to the pure Japanese-style exterior, the interior has a relaxed atmosphere with a combination of Japanese and Western elements.

It can accommodate up to four people and is equipped with two beds and a futon.

The rooms are equipped with a full kitchen and a large refrigerator/freezer. It is equipped with a three-burner induction cooktop for serious cooking.

A large washer/dryer for general household use is also provided, making it a comfortable and well-equipped place for long-term stays.

The basic plan is to stay overnight without meals, but upon request, they also offer plans to have meals prepared at a nearby ryokan or a dinner plan prepared by a kappo (Japanese cooking) chef.

For inquiries, reservations, and detailed rates, please check the Kounkaku website.

Keiko Hayashi, 4th generation proprietress of Kounkaku
We hope to continue this project for many years to come by helping everyone around us through discussions with local residents, nearby inns, lodging facilities, and restaurants. We look forward to serving you.

Facility Information

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Kounkaku
■Address: 481 Akakura, Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture
■Phone:TEL0255-87-2641
■check-in15:00～,Checkout10:00
*Only one house rental per day for a maximum of 4 people.
*Meal plan and day trip plan are negotiable.
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