One of the reasons people love Japan is the breathtaking scenery found across the whole country. From clear water beaches to bustling cities to snow covered mountains, there is somewhere for everyone to enjoy. What better way to relax and unwind than in Japan’s tranquil mountain towns!
Have you ever wanted to stay at a private villa surrounded by nature in the middle of the mountains in Japan? Well look no further, as today I would like to talk about one of the OMOTENASHI Selection’s gold award winners; Ebisuya Guest House.
Located in Minobu, a town in Yamanashi Prefecture, Ebisuya Guest House offers an authentic Japanese experience where guests can enjoy the beautiful mountainous scenery, explore a historical town, and try delicious local food. To be considered an OMOTENASHI Selection winner, a product or service must portray the spirit of Japanese hospitality. If you would like to learn more, please read our blog about the OMOTENASHI Selection 2022 1st session award winners.
Initially built for a wealthy merchant and his family in 1933, Ebisuya is a beautiful villa situated near Mount Minobu, also known as Minobusan. In 2021, this 90 year old house underwent renovations to incorporate modern amenities whilst preserving the traditional structure. After remaining unlived in for decades prior to the renovation, Ebisuya opened as a self-contained holiday villa, where guests can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of 1930s Japan while enjoying the luxuries of modern life.
Photo credit: OMOTENASHI Selection
Now, what exactly makes Ebisuya Guest House so unique? Well to start with, the entire villa is limited to one group per day and can accommodate up to 10 people. The house features 4 bedrooms, a fully furnished kitchen, and a bathroom, with aircons in the main rooms. These modern amenities allow this traditional house to be highly functional while enhancing the beauty of the original architecture, which portrays Yamanashi craftsmanship. To reflect the century of life the house has lived, there is an array of fascinating and rare artworks and elements within the villa.
To enter Ebisuya, you need to pass through a beautiful Japanese garden that surrounds the house. This traditional garden features seasonal flowers, a koi pond, and a furnished terrace which is the perfect place to sit and relax while enjoying a view of the river and mountains. Since the villa has a private car park the easiest way to travel to Ebisuya is by car, the journey being about two hour from Tokyo. Ebisuya is also easily accessible via bus and train, with a direct bus available from Shinjuku to Minobu.
Outside of Ebisuya, there is a wide variety of things to see and do in Minobu. The town itself is imbued with tradition and has a long and rich history. Mt. Minobu is home to the main temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism; Kuonji Temple, which was founded over 700 year ago. The Minobusan Ropeway offers stunning views of the town and surrounding nature on the way to Mt. Minobu’s 1,153 metre tall summit. The ropeway only takes 7 minutes, but if you enjoy hiking there is a 2.5 hour trail through the mountain. If you’re lucky, you should be able to see Mt. Fuji from the top of Mt. Minobu.
Photo credit: OMOTENASHI Selection
Saving the best for last, we cannot forget Minobu’s delicious local cuisine. Ebisuya offers optional breakfast and dinner made with fresh local ingredients. With the villa’s fully equipped kitchen you’re also able to make your own homemade meals. Adjacent to Ebisuya is Café Zencho, where you can try a range of fresh healthy dishes made with local ingredients. This cafe is renowned for their dishes made with hoto noodles, which are a Yamanashi speciality. Only a 10 minute walk from the villa is Kakurinbo, a Buddhist temple guest house. Kakurinbo serves stunning kaiseki meals featuring an essential part of a vegetarian Buddhist diet; yuba tofu, akebono soybeans which are unique to Minobu, and other seasonal ingredients.
So if you’re looking for a unique and memorable experience where you can enjoy peaceful mountain scenery, make sure to stay at Ebisuya Guest House next time you’re in the area!
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