Yamaura Stay, your Rural Retreat in the Japanese Mountains

Perched in the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains at over 1,000m of elevation is the Yamaura, a lovely rural area that looks out of an old Japanese tale. Here, you can still find century-old farmhouses and nostalgic pastoral sceneries untouched by urbanization.
In the past, villages like this must have been quite a common sight in Nagano Prefecture, but today you could hardly find any even if you were to look all over Japan. Alex Kerr, a famous Japanologist and east Asia researcher who is most renowned for his work in Iya Valley, praised the Yamaura calling it a “hidden” treasure that miraculously withstood modernization.

Kiyomizu -the farmhouse in the old-tale village

Kiyomizu is said to have been built in the early 1800s. Nobody knows the exact year of construction, but we know it was brought here from Saku which is on the other side of the Yatsugatake Mountains at the end of the Edo period. It was the main house, the one inherited by the first son, and its central role in the family life is reflected in its size and the thickness of its columns and beams.

In the past, the house had its own water spring and thus was nicknamed by the villagers “Kiyomizu-no-ne” (house of pure water). The spring is not there anymore, but in the Japanese garden in front of the wooden porch, there is still a small pond. Interestingly enough, every house in the village has such a garden and all the ponds are connected in an intricate network.
In the Yamaura, locals considered their horses part of the family. To protect them from the glacial winters, they let them live inside the house in a wide space called uma-ya which occupied almost half of the building. In Kiyomizu, this vast room, characterized by high ceilings, crossed beams, and rustic earthen walls, has been turned into a sleek dining room, where you can spend time with your family and friends.

While the spacious dining room is perhaps the most distinctive part of the house, the other rooms are just as stunning. The tatami rooms on the eastern side are especially worth a mention. Until not so long ago, weddings and funerals in the Yamaura were held at home. To fit the numerous guests, the hosts would remove the fusuma sliding doors thus connecting the rooms. The Japanese-style rooms at Kiyomizu even now retain the look they had at the time.

The charm of Kiyomizu, though, is not just the house per se but the entire village it stands in. Alex Kerr was especially attracted to this hamlet, which is one of the most characteristic in the Yamaura.

Please note: Yamaura Stay Kiyomizu is not accessible by public transportation or shuttle buses. A car is essential for getting to ski resorts and shopping for groceries. You’ll need to rent a car either from the airport or after arriving at a major station. Despite this inconvenience, the stay offers an experience more than worth the journey.

Yamaura Stay Kiyomizu offers a truly untouched countryside experience in Japan, and for this reason, we do not publish its exact location online. The address is shared only with confirmed guests.
The property is located approximately 23 minutes by car from both CHINO Station and Ikenotaira Hotel, the central hub of 8 Peaks. It sits right between the two, offering convenient access while remaining peacefully secluded.

Yamaura Stay Kiyomizu

This is a fully private rental.
Guests are welcome to prepare their own meals using the kitchen, with groceries available from nearby supermarkets.
The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary cookware and tableware.
Breakfast catering is also available upon request.

Capacity: 2 to 6 guests
Style: Single-story house
Beds: 2 beds, 4 futons
•141㎡ Total Floor Area
•8-tatami Japanese-style room
•12-tatami Japanese-style room
•8-tatami Western-style room
•Combined living, dining, and kitchen area: approx. 25 tatami mats

Sample Rates (Per Person, Per Night)
With 2 guests: ¥35,200 – ¥51,700
With 3 guests: ¥30,800 – ¥47,300
With 4 guests: ¥27,500 – ¥44,000
With 5 guests: ¥24,200 – ¥40,700
With 6 guests: ¥20,900 – ¥37,400
Rates vary depending on the season.

•Typically, there is no room cleaning service, but for guests staying for four nights or more, cleaning staff will enter the farmhouse on the third day to change your towels and collect garbage.
•No smoking, no fire, no pets (except for guide dogs).
•Regarding amenities: We do not provide any pajamas or yukata. Please make sure to bring your own nightwear.
•To reduce waste, we do not provide disposable amenities such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, and skin care products. If you need any for your stay, please make sure to bring your own.

If you would like to stay at Yamaura Stay Kiyomizu, reservations are currently accepted by request form only.
Please submit your request using the form below, and a representative will get back to you within 4–5 days.

Child rate:
Prices for children 6 years old and above are the same as for adults.
Prices for children 5 years old and under are as follows. Facility fee: ¥3,300/night (futons and towels will not be provided). Extra futons can be arranged for ¥4,950/futon.

Cancellation Policy
・Arrival day: 100%
・1-21 days before: 50%
・22 days to 2 months before: 30%

How to get to Yamaura Stay Kiyomizu