Mention Yamanashi Prefecture and most travelers will probably picture Mt. Fuji or Lake Kawaguchiko. Kosuge Village lies near Otsuki Station, a common transfer point for trips toward the Fuji area, and is about a 1-hour bus ride from the station.

Part of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, around 95% of Kosuge is covered by lush forest. Roughly 30% of the village is also designated as water conservation forest for Tokyo, while the surrounding mountains form the headwaters of the Tama River, one of the capital region’s important water sources. Thanks to its exceptionally clean water, Kosuge is known for local specialties such as wasabi and yamame trout, along with konjac and wild game including venison.

With a population of just around 700, the village has none of the bright signs or constant bustle of the city. Instead, it preserves the quiet atmosphere of a traditional Japanese mountain community. After dark, the skies fill with stars, while the sounds of insects and flowing water make for a wonderfully peaceful night.

For travelers accustomed to high-rises and a fast-paced routine, Kosuge feels like a natural reset, offering space to slow down and simply enjoy the mountains.

We’ve already introduced the idea of a “700-person village becoming one hotel,” but what does that actually mean?

NIPPONIA is an accommodation brand focused on revitalizing historic buildings and addressing Japan’s growing number of vacant homes. Rather than constructing new hotel buildings, it carefully renovates traditional kominka houses that carry the history and character of their communities, preserving their original charm while adding the comfort and design modern travelers expect.

NIPPONIA Kosuge Village brings this philosophy to life by spreading the functions of a hotel throughout the village itself:

・Guest rooms: Traditional homes and vacant houses around the village have been renovated into accommodations, giving guests the chance to stay in different settings and experience a variety of local scenery.
・Restaurants and cafés: Several restaurants and cafés around the village serve dishes made with local ingredients. NIPPONIA also offers its own meals for guests.
・Hot springs: The hotel does not have a dedicated onsen, but guests can visit the village’s public hot spring, Tama Genryu Kosuge-no-Yu. Those who prefer to stay in can also use the private bathroom at NIPPONIA.
・Experiences: Explore the village by e-bike or join a guided walk with a local to learn more about the area, its landscape, and its stories.

There are no imposing hotel walls or conventional grand lobby here. Staying at NIPPONIA Kosuge Village is less about simply checking into a hotel and more about experiencing what it might feel like to become part of the village, even if only for a day.

First up is OHYA, a 150-year-old former farmhouse once known as the Hosokawa Residence, home to a wealthy local family involved in sericulture. The renovation preserves the building’s massive exposed timber beams, while the original earthen storehouse has been transformed into guest rooms and the building to the right of the gate now houses an elegant restaurant.

To preserve the quiet atmosphere of this historic property, OHYA welcomes guests of junior high school age and older only. This helps maintain a calm, peaceful setting throughout the stay.

Straight through the main gate is OHYA’s central building. The property has just four guest rooms, spread across several different structures on the grounds.

NIPPONIA staff warmly welcome guests, show them to their rooms, and explain everything they need to know for their stay. During our visit, Mr. Taniguchi and Ms. Yamamoto guided the LIVE JAPAN team. Staff are usually stationed at the restaurant, so guests can stop by anytime if they need assistance.

Next, here’s a quick look at the four distinctive guest rooms.

OHYA 1 (Garden view suite)

Once used to welcome important guests, OHYA 1 is a spacious split-level room with beds on both floors. It also features a wide engawa veranda overlooking the garden, while the bathroom at the rear has large windows so you can enjoy the view while soaking in the tub.

The engawa is furnished with comfortable seating and a hanging chair, making it an inviting spot to relax and enjoy the greenery outside. A small stream runs through the garden, and the gentle sound of flowing water adds to the peaceful atmosphere.

OHYA 2 (Creator's twin)

Located beside the living area of the main house, OHYA 2 incorporates elements of a traditional doma, or earthen-floored space. At the rear is a study with large windows overlooking the surroundings, plus a small loft-like nook that feels a little like a secret hideaway with a view.

Tucked away at the back of the room, the study feels pleasantly secluded while still filling with natural light through its large windows. It is a cozy, playful, and peaceful space for unwinding.

OHYA 3 (Bamboo view twin)

OHYA 3 features two playful loft spaces, with the beds located upstairs to leave the ground floor feeling especially spacious. An engawa veranda faces a lush bamboo grove, letting plenty of natural light and greenery into the room.

From the loft where the beds are located, you can look across to another elevated nook on the opposite side. Settle into the hanging chair, gaze out at the greenery, and enjoy the relaxed feeling of being surrounded by nature.

OHYA 4 (Hanare DOZO twin)

OHYA 4 is a standalone guest room converted from a traditional dozo storehouse. Compared with the main house, it has even more of a secret-hideaway feel, with the storehouse’s thick, solid structure creating a distinctive atmosphere. Upstairs, there is also a small tatami area that feels perfect for relaxing and chatting in private.

Although storehouses can sound dark and enclosed, OHYA 4 gets plenty of natural light, giving the room a surprisingly relaxed feel. One thing to watch out for is the low doorframe, especially if you are tall.

Stays at OHYA include both breakfast and dinner, with dishes prepared using local ingredients. Mr. Taniguchi especially recommended the yamame trout, a local specialty that features in the hotel’s cuisine.

While OHYA charms with its quiet, historic atmosphere, KONAGATA offers something very different. Perched along the mountainside, it consists of two renovated two-story villas created from old and vacant homes in the village. As each is a completely private building, guests of all ages are welcome, including families with children.

The exterior may look relatively simple compared with OHYA, but step inside and the impression changes completely. Large windows frame sweeping views across the valley, making the surrounding mountains feel like part of the room itself.

Here’s a look at the two villa types.

KONAGATA 1 (Forest view suite)

KONAGATA 1 offers a generous 70 square meters of space. The first floor features a stylish island kitchen and a living area with a fireplace, while the mountain views outside make the whole space feel instantly relaxing.

Head downstairs to the bedroom, where large windows once again open onto sweeping mountain views. With two double beds, the room works especially well for families or groups of friends traveling together.

KONAGATA 2 (Forest view double)

At 40 square meters, KONAGATA 2 feels more compact and cozy than KONAGATA 1. Step inside and you’ll find a comfortable sofa, a small desk, and a spacious island kitchen counter that makes good use of the room.

Downstairs, there is also a small study tucked away like a secret hideaway. It is especially suited to couples or small families, accommodating up to two adults and one child.

Both floors feature large windows facing the mountains, so the scenery remains part of the experience wherever you choose to relax.

Guests staying at KONAGATA can enjoy what NIPPONIA calls a premium self-catering experience, with everything provided so there is no need to bring ingredients or cooking equipment.

A chef-supervised meal kit comes stocked with high-quality ingredients, while the kitchen is fully equipped with the tools you need. Simply follow the recipe provided on the tablet and cook together at your own pace.

With sweeping views outside the window, preparing dinner becomes part of the stay itself. It is a chance to chat, cook with friends or family, and enjoy an unhurried evening far removed from the usual daily routine.

During our visit, Mr. Taniguchi shared a sample itinerary for making the most of a stay. After checking in at around 3 PM, guests can join a guided walk through Kosuge Village, available in Japanese or English, head to Kosuge-no-Yu for a soak around 5 PM, then return to NIPPONIA at 6:30 PM for dinner and an evening around the campfire.

The next day, around three to four hours is generally enough to explore the village’s main sights. Since Kosuge has plenty of hills, however, walking everywhere can be tiring. NIPPONIA offers e-bikes, which are a much easier way to get around.

Food is another highlight of the stay. Along with local yamame trout, spring and summer menus feature mountain vegetables, autumn brings mushrooms, and winter is the season for wild game. Kosuge also has its own brewery, so guests who are not driving can try the local beer, while other specialties include handmade konjac produced by local residents.

If the retro atmosphere of NIPPONIA’s accommodations has caught your eye, there is another new spot worth checking out. Opened in summer 2026, kadoya adds a fresh reason to spend more time exploring Kosuge Village.

The NIPPONIA team renovated a former inn called Kadoya in the center of the village, transforming the long-closed property into a new multipurpose space known simply as kadoya.

kadoya has an especially charming concept: serving as the “village living room.” The first floor is an open-to-all café, while the second floor houses guest rooms. A neighboring building also contains a self-service laundromat and children’s play area, creating a comfortable space where both travelers and locals can stop, relax, and spend time.

The café’s coffee program was supervised by popular Tokyo coffee brand ONIBUS COFFEE. Ordering a hand-dripped coffee and settling into the quiet café is a lovely way to slow down for a while.

Another highlight is the Kosuge Miso Basque Cheesecake (660 yen). Basque cheesecake may be familiar, but adding miso gives it a distinctly local twist. The subtle salty-sweet miso flavor balances nicely with the rich, creamy cheesecake, making it surprisingly easy to finish in one sitting.

The accommodation on kadoya’s second floor offers seven room types, ranging from rooms with a single double bed to bunk-bed rooms suited to groups. Guests can choose whichever layout best fits their travel style.

Spend some time here and you might see older residents stopping by for afternoon coffee, parents bringing their children to the play area, or villagers doing their laundry next door. It is these everyday scenes that make kadoya feel less like a tourist facility and more like a genuine part of village life.

Whether you are staying at NIPPONIA or simply passing through Kosuge on a road trip, kadoya makes an easy place to stop, slow down, and experience a little of the warmth of this mountain community.

The easiest way to reach Kosuge Village from Tokyo is to take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station, then transfer to a Fujikyuko Bus bound for Kosuge-no-Yu. Guests staying at NIPPONIA Kosuge Village can also use the hotel’s shuttle service to and from Otsuki Station or rent a car from the Nippon Rent-a-Car near the station.

If you plan to continue toward the Mt. Fuji area after visiting Kosuge, a rail pass may help save on transportation costs.

If you’re looking for a change of pace from Japan’s big cities, consider spending two days and one night in Kosuge Village. Settle into your room at NIPPONIA Kosuge Village, slow down, and enjoy a peaceful getaway surrounded by mountains and nature.