Location｜Kitaazumi, Nagano
Type｜Ryokan
Highlights
- Registered as a Nagano Prefecture SDGs Promotion Enterprise; awarded Excellence Prize by the Minister of the Environment at the Good Life Awards
- Achieves circular energy through local timber construction and wood-chip biomass boiler
- A unique experience of mind-body healing in “Kamitsuren-no-Yu” baths made with Japanese chamomile
Nestled in the mountains of Ikeda, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture, Kamitsure no Yado Yasue-sō is a small lodge that gently embraces all who visit. This is the birthplace of Kamitsuren, a Japanese chamomile skincare brand, where the founder returned to his homeland to create chamomile fields and a lodge, naming it “Kamitsure no Sato” (Chamomile Village). When you step through the entrance, the scent of natural wood fills the air, and the crisp atmosphere immediately puts your mind at ease. The warmth here makes visitors feel as though they’ve found “another hometown.”
Sustainability Initiatives
At Yasue-sō, environmentally conscious systems are woven throughout the entire lodge.
Amenities feature Kamitsuren skincare products, ensuring a stay that’s gentle on both the environment and your skin with nature-derived ingredients.
Hot water and floor heating are powered by a wood-chip biomass boiler that uses locally sourced thinned timber and dead Japanese red pine. This supports healthy forest cycles without substantially increasing CO2 emissions.
Interior finishes make generous use of solid wood from Nagano Prefecture, creating spaces where you can feel the warmth of natural materials.
Meals incorporate pesticide-free vegetables delivered from local farms, with menus that celebrate seasonal bounty.
Guest Experience & Key Elements
With just seven guest rooms, each space is wrapped in natural wood and plaster that naturally regulate humidity, allowing even guests with allergies to stay comfortably. Bedding uses organic cotton and down, reflecting careful attention to sleep quality.
The signature feature of this lodge is “Kamitsuren-no-Yu.” These amber-colored baths, generously infused with chamomile extract, release a rich fragrance and offer a soft feel on the skin, gently relaxing both body and mind. Meals center on vegetables in body-friendly preparations. Dinner features seasonal kaiseki-style courses, while breakfast highlights steamed seasonal vegetables in traditional bamboo steamers, served alongside bread—a guest favorite. Additionally, the luxury of “doing nothing”—strolling through the forest or reading by the wood-burning stove in the lounge—is part of the lodge’s unique charm.
Connection to the Community
Yasue-sō treasures the循環 (cycles) created by utilizing local resources. By using local timber for construction materials and fuel, the lodge supports forestry and contributes to forest conservation. Furthermore, through its history of supporting farmers nationwide with chamomile cultivation, the lodge has walked alongside the life of the region.
Recommended Stay Tips
For families and friends who want to spend time connecting with nature, weekends or extended holidays are ideal. Meanwhile, solo travelers or small groups seeking quiet time to restore mind and body will find weekdays especially appealing. In spring, chamomile fields spread as far as the eye can see; summer brings highland breezes and abundant vegetables; winter leaves lasting memories with snowy landscapes and the warmth of the wood-burning stove.
Conclusion
Yasue-sō provides comfortable, reassuring stays for visitors while circulating regional resources. Natural-material guest rooms, environmentally conscious bathing, and meals featuring local seasonal ingredients—time spent here is an experience of essential well-being, simultaneously fulfilling environmental kindness and mind-body healing.
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