NIPPONIA Chichibu Monzenmachi

NIPPONIA Chichibu Monzenmachi could be considered unique even among most other NIPPONIA properties as it consists of two separate buildings. The first one, Maruju, is a misegura or merchant house that served as the local pharmacy and was built over 100 years ago. Accommodations here come in a Japanese-Western style with raised beds, including one room that has been remodeled into a maisonette. The ryokan's signature restaurant, Restaurant Maruju is also located here.

The second property of NIPPONIA Chichibu Monzenmachi is the Koike-Miyatani building, a Taisho Era retail space now named after the two businesses that operated here - the Koike Tobacco Shop and the Miyatani Footwear Store. Noticeably Western in design, as were many buildings made during the late Meiji Period and Taisho Era, the accommodations here are also styled with a mix of Japanese and Western furnishings and fixtures, even including carpeted floors.

Design and Architecture

For the most part, both Maruju and Koike-Miyatani retained their original foundations and structure. Century-old timbers and beams support Maruju's walls and ceilings, with some likely added or replaced for safety reasons. In the case of Maruju, the merchant house's transformation was likely more for functionality and comfort. The Kyoto-style walls give the rooms a refined air, while the modern furniture provides a familiar anchor amidst the historic features surrounding guests. The maisonette unit, in particular, is well-loved for its vaulted ceiling and loft-style bedroom area.

By taking advantage of the already present Western aesthetics, the interior design of Koike-Miyatan bring forth a romanticized atmosphere that hearkens to Taisho Era Japan. The floors are a mix of wooden boards, tatami mats, and carpeted areas. Retro-modern would be a good way to describe the accommodations in this building, as some rooms have a traditional tatami area with a chabudai table, while the others have a Western-style living room instead.

Aptly called Restaurant Maruju because it is situated in the Maruju building, NIPPONIA Chichibu Monzenmachi's signature dining establishment features inventive takes on local Chichibu delicacies and staples. Presentation in inspired by French gourmet style, while the dishes are made by taking advantage of seasonal ingredients found throughout the region. They also offer breakfasts in the traditional Japanese style known as washoku.

Opening Hours: 12 pm - 3 pm (Lunch, last orders at 2 pm); 6:30 pm - 10 pm (Dinner, last orders at 9:30 pm)

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

Chichibu isn't just a small valley city that's conveniently several hours from Tokyo, it's also a tucked-away paradise filled with breathtaking natural wonders and exciting cultural and religious festivals. Chichibu Jinja is the region's primary Shinto shrine and home of the Chichibu Kawasematsuri and Chichibu Yomatsuri. The Kawasematsuri is descended from the Heian Era's Gion festival and is held every July, where participants parade around gigantic wooden shrines to the sound of booming taiko drums. The Yomatsuri, or Night Festival, is held every December and is regarded as one of Japan's largest float festivals.

The valley is filled with nature sights and outdoor adventures, making Chichibu a prime destination even if there aren't any festivals scheduled soon. Hitsujiyama Park is home to the Moss Pink Hill, an area filled with moss phlox plants that flower every spring and color the whole landscape in various shades of pink. Alongside this, the park is also home to 1000 cherry trees, making it a fantastic spot for sakura flower viewing.

Other Celebrations

A trip to Chichibu would make a fantastic choice for celebrating a birthday or anniversary. However, you may want to contact the hotel's management first if you'd like to hold a private celebration during your stay. They may be able to provide some personalized service, or refer you to friendly establishments that would be able to address your needs.