Kaido Roman On-yado Tsutaya

At Kaido Roman On-yado Tsutaya, the time of an inn that has welcomed travelers in Kiso-Fukushima flows quietly. Our journey began in the mid-Edo period, in the first year of Genroku, as a lodging at "Fukushima-juku" on the Nakasendo and Kiso Road, and we continue to welcome guests at the same location today. From the ambiance along the Kiso River, the Japanese decor in the lobby, the Jazz drifting in the lounge, to the refreshing Kiso water after a bath, each aspect of your stay adds to the comfort of taking a breather on your journey.

Kaido Roman On-yado Tsutaya began as a resting place for travelers on the Nakasendo during the Edo period. Located in Kiso-Fukushima, the midpoint of the Kiso Road, it connects to Narai-juku in the north and Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku in the south. We cherish the moment when guests step through our entrance, feeling the relief akin to travelers who once found light at an inn. Beyond rushing through famous spots, we invite you to immerse yourself in our inn and feel the memories that breathe along the road.

What we have preserved over 350 years is not just our journey as an inn. The spirit of hospitality we have upheld since our founding and our desire to share the charm of the Kiso Road are also vital pillars for us. In recent years, we have offered the "Kaido Roman Tour," where guests can walk through the beautiful seasonal mountains and paths that retain the Edo period atmosphere, delivering unique landscapes and cuisine found only here, and revealing the expressions of Kiso through walking. The quiet time spent within our inn and the lingering echoes of a journey outside are all part of the continuous Kiso Road experience.

Our lobby welcomes guests as a ryokan lounge inspired by a post town. With traditional Japanese motifs like one of the town's two vintage clocks, armor, and a Kiso lacquerware staircase chest, these items quietly embrace travelers who have just arrived. Instead of lavish decorations, we preserve the essence of traditional Japanese "wa," allowing guests to feel a gentle slowing of time the moment they set down their luggage.

Our spacious lounge is filled with soothing jazz, providing a relaxing atmosphere. At the first-floor lounge, you can order alcoholic beverages and more until 9:00 PM, and there's a guitar anyone can play. Whether you're sipping a drink while listening to music, spreading out a map to plan the next day's route, or simply savoring the afterglow of a bath, everyone finds their own way to unwind here. The nights on the Kiso Road gently unfold in this space.

At the lounge's free-drink corner, ladle hot water from the iron tea kettle and make a cup to your liking. Choose from coffee, black tea, hojicha, green tea and rooibos tea, served with Japanese sweets, from check-in until 20:00. It suits a breather after arrival as well as a rest after a walk. Water boiled in the iron kettle is mellow and gentle on the palate, and it lets you take in iron naturally. Cup a steaming mug in both hands and the fatigue of travel seems to settle little by little.

After your bath, enjoy cold Kiso water prepared in a hinoki bucket. Pour it into a wooden cup and take a refreshing sip, experiencing the timeless taste of Kiso's delicious water. The cold water soothes your warmed body, and the touch of the wooden vessel leaves a pleasant aftertaste. If you prefer beer, feel free to order it in the lounge. Take your time to unwind after your bath according to your mood.

Before concluding your journey, please visit our Kiso souvenir shop on the first-floor lobby. We offer a variety of local souvenirs, including Kiso lacquerware and other carefully selected local specialties by our 14th-generation proprietress. Our shop is open from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM, making it convenient to browse before your morning departure or after dinner. Enjoy the time spent choosing gifts or mementos of your trip, as it is part of the pleasure of staying in Kiso-Fukushima.

We also provide the "Kaido Roman Meguri" map of the Kiso Road, drawn up by our staff after walking the routes themselves. It is an invitation to hike the Kiso Road in every season and carries the post-town mood you felt indoors out onto the actual road. The experiential stay program of the same name, in which you walk with a guide and write your travel memories in brush lettering with our 14th-generation okami, a certified "Tsutefude" instructor, is introduced in a separate article.

The story of our inn, which has continued since the first year of the Genroku era, is not just for reflecting on the past but to gently embrace the day of guests visiting us today. Walk along the Kiso Road, take a break in our facility, and head towards the next scenery. We hope you feel the hospitality unique to Tsutaya in this flow. On your next trip to Kiso-Fukushima, please take a moment to listen to the passage of time within our inn.