Located deep within Nagano’s Kiso Valley, Narai-juku – the 34th of 69 stations along the old Nakasendo route – marks the midway point on the pathway that once connected Edo-era Kyoto and Tokyo. Although most of the stations along the old merchant routes and pilgrimage pathways have been lost to time, a handful still remain – Narai-juku being one of them – and have been beautifully preserved as if they are stuck within an Edo-era time warp.

Opening its doors on August 4, 2021, is Narai-juku’s newest hotel – ‘BYAKU Narai’. A decentralized hotel, BYAKU Narai will allow it’s customers to ‘fully enjoy the charms of Narai-juku’ through the accommodation and experiences which are spread throughout the town.

As a decentralized hotel, BYAKU Narai will allow the whole area to act as one accomodation facility. The hotel will consist of several renovated traditional buildings, of more than 200 years in age, spread throughout the town. Alongside lodging, the hotel facilities will include a restaurant, sake brewery, a bar, a gallery and hot springs.

Project planning and production is being undertaken by 47PLANNING Co. Ltd, the renovations will be undertaken by Salt Terminal co. Ltd, and Narai Machiyado Co. Ltd will be in charge of the hotel and restaurant operation following opening. Shiojiri City Forestry Corporation, which promotes the use of sustainable local forestry and the renovation of traditional buildings, is behind the whole plan, and is developing the hotel as part of a sustainable grand forest cycle.

Altogether the aim is to create a space where new life and unique experiences are breathed into the area, through the utilization of historical buildings and local natural resources.

Connect directly with the Narai-juku community with what BYAKU Narai has coined as their ‘LOCAL EXPERIENCE’. Made up of things that you would normally miss in your daily life, such as the transitions of dawn to day and dusk to night, the history of the buildings, and the beauty of local arts and crafts that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Guests will be able to experience Narai-juku to its fullest through the various stories that have shaped the town and it’s unique history and culture.

Spread across the town, the different buildings will allow guests to connect directly with the Narai-juku community and spirit with what BYAKU Narai has coined as their ‘LOCAL EXPERIENCE’.
Guests will enjoy a variety of things that would normally be missed in daily life, such as the transitions of dawn to day and dusk to night, the history of the buildings, and the beauty of the local arts and crafts that have been passed down from generation to generation.
By incorporating all corners of Narai-juku into the accommodation design, BYAKU Narai will provide guests with the opportunity to explore all aspects of the old post-town and learn about the various stories that have shaped the unique history and culture of the town.

Taking advantage of the historical building structures, BYAKU Narai offers 12 unique and diverse guest rooms at the renovated sake brewery ‘Toshiyoshiya’, and ‘Ueharaya’ which was once where musicians would stay and perform during the Edo-era. The repurposing of these buildings creates a unique accommodation experience where guests can truly step back in time and discover the true Narai-juku.

Reservations are already being accepted for the grand opening of the hotel in August and can be made on the official BYAKU Narai website.

---

BYAKU Narai Restaurant: Kura

The hotel’s restaurant ‘Kura’ will focus on reconstructing, and putting a modern interpretation onto, the original charm of Narai-juku by utilizing seasonal foods produced by local farmers that are unique to the region. Visitors will be able to enjoy the local cuisine and traditional cooking methods of Narai-juku and the surrounding region.

BYAKU Narai Sake Brewery: Suginomori Sake Brewery

The main production room of the old Sugimori Sake Brewery has been renovated as a drinking space where guests can watch the sake making process through a glass window. Taken over by Hiroshi Sandberg of Kiraku Co, the brewery has been reborn as Suginomori Sake Brewery and will develop a new sake brand called ‘Narai’.

TASTING BAR Suginomori is scheduled to open in the fall of 2021 and will act as a place where both locals and visitors can delight over the local sake.

BYAKU Narai facility overview

Accommodation:
Guest Rooms: Toshiyoshiya (8 rooms), Ueharaya (4 rooms)
Official Website: https://byaku.site Opening date: August 4 2021

Restaurant: 嵓 kura (located at Toshiyoshiya)

Sake Brewery: Suginomori Brewery (located at Toshiyoshiya)

Tasting bar: TASTING BAR Suginomori (located at Toshiyoshiya)

Hot Spring facility: ⼭泉 SAN-SEN (located at Toshiyoshiya)

Gallery: hoihoi (located at Ueharaya)