TATESHINA AI -Articles(1)-

Tateshina Ai is now known as a popular ryokan, but of course, it was not built overnight.
The efforts of the proprietor and his family are scattered throughout the 3,500 tsubo (about 2.8 acres) of land.
Tateshina Ai was established in April 1982 by Kazuyuki Niwa, the third generation president of a clock and watch precision machinery factory established by his grandfather in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.
Although he was running the plant while feeling anxious about the future of the steel industry, he could not give up his long-held dream of "wanting to be in the service industry, whatever that may be".
Also, Kazuyuki's father owned land in Tateshina, which he often visited, and he naturally became attached to the area.

Tateshina Highlands where Tateshina Ai is located
Tateshina Highlands where Tateshina Ai is located

After these two matters came together and he came to the conclusion that his dream could be "a service business that could be started in Tateshina = ryokan", he closed the factory and opened this inn.
However, as a business owner, he understood the danger of starting a business without knowing what to expect from an amateur.
Before opening the inn, he took a six-month unpaid training job at a tourist hotel that was introduced to him by a friend.
Kazuyuki told us that he was able to open the inn because he absorbed a variety of knowledge necessary for the inn business, which is one of the most important hospitality businesses.

When it first opened, it was a small ryokan with a total of seven guest rooms (all Western-style rooms).
For the first two years after opening, there were only three staff members: Kazuyuki, his wife Yukiko, and his mother. The three of them worked together on every little job, no matter how small.
Perhaps because of this, the spirit of doing what one can do oneself is deeply rooted in his heart, and even today, there are many times when Kazuyuki himself washes dishes and serves food.

Current Tateshina Ai
Current "Tateshina Ai"

In 1986, the current main building was expanded and the number of rooms increased to 13.
Around this time, a head chef was brought in from the outside to reduce the workload on Mr. Yukiko due to conflicts with her other duties.
In 1993, the large public bath was renovated and an open-air bath was built.
In 1996, the original building was torn down and a new building, "Airakutei" and a new restaurant, "Yamami-an" were built.
This became the prototype for the current Tateshina Ai.
At that time, there were 18 rooms.
Later, in 2003, a private open-air bath was opened.
In 2005, the "Ai" guest room was remodeled as Japanese/Western-style rooms with beds.
In March 2008, the long-awaited guest room with an open-air bath was opened, giving the inn its current appearance.
The man who headed this renovation is Yuji Niwa (born in 1965), who assumed the position of president in 2009. He is the eldest son of the founder, Kazuyuki Niwa.
Of the five guest rooms with open-air baths, "Suho" and "Akane" were converted to Japanese-style rooms with bedrooms, the layout was widened, and the number of rooms was reduced from 18 to 17.
Furthermore, the large public bath was also renovated.
The lobby has also been renovated, with every detail of the lobby being carefully designed to create an impressive finish.
Tables and chairs custom-made by a furniture craftsman line the lobby.
Looking at the space where the next generation of innkeepers put their sense of style to use, we look forward to the future growth of the inn.

Lobby Large Public Bath
Lobby Large Public Bath

The inn is surrounded by fresh air and has the appearance of a "Soan (thatched hut)" surrounded by flowers and greenery, as represented by the approach from the parking lot to the front door.
The various scenes that change with the seasons are a delight to the eyes of visitors.
Once inside the inn, there is a perfect balance of "elegance" and "wabi and sabi", which is exquisite.
This is truly a "Japanese" inn for adults.

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TATESHINA AI Travel Journal


Articles
Articles

Tateshina Ai is now known as a popular ryokan, but of course, it was not built overnight. The efforts of the proprietor and his family are scattered throughout the 3,500 tsubo (about 2.8 acres) of land......

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Private & Open-air Bath Reports

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Facilities & Hot Spring Reports

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Guest Room Reports

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Cuisine Reports

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Extra Reports
Extra Reports

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Keywords for this ryokan
Healing space reminiscent of second house
Rooms with open-air baths for holidays
Private open-air baths for enjoying the elegant outdoors
Yamami Kaiseki cuisine that skillfully expresses the four seasons
Hospitality with the spirit of indigo dyeing

TATESHINA AI Basic Information

Accommodation Information

Check-In 3:00 p.m.
Check-Out 10:30 a.m. ※Early check-in and late check-out options available with official reservations
Card usage VISA / MASTER / AMEX / DINERS / Debit
Room Views Garden
In-room Meal Some yes
Dinner Yamami Kaiseki cuisine
Breakfast Japanese cuisine

Room Rates ※Rates are for 1 person when 2 people stay in 1 room (tax not included)

Official website's online reservation benefits The most economical rates are available for reservations through official website.
<Official Reservations Only - Choice of Special Offers>
【A】Cuisine upgrade
【B】Early check-in / Late check-out
※If you select【A】,you must contact the hotel at the time of reservation or by 6:00 p.m. the day before your stay. Check the Official Website for details
Special Packages Guest room one-day meal plan, anniversary plan, Shinshu gourmet plan, women's group plan, single traveler plan, multiple night plan, etc. Check the Official Website for details★
Guest room with open-air bath
(D/NA/ND/NF type)
From 35,200 yen
Japanese-style room (10 tatami mats) + Bed R+Dining space R+Veranda + Shower booth + Open-air bath (Max. 6 persons) / Japanese-style room (12.5 tatami mats) + 6 tatami mats + Sunken kotatsu + Indoor bath + Open-air bath (Max. 6 persons) / Japanese-style room (10 tatami mats) +Veranda + Indoor bath + Open-air bath (Max. 4 persons) / Japanese-Western-style room (10 tatami mats) + Shower booth + Open-air bath (Max. 3 persons)
Standard Japanese/Western Style Room
(A type)
From 30,800 yen
Japanese-style room (6 tatami mats) + Bedroom (8 tatami mats) + Living room + Japanese cypress indoor bath (Max. 4 persons)
Standard Japanese-style room
(NB/NC/B/C type)
From 25,300 yen
Japanese-style room (12.5 tatami mats) + Sunken kotatsu + Indoor bath (Max. 8 persons) / Japanese-style room (10 tatami mats) + Sunken kotatsu + Indoor bath (Max. 4 persons) / Japanese-style room (10 tatami mats) + 4 tatami mats + Japanese cypress indoor bath (Max. 6 persons) / Japanese-style room (10 tatami mats) + Indoor bath (Max. 4 persons)

Facility Information

Establishment / Reconstruction / Renovation Established: 1982 / Reconstructed: 1996 /Renovated: 2022
Number of Rooms All 17 rooms (8 rooms with open-air bath)
Number of People Accommodated 72 persons
Private bath Private open-air bath×2
Fee: 2,000 yen/45 min.
Usage hours: 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Reservation method: At check-in
View: Garden
Public Bath Information Public baths for men and women (men and women are interchangeable)
Usage hours: 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. the next day ※Open-air baths are turned off at 11:00 p.m. Available the next morning when outside is bright.
Parking Area 21 cars
Pets Not allowed
Barrier Free Not supported
Esthetics / Massages Esthetics: None
Massages: Yes(5,000 yen/40 min.)
Internet Wi-Fi available in all rooms
DVD Available (D type guest rooms "Akane" and "Suho" only)
TV Channels NHK: 2 stations, Private Broadcasting: 4 stations
Facilities Banquet hall, Store, Lounge, Aizome workshop, Private dining room (Yamami-An), Bar (Sake Kitchen Chirori)
Refrigerator System Declare only what you use (space for drinks you bring in/freezer available)
Vending Machine None
Sales shop Available
Yukata Bath towels
Towels Soap
Body wash Shampoo
Conditioner Rinse in shampoo
Shower cap Toothbrush
Hair dryer Brush
Comb Razor blade
Cotton bud Toilet with washer

Other Service / Rental Information

Wheelchair Stairway and passageway handrails / Wheelchairs for free rental
Child Children's slippers / Children's yukata
Foreign Languages

Extra Information

Recommended Souvenirs Indigo-dyed products (inn's original)
Nearby Convenience Store 10 min. by car
Cellular Antennas ◎docomo ◎au ◎softbank

Private usage

Charges
Usage time
※With meal plan (reservation required)
Charges ①Private open-air bath for outdoor fun ※Limited to 4 groups per day for lunch use only: Lunch fee (Yamami cuisine: From 3,900 yen, Yamami Kaiseki cuisine: From 7,500 yen) + Charter fee: 1,500 yen ※Private dining room (available for meals only)
②Guest room 6H stay + Lunch (Yamami cuisine): From 9,000 yen / 9H stay + Lunch (Soba set meal) + Dinner (Yamami Kaiseki cuisine): From 17,000 yen
Meal Details Soba set meal, Yamami cuisine, Yamami Kaiseki cuisine
Settlement Date ①Private open-air bath for outdoor fun (Limited to 4 groups per day for lunch only): Every day except peak season
②Guest room stay: Weekdays and Sundays (Except for the day before a holiday, holidays, and peak season) ※Reservations accepted 3 days in advance
Usage Time ①Private open-air bath for outdoor fun(No room stay, limited to 4 groups per day for lunch use only): Private dining room (available for meals only): 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. / Private open-air baths: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
②Guest room 6H stay: 11:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m. / 9H stay: 11:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m.
Other Public baths for men and women + Open-air baths, Private open-air baths are free for charge

TATESHINA AI Hot spring Information

Spring quality Alkaline Simple hot spring (Alkaline, Hypotonic, High temperature hot spring)
Temperature of the source 52.8℃
Output rate
Hydrogen ion pH 8.9
Total dissolved substances (excluding gases)
Gushing of the source Hot water carried from "Serigasawa Onsen"
Add water / Circulation Filtration ●Large public baths for men and women, open-air baths for men and women
●Private open-air bath・・・Using a circulation filtration system. Fresh hot spring water is added for the decreased hot water.
●Guest room open-air bath・・・Using a circulation filtration system. No chlorine sterilization is used.
●Guest room indoor bath・・・Using tap water.
Water heating Yes (Because of using a circulation filtration system)
Sterilization of bath Yes (Chlorine is used under the guidance of the public health center) ※Excluding guest room open-air baths
Replacement of hot water in bathtub ●Guest room open-air bath・・Replaced for each customers
●Large public baths for men and women, open-air baths for men and women, private open-air baths・・・Replaced once every 5 days.
Bath Additive No using
Indications by Spring Quality (Revised on July 1, 2014) Autonomic instability, Insomnia, Depression
General Indications for Bathing (Revised on July 1, 2014) Chronic pain or stiffness of muscles or joints (chronic phase of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains, etc.), muscle stiffness in motor paralysis, sensitivity to cold, peripheral nerve disorder, decline of gastrointestinal function (slow digestion, intestinal gas formation, etc.), mild high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance (diabetes), mild hypercholesterolemia, mild asthma or emphysema, hemorrhoidal pain, autonomic instability, various symptoms from stress (sleep disorders, depression, etc.),convalescence stage of illness, recovery from fatigue, promotion of health.
Color of hot water Colorless
For drinking Cannot
Indications for drinking
Smell / Taste Odorless

TATESHINA AI Access & Nearby Information

Access

By Train JR Chuo Line, from Chino Station, 30 min. by bus, 20 min. by car
Shuttle bus None
By Car From Chuo Line Suwa I.C. to Route 299 approx. 30 min.

Nearby Information

Nearby Sightseeing Spots Lake Shirakaba, Kitayatsugatake Ropeway, Kurumayama-kogen, Barra Klein English Garden
Recreation (tourist farms, parks, etc.)
Sports Golf, Skiing, Tennis, Skating, Cycling
Staff messages Message from Mr. Yuji Niwa, Representative Director

We serve Yamami Kaiseki cuisine, featuring mountain and river ingredients, using antique ceramics and original dishes. Please come and relax and forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
Date of Interview Jul. 10, 2018
Date of Information update Sep. 9, 2023

※When making a reservation, please mention that you saw "kashikiri-onsen.com"

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Article creator of this ryokan

CEO of Onsen.com Co.,Ltd.

For more than 30 years, he has been visiting hot spring ryokans all over Japan, persuading innkeepers of the need for "private baths". He is still a traveler who spends half of the year at a hot spring. In addition to being a article creater, photographer, and drone pilot, he also designs websites and provides consulting services.