Kamesei – Seattleite Runs a Ryokan in Nagano

Tokura Kamiyamada Onsen, Nagano Prefecture

This is one of the most famous onsen in Nagano Prefecture. It sits next to the Chikuma River, a large river surrounded by mountains. Soak in the onsen and gaze at the magnificent scenery. There is nothing better!

The onsen’s simple alkaline spring water is gentle to the skin, leaving it silky smooth. It is known as “beautiful spring water.”

Kamesei

Kamesei is a long-running Japanese-style ryokan inn with beautiful gardens and sumptious meals. Unsurprisingly, it is popular with tourists. Parts of Kamesei were built more than a century ago.

One of the great things about Kamesei is that you can experience a traditional Japanese inn without worrying about a language barrier. The young master of Kamesei is Tyler Lynch of Seattle! When Tyler’s father-in-law fell ill and was unable to manage the ryokan, Tyler, his wife Mari, and their three children moved to Japan to take over the inn’s operations.

Mari’s parents were inclined to shut down the ryokan when the father became ill, but Tyler persuaded them to give him a chance and keep the popular inn open. Since he took over, he has built a new outdoor bath and is working hard to make sure Kamesei is as popular as ever.

To learn more about Kamesei, check out this website: http://kamesei.jp/english/kannai.html

At a typical ryokan, staff serves guests a cup of green tea and Japanese sweets as soon as they arrive. At Kamesei, Tyler greats them with “Seattle cookies” that he bakes using his mother’s recipe.

Location & Contact Information

Kamesei Ryokan

2-15-1 Kamiyamada Onsen, Chikuma, Nagano 389-0821 Japan
Phone: +81-26-275-1032

Author profile

Kurita
Kurita
Yasushi Kurita was born in Tokyo. He has spent the last 30 years as a writer for print publications and TV. When he was in college, he spent two years in New York. His favorite band is the Atlanta Rhythm Section, making him one of about 15 Japanese people who actually like that band.

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