Oumeitei Tsuji Ryokan
For those wishing to have a more leisurely exploration of the Togakushi area, stay a night in a traditional shukubo temple stay. Surrounding the Chusha (middle) shrine, are several shukubo available to stay overnight.
The lodgings came about historically as when winter came, the accommodations at the Okusha became too cold to be inhabited so the monks migrated down to the Chusha.
A perfect midway point to rest and recuperate after hiking the first half of the Togakushi Kodo, one can explore the grounds of the Chusha where Togakushi Shrine’s head office now resides.
Pass through the impressive 11 meter tall tori gate, walk up the stairs and view the revered Sanbon-sugi; three giant cedars tree growing next to each, all of them over 800 years old. There is also a solitary sacred giant cedar over 700 years old on the grounds.
After exploring, walk a short distance to your overnight lodgings for a delicious feast comprised of fresh local produce, soak in the public bath and sleep soundly on your futon upon the tatami floor of your room.
Oumeitei Tsuji Ryokan established during the Nara period (710-794) is a wonderful place to experience the traditional shukubo. Every shukubo is helmed by a Shinto priest of Togakushi Shrine, so they are more than happy to accept requests for prayers in front of the shrine, special dance performances at Togakushi shrine etc.
With 12 charming rooms available, all hearken back to the beautiful history of the area.
If you can, reserve yourself their largest room; the “Special Japanese-style Room”.
With a spacious 10-tatami mat room and a 7-tatami mat room, the room will transport you back to a time long gone filled with stunning details.
Sliding Shoji doors separate you from little enclaves, softly filtering in natural light, whilst the Fusuma sliding doors feature gorgeous Japanese patterns, and detailed scenes of iconic Japanes nature, and daily life.
In the smaller tatami room - the low lacquer table, is perfectly positioned on the tatami to reflect the brilliant blue of the sky, and fluffy clouds when the shoji doors are open.
A traditional Japanese garden lies landscaped on one of the balconies, whilst both balconies offer lovely peaceful views of the surrounding area.
Dinner is a delightful affair, showcasing the region’s speciality; the famed Togakushi Soba - “soba kaiseki” complimented with varying seasonal local produce of which one can taste buckwheat in a variety of forms.
Tsuji Ryokan is a certified Shinshu soba-kiri restaurant, which means all the the buckwheat flour in the soba-making process is produced in the prefecture, the use of binders is 30% or less and the soba is entirely handmade.
Breakfast is equally delicious, and after the early morning start - it’s time to complete the walking trail then head down to Kanazawa for more adventures.
