Saku Hotel is a historic accommodation in Iwamurada, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, combining the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese inn with the convenience of a modern hotel. It offers hot spring bathing as well as facilities suitable for both sightseeing and business travelers.
The history of Saku Hotel dates back to 1428, during the Muromachi period, making it one of the oldest established inns in Nagano Prefecture. With a history spanning approximately 600 years, the hotel has witnessed many chapters of Japanese history while continuing to welcome travelers to Saku.
The origins of Saku Hotel can be traced to 1428, when Mochizuki Kawachi-no-kami, the lord of Mochizuki Castle, is said to have established a facility in the area providing accommodation and meals for travelers.
Over the centuries, the property became associated with numerous historical figures. During the Sengoku period, a time of civil warfare and powerful regional warlords, Takeda Shingen is said to have visited the inn and enjoyed its baths. Records and traditions connected with these historical figures remain part of the hotel’s long history.
During the Edo period, the hotel was located near the local administrative center known as a jinya. It served important functions as an accommodation for officials and travelers, including roles associated with local village administration and legal affairs.
During the turbulent final years of the Edo period, the family also pursued ambitious new business ventures, including investment in a steamship enterprise. However, the spread of railways eventually caused the venture to fail, reportedly resulting in losses equivalent to approximately 6 billion yen in today’s value.
This experience led the family to establish a guiding principle of avoiding speculative ventures, risky investments, and gambling. A more cautious approach to management was subsequently passed down through the generations.
The hotel also preserves valuable historical materials, including a letter of appreciation reportedly presented by the Ashikaga shogunal family.
The current 19th-generation head of the family has taken a new approach to the hotel’s long history, actively sharing traditions and stories that were previously kept largely within the family.
These efforts include bringing renewed attention to traditional Saku carp cuisine, restoring a hot spring that had fallen out of use, and using the internet and social media to introduce the hotel’s history and attractions to a wider audience.
By combining centuries-old traditions with modern communication and hospitality, Saku Hotel continues to develop a distinctive identity for a new generation of travelers.
Saku Hotel has a total of 28 guest rooms, including 20 Japanese-style rooms and 8 Western-style rooms. The hotel can accommodate up to 150 guests.
The hotel’s hot spring is known as Asahi-yu Onsen. The water is classified under Japan’s hot spring regulations as a spring containing metasilicic acid and has a turbidity level of 5.6 degrees.
The spring is traditionally associated with benefits such as relieving fatigue and promoting general well-being, making it an inviting place to relax after exploring Saku and the surrounding areas.
Bathing facilities include a large communal bath and private baths. Day-use bathing is also available, allowing visitors to enjoy the hot spring even without staying overnight.
The hotel includes a restaurant, café, and banquet and meeting facilities capable of accommodating up to 250 people.
One particularly distinctive feature is a sanctuary dedicated to a divided spirit of Izumo Taisha. It is said to be the only such facility in Nagano Prefecture. The property also has a wedding venue and a monument inscribed with a poem by Wakayama Bokusui, a renowned Japanese poet.
One of the culinary highlights of Saku Hotel is koikoku, a traditional Japanese dish made with locally farmed Saku carp.
The carp is slowly simmered for approximately three hours in a special miso-based sauce until even the bones become tender. The long cooking process gives the dish a rich, deeply savory flavor that has been enjoyed by generations of guests.
According to the hotel’s tradition, the sauce has been continuously replenished and passed down since the middle of the Edo period. This long culinary heritage makes koikoku more than just a local dish—it is a taste of Saku’s history.
The hotel also serves its own mugwort shochu, a distilled Japanese spirit made using locally sourced yomogi, or Japanese mugwort. Its distinctive character pairs well with the hotel’s traditional cuisine.
From JR Sakudaira Station, Saku Hotel is approximately 2 minutes by taxi.
From Iwamurada Station on the JR Koumi Line, it is approximately a 6-minute walk.
Shuttle vehicles accommodating 7, 27, or 55 passengers are also available by advance reservation.
The hotel is approximately 2 minutes by car from the Saku Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway.
Free parking is available for approximately 60 regular vehicles and 5 large buses.
Saku Hotel offers a rare opportunity to stay at a place where more than six centuries of history remain part of everyday hospitality. From its origins in the Muromachi period and connections with historic figures to its traditional hot spring and local cuisine, the hotel provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of Saku.
For travelers exploring Saku and the wider Shinshu region, a stay at this long-established inn offers more than comfortable accommodation. It is an opportunity to relax in a historic hot spring, taste traditional local cuisine, and experience a sense of continuity stretching back more than 600 years.