Aoneko Guesthouse : Stylish Comfort, Just Down the Street from Everything!
Once a local sake brewery, the elegant old buildings of Himikokura have been transformed and stylishly renovated in recent years, becoming comfortable spaces for guests visiting Miyoshi to eat, sleep, and lounge, right in the middle of the city. For accommodations, Himikokura’s Aoneko Guesthouse is a cozy building with lots of character. The traditional space was decorated by owner Suzumi Utsubo with flair and a touch of whimsy (Aoneko means blue cat, after all), and outfitted with hospitality in mind, including convenient amenities kept impeccably clean. The guesthouse is just steps away from Miyoshi’s most popular sightseeing destinations, and thanks to the neighboring restaurant Mansabou, the food at this bed and breakfast is fresh, local, and delicious!
Aoneko is constructed inside a traditional Japanese house, next door to the brewery’s old factory building, and guests staying the night get to experience what it might be like to have their own little Japanese vacation home. The upstairs is made up of four colorful guest rooms that sleep one or two people each, all named with a poetic touch. “Westering Sun, Eastering Moon” is a room for one with a Western-style bed, while “Decade,” “Century,” and the golden-wallpapered “Millenium” are three Japanese-style rooms with tatami mat floors and traditional Japanese futon mattresses. On the shelves, guests looking for a little bedtime reading will actually find a manga written by Utsubo’s husband, who made sure to include Miyoshi’s nearby Dasai Shrine in the story!
Downstairs, guests will feel the warm Miyoshi hospitality as soon as they enter the Japanese-style living room, thanks to the welcoming hand-written notes that Utsubo leaves on the low table. The comfortable room has tall doors that open out onto a view of the stony courtyard, and can be transformed into an additional guest room at night for larger groups that need space for another 2~4 people. The rest of the first floor is taken up by a retro Japanese bathroom, complete with a deep tub perfect for soaking, and an extremely practical, sleekly appointed kitchen, ideal for whipping up a midnight snack.
Most guests at Aoneko probably don’t feel the need to cook much, though, because Mansabou―the restaurant just across the courtyard―offers guests delicious options for both breakfast and dinner (and even lunch, for those inclined). Suzumi Utsubo and her husband plan and prepare each multi-course meal specially for that day’s guests, not only taking into account each customer’s food preferences, but also the group’s plans for the day. Ingredients are locally-grown, which means Mansabou’s dishes are incredibly fresh and seasonal, with a balance of flavors and textures. The one dish that shows up most days is their popular sesame tofu, made right there at Mansabou.
While it might be tempting for guests to lounge around in Aoneko’s living room all day, the guesthouse’s convenient location makes it incredibly easy to get out there for some sightseeing, too. Follow the stone-paved street across the courtyard, and just a few blocks south it turns into Miyoshi’s historic Hondori shopping street, leading the way to the Tsujimura Doll Museum and Shorimbo Temple, along with a collection of bustling shops and cafes. Turning north, the same street leads straight to Dasai Shrine, and to the west, the popular Miyoshi Mononoke Museum is less than five minutes away on foot. For travelers who want to immerse themselves in the heart of Miyoshi, Aoneko is a great choice for a comfortable stay.
Information
Title | Himikokura Aoneko Guesthouse (卑弥呼蔵 青猫 <寝床と学び舎>) |
Address | Himikokura, 1143-3 Miyoshimachi, Miyoshi |
Website | http://himikokura.net/ |
Prices | room with no meals: 5,500 yen per person / room with dinner and breakfast: 12,000 yen per person and up |
Hours | check-in 14:00 / check-out 12:00 / Mansabou open weekends 11:00 - 18:00, other days reservation only |
Phone Number | 0824-63-1713 |
E-Mail Address | himikokura@gmail.com |