NIHON IRO

About NIHON IRO

Located in the seaside town of Mochimune in Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City, NIHON IRO is a unique accommodation experience that has transformed historic traditional Japanese houses into private, whole-house rentals scattered throughout the neighborhood. After checking in, guests can begin their stay as if they were living in their own “home away from home.”

Mochimune is conveniently located just about 10 minutes by train from Shizuoka Station, yet it retains the atmosphere of a traditional fishing town. The harbor, known for its shirasu (whitebait) fishing, is lined with fishing boats, while narrow streets are dotted with traditional houses, small local shops, and restaurants run by residents. Rather than being a town designed solely for tourism, Mochimune offers visitors the chance to experience everyday life in a real Japanese community—and this is perhaps NIHON IRO’s greatest appeal.

NIHON IRO was created as part of a community revitalization project led by CSA Real Estate, a company involved in community development in Shizuoka City. Rather than simply turning old houses into accommodation, the project is based on the concept of “turning the entire town into a hotel.” By preserving historic buildings and making use of them in new ways, the initiative aims to connect the area’s local economy and cultural heritage with the future.

For this reason, the experience extends far beyond the guest rooms. Guests can take a stroll around the harbor, visit local restaurants, or watch the fishing port come to life in the morning. The entire town becomes part of the journey. Instead of a stay confined to a hotel, NIHON IRO offers the unique experience of living at the pace of Mochimune—as though you were a local resident.

There are currently 10 individual houses available, each featuring its own concept and design. Original beams and pillars have been preserved to retain the character of the traditional houses, while modern amenities provide a comfortable stay. The accommodations are popular with families and groups of friends, as well as couples and guests looking for a relaxing workation.

For international travelers, NIHON IRO offers a rare opportunity to experience everyday life in a Japanese fishing town while staying in a traditional kominka (old Japanese house). It is an ideal choice for those who want to go beyond the typical sightseeing experience and discover a more authentic side of Japan.

Dining

In keeping with NIHON IRO’s concept of “living in a seaside town,” dining is not limited to a set menu served at a designated restaurant. Instead, guests are free to choose how they would like to enjoy their meals, depending on their mood and style of travel each day.

A Breakfast Inspired by Life in Mochimune

For breakfast, a local “omotenashi mom”—a warm and welcoming woman who knows the Mochimune community inside and out—visits the property and prepares a freshly made breakfast in the guest house.

The menu features ingredients unique to this fishing town, including fresh shirasu (whitebait), locally caught fish, and dried fish sourced from nearby specialty shops. Steamed rice, miso soup, and small dishes made with local vegetables complete the traditional Japanese-style breakfast. With its comforting, home-cooked feel, it offers a special experience that is different from the formal atmosphere of a traditional ryokan.

Because the breakfast is prepared right in front of you, conversations with local residents naturally arise. It becomes more than simply a meal—it is an opportunity to connect with the people and culture of Mochimune.

A Flexible Approach to Dinner

Dinner can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, allowing guests to choose an experience that suits their travel style.

One of the most popular options is charcoal grilling using the irori (traditional Japanese hearth) or shichirin (small charcoal grill) available at each house. Staff deliver the lit charcoal, so guests can enjoy grilling local specialties themselves without having to worry about complicated preparations. Shirasu, fresh seafood, and dried fish purchased locally can all be cooked over the charcoal. The enticing aroma of the grill, combined with the cozy atmosphere of the traditional house, creates an especially memorable dining experience.

On select days, NIHON IRO also offers a special plan limited to one group per day, in which a chef visits the guest house and prepares a full Italian course meal. Enjoying authentic Italian cuisine in the traditional Japanese setting of a renovated old house makes for a truly unique NIHON IRO experience.

Guests can also explore Minato Yokocho, a collection of popular local restaurants around the harbor, where they can enjoy fresh seafood and Shizuoka specialties. For those who prefer to dine in the comfort of their own guest house, Shizuoka-style oden can also be ordered through room service.

Rather than having a fixed course meal decided by the hotel, NIHON IRO gives guests the freedom to create their own dining experience according to their mood and travel style. This flexibility is another part of what makes staying at NIHON IRO feel less like staying at a hotel and more like living in Mochimune.

Onsen

Guests staying at NIHON IRO can enjoy unlimited free access to its affiliated facility, Mochimune Minato Onsen, throughout their stay.

The onsen is a unique facility housed in a renovated building that was once used as a tuna processing plant. Its design makes the most of the area’s distinctive seaside atmosphere, allowing the facility to blend naturally into the surrounding fishing port landscape.

The baths are fed by a natural hot spring sourced from beneath the property. The mildly alkaline water is known locally as a “beauty bath” (bihada no yu) and is gentle on the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and moisturized after bathing.

On clear days, guests can enjoy views of Mt. Fuji from the open-air bath while soaking in the water and taking in the expansive scenery unique to a seaside town. The facility also features a far-infrared sauna and a cold-water bath filled with natural underground water, making it a popular destination for sauna enthusiasts as well. There is no need to worry about making the most of your time—you can visit the onsen as many times as you like during your stay.

Mochimune Minato Onsen is about a seven-minute walk from the guest houses, but complimentary tuk-tuk transportation is also available. Riding through the narrow streets of the fishing town with the sea breeze around you can be a memorable part of the experience itself.

Rooms

All of NIHON IRO’s accommodations are private, whole-house rentals housed in traditional Japanese houses scattered throughout the seaside town of Mochimune. In a sense, the guest houses are not simply located in the town—they are part of the town itself.

Currently, 10 houses are available, each with its own unique character: Chigusa, Rindo, Seiran, Nadeshiko, Kohaku, Tsukishiro, Konparu, Remon, Kurumi, and Hisui. Because the layout, design, and amenities vary from house to house, returning guests can enjoy a completely different experience each time they visit.

The houses have been thoughtfully renovated with contemporary design while preserving the thick wooden beams, traditional pillars, and natural warmth of the original buildings. Although the historic character of each house remains intact, modern conveniences such as bathrooms, bedding, and air-conditioning have been carefully upgraded with comfort in mind. Even guests staying in a traditional Japanese house for the first time can enjoy a comfortable and relaxing stay.

With the exception of Tsukishiro, Konparu, Remon, Kurumi, and Hisui, each house features a private hinoki cypress bath where guests can enjoy a peaceful bathing experience in their own space. Many of the houses also include kitchens and dining areas, allowing guests to prepare meals using ingredients purchased at the local market or neighborhood shops. These features make the accommodations well suited to longer stays and workations, allowing guests to truly experience NIHON IRO’s concept of “staying as if you live here.”

Some houses are also equipped with projectors that can be used as large screens, making it possible to enjoy movies and streaming content. Even while traveling, the spaces are designed to feel as comfortable and relaxing as your own living room.

Several houses, including Seiran, Tsukishiro, Konparu, and Hisui, are also pet-friendly. Guests can explore the fishing town with their dogs, take walks along the seaside, and enjoy a special getaway with their beloved four-legged family members.

NIHON IRO also offers accommodations designed to meet a variety of needs, including Remon, which features universal design elements with accessibility in mind. Whether you are traveling with family, friends, a partner, a pet, or staying for an extended period, there is a house designed to help you feel at home in Mochimune.

Special Experience

The greatest appeal of NIHON IRO is that your experience does not end at the accommodation. Step outside your guest house and you will find the everyday life of a traditional Japanese fishing town unfolding around you. Here, the entire neighborhood becomes part of your journey.

One of NIHON IRO’s most popular services is its complimentary tuk-tuk transportation.

In addition to transfers to and from JR Mochimune Station, the tuk-tuk can be used to travel to Mochimune Minato Onsen and other nearby facilities. Riding through the town’s narrow streets in this open-air vehicle can almost feel like being transported to a resort somewhere overseas. It is also a fun way to discover parts of the town that you might otherwise miss on foot, and is a favorite experience among guests.

In the early morning, more than 50 shirasu fishing boats can be seen departing from Mochimune Port all at once. This is not a staged event created for tourists, but a glimpse into the everyday life of the local community. The bustle of fishermen at work, the sea breeze, and the sounds of boats create an atmosphere that can only be experienced in the morning at a working fishing port.

Guests can also take part in experience programs such as fishing boat cruises, offering an opportunity to get even closer to the sea of Mochimune. Out on the water, you can enjoy views of Mt. Fuji while listening to stories from local fishermen.

Mochimune Minato Onsen is also home to West Coast Brewing (WCB), one of Shizuoka’s leading craft breweries. Using groundwater from Mochimune, the brewery produces craft beer that has earned high praise both in Japan and overseas, making it a must-visit destination for beer lovers.

Despite its convenient location within easy reach of central Shizuoka City, NIHON IRO offers guests the chance to slow down and experience the relaxed pace of life in a traditional fishing town. It is an excellent choice not only for families and couples, but also for international travelers looking to experience Japanese culture on a deeper level.

This is a different kind of journey—neither a traditional ryokan stay nor a conventional hotel experience, but an opportunity to live like a local in a Japanese seaside town. The unique rhythm and atmosphere of Mochimune found at NIHON IRO can make your trip to Shizuoka truly unforgettable.

Plan List

Access

HUT PARK Mochimune 1F, 4-20-12 Mochimune, Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 421-0122, Japan

By Car

From Tokyo:
Take the Tomei Expressway and exit at the Shizuoka Interchange. From there, it takes approximately 15 minutes via National Route 150 and other local roads.

From the Kansai area:
Take the Meishin or Shin-Meishin Expressway and connect to the Tomei Expressway. Exit at the Yaizu Interchange, then take National Route 150 and other local roads. The drive takes approximately 20 minutes.

By Public Transportation

From Tokyo:
Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Shizuoka Station, then transfer to the JR Tokaido Main Line. Get off at Mochimune Station, which is approximately a 12-minute walk from NIHON IRO.

From the Kansai area:
Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Shizuoka Station (or Kakegawa Station), then transfer to the JR Tokaido Main Line. Get off at Mochimune Station, approximately a 12-minute walk from NIHON IRO.

Basic Information

Frequently Asked Questions