This time, I’d like to introduce a stay at a traditional inn in Tokamachi, Niigata—the 150-year-old kominka “Yukino-ya Furusawa-tei,” which I visited in late July, right in the height of summer. Revived through the passion of its host, Mr. Ibi, and his ties with the local community, this house offers a chance to experience what it truly means to “travel as if living there.” My stay began with an early-morning trek to match the summer heat, followed by a quiet evening at the inn, and continued into the next day with a morning walk and breakfast. In this article, I’ll share that flow of a day just as I experienced it. 1. A Trekking Adventure That Begins with a Word in the Early Morning “It’s going to be hot today, so let’s head out before seven.”That single phrase woke me up. It was midsummer in Tokamachi, Niigata. Before settling into the old kominka inn, Yukino-ya, we set out on foot to get a feel for the land. “Let’s go at a comfortable pace.” Hearing those words eased my s … 続きを読む [Tokamachi] 150-Year-Old Traditional House Yukinoya-Furusawa Traditional Stay & Stunning Rice Terraces