Satoyama Jujo

Niigata, famous for its rice, sake, textiles, mountains and clean water, is an antidote to busy city life. Satoyama Jujo is a concept hotel embodying the stories Niigata has to tell—in fact, the name itself means “10 stories of a mountain village.” The reception is a refurbished 150-year-old house, and its 13 rooms are bright and airy with views of the mountains and forest.

Each room is different, but all reflect a core design philosophy that embraces natural materials and fits seamlessly with the surrounding nature. The kitchen forages the nearby mountains and partners with local farmers and fishermen to bring the best of Niigata to the table. The rooms and communal spaces are filled with art that spurs contemplation, and the open-air hot spring baths give an uninterrupted view of Mt. Makihata during daylight, and the vast Milky Way at night.