An immersive stay

About Stay

Run by Yamanashi Meijo, the historic sake brewery behind Shichiken (est. 1750), esoto is a private heritage villa offering a private stay for just one group per night. Immerse yourself in Yamanashi’s pristine waters, master brewing, fine dining, and culture.

Overview & Stay Plans

All-Inclusive

For one group of up to four guests per night, complete private access to an entire heritage villa built in 1907. Includes dinner, local Hakushu sake, and many more carefully chosen experiences and amenities. Curated by a 300-year-old sake brewery, this experience is fully immersive and seamless from check-in to check-out.

Experience

To the source of water and sake

To further enrich your stay at esoto, we have prepared three experiences. Touch the spring water that shapes Shichiken's sake, walk its ancestral roots etched into the town, and discover the craftsmanship unique to Hakushu. It is an invitation to explore the stories behind each pour—to feel, see, and uncover the world of the brewery through your own senses.

1/3

Springs Tour

To the wellsprings of Shichiken Sake: Rice and Water

Deep in the embrace of Mount Kaikoma lies the natural spring that feeds every expression of Shichiken—the origin of it all. Here, where pure waters nourish the surrounding rice fields, we guide you to the very birthplace of a single glass of sake. Along the way, feel the quiet rhythm of Hakushu, where mountains, fields, and quiet shrines seamlessly weave together.

#01A Journey to the Water SourceRead more

Brewery Tour

Journey through three centuries of brewing

In addition to the Anzaisho, where Emperor Meiji once spent a night, guests will be taken on a private tour through the sake brewery and aged-sake cellar, areas normally closed off to the public. The ambient hum of traditional fermentation and the rich aroma of aged sake—here, the spirit of a 300-year-old brewery comes alive.

Area Tour

Into the Craftsmanship of Hakushu

Blessed with pristine mountain water, Hakushu is a region defined by craft—spanning not only master brewing, but fine confectionery, distilling, and pure spring water itself. From the legendary Japanese sweets of Kinseiken and seasonal farm harvests to alpine trails across the Southern Alps, the itinerary can be tailored to your interests.

Three Experience Plans

esoto offers three stay options, which can be tailored to your needs—whether you seek a quiet night of relaxation or an in-depth exploration of Hakushu. Select the stay that suits you best.

Room

The entire villa.

While preserving the original charm of this circa-1907 Meiji residence, the interior of esoto has been renovated to befit a more contemporary stay. Guests enjoy complete, private access to every space: living and dining areas, bedroom, traditional Japanese room, lounge, dual courtyard gardens, and a bath converted from a traditional kura (storehouse.)

Capacity: 4 guests (please enquire for more capacity)
Bedrooms: 2 rooms
2F bedroom: 2 double beds
1F Japanese room: Futons (prepared according to number of guests)

Leveraging the space of a complete private villa, the generous floor plan opens to a living area overlooking the courtyard, an exclusive private dining room, and a natural rock bath crafted within a renovated traditional storehouse. Light and lush green hues filter slowly through, the perfect mood lighting for a seamless pairing of seasonal Hakushu cuisine and Shichiken sake. Cool stone and soft shadows provide the perfect setting to unwind and leave daily life behind completely.

1/6

Dining & Sake

Gathering around the table of the land.

Dining at esoto is hosted in an exclusive room reserved solely for our guests. Here, locally raised ingredients and Shichiken sake come together in a harmony so effortless it feels completely natural to the moment. From the precise temperature of each course to the understated charm of antique tableware—curated primarily from the Meiji era onward—every detail is balanced with the pairing of sake. We invite you to savor it all at your own unhurried pace.

*Menu may vary depending on the season and available ingredients

Hatago Cuisine

Inheriting the spirit of hatago-style post town hospitality, esoto’s cuisine is an homage to time and place. Letting seasonal flavors lead through subtle preparation, the nature of Hakushu is captured in every dish.

Pairing Dinner

Pairing the seasonal bounty of our region with Shichiken’s premier sake lineup, led by our sparkling sake. Savor a moment of pure bliss as every delicate note folds seamlessly into the next.

1/4

Breakfast

Bathed in the gentle morning light of Hakushu, enjoy a breakfast thoughtfully prepared with the bounty of this land. White rice, miso soup, and local vegetables—a meticulously crafted meal that is the perfect finish to your restful stay at esoto.

1/2

Map

Walking Daigahara

Step outside esoto into Daigahara, a historic post town preserved in time. The Shichiken sake brewery, the Meiji Anzaisho, Kinseiken Japanese confectionery, and the trailhead to the Southern Alps—the best of Hakushu's subtle charms can all be found here within a 20-minute radius. The map marks recommended spots around esoto, categorized by walking distance and car accessibility.

Google Maps

Overview

Guidance for Your Stay

1/4

Facilities and Amenities

Bath: Stone Bath, Shower
Washroom & Bath items: Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, cleansing oil, face soap
Amenities: Bath towel, face towel, hair dryer, toothbrush & paste, comb, cotton, cotton swabs, tabi socks, body towel, razor, room wear
Climate Control: Air Conditioner, Electric Fan

Check-in / Check-out

Check-in: 15:00 (12:00 for the Premium Plan)
Check-out: 11:00

Dining

Menu: Content may vary by season and ingredient availability. Please be sure to inform us of any allergies or other dietary requirements when you book.

Cancellation Policy

The following cancellation fees will apply.

No-show without notice: 100% of the fee
Day of: 100% of the fee
Up to 2 days before: 80%
Up to 7 days before: 50%
Up to 14 days before: 30%
Up to 20 days before: 10%