Satoyama Jujo
Artful eco-ryokan meets design hotel. Think tatami floors and Hans Wegner vintage sofas in the same room. Traditional lacquered zelkova woodwork alongside Eames aluminum chairs and Artemide lamps. Serious about sustainability, foraging, organic cuisine, and local culture without being preachy about any of it.
Room 301 is consistently cited as the best mountain-view room, with a vaulted ceiling and the widest window
Why It Matters
The only hotel in Japan's snowiest region combining a Michelin-starred restaurant (Sanaburi, 1 star), a Gault & Millau 3-toque kitchen, an open-air onsen ranked Japan's best view from a hot spring bath, and 13 individually designed rooms each curated with designer furniture. It's a concept hotel first, luxury ryokan second.
Satoyama Jujo is a 13-room boutique ryokan in the Minami-uonuma region of Niigata, built around a 150-year-old renovated kominka farmhouse that doubles as the reception hall. The name literally means '10 stories of the mountain village' — and that's exactly the concept: food, architecture, textiles, agriculture, environment, art, outdoors, relaxation, health, and gathering, all woven into a single stay. It's adults-only (12+), eco-conscious to its core, and run by the team behind lifestyle magazine Jiyujin.
Where You'll Stay
13 room types available
101 Deluxe Twin Cottage with Spa-bath
A separate cottage in the renovated stone storehouse at the main entrance. Detached from the main guest wing, so you won't hear other guests. Solid Mikawa cedar floors, a loft sleeping area, and a spa-bath that's roomier than the main building's. Furnished with Kai Kristiansen's Paper Knife pieces from Miyazaki Chair Factory and an Arne Jacobsen AJ floor lamp.
2 semi-double beds (W120cm), Sealy bases / latex mattresses / French white down · 46 sqm201 Grand Maisonette with Open-air Bath
The largest room in the main building at 84 sqm. A two-story corner maisonette with living room and cypress onsen bath on the ground floor, bedroom upstairs. Vintage 1960s Hans J. Wegner GE 290 sofas, Japanese cypress walls and tatami floors upstairs. Both floors have large windows framing Mt. Makihata. Can sleep up to 4 with extra beds.
2 semi-double beds (W120cm), Francebed bases / latex mattresses / French white down · 84 sqm202 Maisonette with Open-air Bath
Same two-floor maisonette layout as 201 but not a corner room — slightly less dramatic views, still fully mountain-facing. Decorated with art by Art Director Shun Kawakami. Barcelona chairs by Mies van der Rohe downstairs, black walnut walls and maple floors. One of the most-requested rooms by repeat visitors.
Sealy bases / latex mattresses / French white down · 84 sqm203 Tatami Twin with Open-air Bath
The smallest mountain-view room, but it punches above its size. Tatami mat floors, Japanese cypress paneling, and a private cypress spa-bath on the terrace. Staff describe it as 'small but necessary and sufficient.' Furnished by Michele De Lucchi, Makoto Koizumi, and Piero Lissoni. Note: rooms above can transmit footstep noise.
2 semi-double beds (W120cm), Sealy bases / latex mattresses / French white down · 36 sqm204 Corner Suite with Open-air Bath
Designed by architect Kei Kaihoh, divided into three zones: bedroom, living room, and outdoor sitting room. The style nods to Makoto Masuzawa's minimalist tradition. Japanese cypress floors, oil-finished basswood paneling. Fully furnished with Margaret Howell's Ercol collection. Feels considered and spare in the best possible way.
2 semi-double beds (W120cm), Sealy bases / latex mattresses / French white down · 49.5 sqm205 Corner Family Suite with Open-air Bath
The only room where guests with children (ages 12+) are permitted. Three single beds plus space for one extra bed. Forest-view corner room with solid chestnut flooring, paulownia paneling, and a zelkova countertop. Eames aluminum chairs. A private cypress open-air bath on the terrace.
3 single beds (W100cm), expandable to 4 · 52 sqm206 Creator's Twin
Built for the working retreat crowd. Large basswood laminate desk (180cm wide) faces a forest-view window. Modular bathroom (the only room type with this configuration). Cassina leather rocking chair and Eames aluminum chair. No open-air bath in the room, but the communal Amanogawa onsen is steps away.
2 single beds (W100cm), Sealy bases / latex mattresses / French white down · 35 sqm207 Creator's Twin
The smallest room in the property at 30 sqm, and one of the best-value entries. Forest view, large desk, Eames aluminum chair, and a no-frills modular bathroom. No private open-air bath. Honest option for solo travelers booking a twin or couples who just need a comfortable, well-designed base.
2 single beds (W100cm), French white down · 30 sqm301 Tatami Twin with Open-air Bath
The most popular room in the house. Third floor, vaulted open ceiling, expansive windows facing Mt. Makihata — said to have the best mountain view alongside Room 202. Cypress paneling, tatami floors, private terrace with cypress open-air bath. Sunrise over the mountains from here is something else. No elevator to reach it, but worth the climb.
2 semi-double beds (W120cm), Sealy bases / French white down · 40 sqm302 Corner Twin with Open-air Bath
A room designed entirely by students from Musashino Art University's Interior Design Lab — the alma mater of Creative Director Toru Iwasa. Carpeted floor, open ceiling, mountain views of both the Gunma and Nagano border ranges. Spacious balcony and private cypress spa-bath. Third floor.
Originally made single beds (W100cm x 2), latex mattresses / French white down · 40 sqm303 Corner Suite with Open-air Bath
Designed with creators and working couples in mind. A zelkova laminate desk faces a north-facing forest window for stable, glare-free light. Living and sleeping zones are gently partitioned. A vintage Hans Wegner GE-258 daybed for breaks. Third floor, forest-view, private cypress bath on the terrace.
2 semi-double beds (W120cm), Sealy bases / latex mattresses / French white down · 50 sqm304 Tatami Triple
Spacious tatami room for a group of three (four with extra bed). Forest-view, third floor. No private open-air bath — access to the communal Amanogawa onsen instead. Furnished with Denis Santachiara Tatone chairs and a mix of Italian and Japanese design pieces. A good pick for friends traveling together.
3 single beds (W100cm), expandable to 4 · 40 sqm305 Tatami Twin
Traditional tatami floor with modern Sealy beds and Italian Tatone chairs — a deliberate old-meets-new experiment. Forest view, third floor. No private open-air bath. Vintage 1970s Westnofa table. A solid option for those who want the tatami texture and aroma without committing to sleeping on the floor.
2 semi-double beds (W120cm), Sealy beds / French white down · 40 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The world's largest outdoor art festival venue is a 2-minute drive from the hotel. The hotel has close ties to the event.
Regular art lectures, exhibits, and events held in the lounge and communal spaces throughout the year, organized under the property's Satoyama Art Project initiative. Works by artists Shun Kawakami, Ryuichi Ohira, and Kanzo Shibata are displayed throughout the property.
A short daily walking tour around the grounds led by staff to identify and learn about the edible plants growing wild on the property. In season, up to 20 different species can be found along the paths alone. A direct window into what ends up on your plate that night at Sanaburi.
Bike routes along terraced rice paddies and through the mountain terrain. Rentals available.
Access to trails through beech forests and along terraced rice paddies across three mountain ranges. Stunning autumn foliage mid-October to November.
Staff can arrange visits to local sake breweries and natural wineries including Femier and Domaine Chaud, both of which supply the hotel's restaurant.
Access to multiple nearby ski resorts including Gala Yuzawa, Kagura, and Naeba — all within the Uonuma region. The hotel can arrange transportation. Equipment rentals available locally.
Guided snowshoe treks through the snow-covered mountain landscape. Equipment rental available through the hotel.
Seasonal tour of the on-site snow storage hut (natural refrigerator) and fermenting/pickling facilities that supply the kitchen. Shows guests how some of their dinner's ingredients may have been in preparation for six months.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The building is three floors with no elevator. The onsen is on the second floor and the restaurant is on the first floor of the Reception Hall.
Complimentary self-service bar in the library lounge available throughout the day. Free-flow whisky (Macallan and Bowmore), beer, coffee, tea, and light snacks.
On-site shop selling designer furniture (including pieces from the rooms), tableware, local foodstuffs, and rice. Open 9:30–19:00 for guests; 11:00–17:00 weekends/holidays for day visitors. Consultations with Creative Director Toru Iwasa available by arrangement.
Refrigerator with complimentary beer, tea, and water; electric kettle; tea set; towel warmer; oil heater; hair dryer; flat-screen TV; safe; flashlight; alarm clock. Eco-friendly organic cotton towels and eco soaps/shampoos.
Once-daily courtesy car pickup from Osawa Station at 14:30. Flat-rate taxi from Echigo-Yuzawa Station available at ¥4,000 (¥5,000 December–March).
Natural sodium chloride / bicarbonate hot spring with views of Mt. Makihata. Ranked Japan's best view from an outdoor bath (2014). Open to all guests.
No swimming pool or fitness center on property. The outdoor onsen and mountain activities serve as the wellness offering.
BUILD YOUR SATOYAMA JUJO PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning