[1 Night] Stay in the Historic District of Mitarai in a Private Inn with Views of the Seto Inland Sea

Visit Mitarai, a Historic Port Town on an Island in the Seto Inland Sea 

Offering calmer waters and shorter travel times from east to west, the Seto Inland Sea was historically home to many of Japan’s busiest shipping routes for trade goods and travelers. This naturally led to the development of port towns on many of the Inland Sea’s islands to provide lodging, supplies, food and entertainment to sailors and traders. The small port town of Mitarai on the island of Osaki-Shimojima possesses a rare townscape of historic buildings that offer a glimpse into the region’s fascinating history of trade, turmoil, and personal stories handed down through generations.

Mitarai retains a strong sense of its past as a vibrant port town with historic buildings lining cobblestone streets

Exploring the cobblestone streets of Mitarai will lead you past rows of historic buildings, many of them townhouses and merchant houses that date back to the town’s heyday in the Edo period (1603-1868). Other buildings in Mitarai’s historic district were built in the 19th and early 20th century, providing a varied picture of the town’s development over time. This neighborhood of the city was officially designated a Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings in 1994 and a Japan Heritage Site in 2018.

Relax in Mitarai, where time has long been governed by the rhythms of the winds and the tides

The backdrop to this historic townscape is the dazzling blue of the Seto Inland Sea and the boundless skies above. As you walk the cobblestone streets past latticed doors and walls adorned with flowers, the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore is never far away. This is a place where history and nature are alive and well.

Stay in a Private Inn with Over 150 Years of History in Mitarai

Nestled in among the many historic buildings along the streets of Mitarai is Kangetsu-an Shintoyo. Originally constructed in the late Edo period, the building operated as a traditional inn for many decades, continuing to welcome guests until the 1930s. Renovated in recent years, Kangetsu-an Shintoyo offers you the opportunity to stay right in the heart of the town’s historic district, sharing an experience with all those travelers who came to Mitarai so many years ago. And because the inn only accepts one group per day, you will have it all to yourself. Kangetsu-an Shintoyo was also featured as a filming location in Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Academy Award–winning film *Drive My Car* (winner of Best International Feature Film, 2022), adding a cinematic layer to your stay.

Built over 150 years ago, Kangetsu-an remains an integral part of Mitarai’s historic townscape

The building itself retains much of its original design, including wooden pillars and beams as well as lattice doors typical of the region’s traditional architecture. Viewed through the antique glass of the inn’s windows, the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and the blue of water and sky seem to waver and bend depending on the light. You may wonder for a moment whether the view is real or the product of an artist’s paintbrush.

You may wonder for a moment whether the view from your room is real or the product of an artist’s paintbrush

Relax in Style and Comfort with the Ambience of a Traditional Japanese Inn

The interior of Kangetsu-an Shintoyo has been meticulously renovated to ensure that guests can relax in style and comfort. Both spacious bedrooms retain a traditional Japanese aesthetic while providing king-size and queen-size Western-style beds so that you can get a comfortable night’s sleep. Modern Western-style bedding is also provided.

The interior of Kangetsu-an combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts

Savor Delicious Meals Drawn from the Bounty of the Seto Inland Sea

Meals served at Kangetsu-an Shintoyo feature an abundance of unique local ingredients that can only be found in and around the Seto Inland Sea. Seafood is sourced directly from local fishermen, while the selection of local fruits and vegetables varies with the seasons to ensure that everything is fresh and ripe. As you will be the only ones staying at the property, meals will be prepared right in front of you by your own personal chef, allowing you to appreciate the skill and artistry involved in each dish. Accommodations can be made to suit each guest’s preferences in terms of ingredients, portions, and pacing.

The dishes served at Kangetsu-an Shintoyo are made using a variety of local seasonal ingredients

Mealtimes at Kangetsu-an Shitoyo provide you with time to reflect and relax, savoring the flavors of the region’s finest ingredients as you contemplate where you are and where you’ve been. In recognition of these precious moments, guests are given exclusive access to local sake, complimentary Hiroshima whiskey and craft gin, and special seasonal menus. 

Savor the harmony of seasonal ingredients and refined presentation (Image for illustrative purposes)

Take a Walking Tour of Mitarai to Experience the Town’s Legacy of Culture and Craftsmanship

Your host at Kangetsu-an Shintoyo, owner Akira Inoue, will give you a special 90-minute private walking tour around the town of Mitarai after breakfast on your second day. Inoue began as a volunteer guide in Mitarai before going on to renovate eight vacant buildings and develop several local businesses. His in-depth tour will not only teach you about the unique local history and culture of the town but also emphasize the island’s relaxed pace of life, far removed from the ever-moving, ever-changing modern urban world. 

Daito-ji Temple in Mitarai has exquisite wooden carvings

The first main stop on your tour will be the temple of Daito-ji. Founded in 1735 with its current main hall built in 1856, Daito-ji possesses a particularly exquisite set of wooden carvings that were fashioned from a single zelkova tree by a craftsman from Kyoto. In the temple courtyard, a large camphor tree stands, holding silent vigil as it has for 300 years.

The former residence of the Kaneko family has a quiet tearoom that once witnessed the signing of an important treaty

Your tour will take you next to the former residence of the Kaneko family, a wealthy merchant family that was influential in the town of Mitarai throughout much of the 19th century. Built in 1823, the residence includes an elegant tea room that was originally constructed in Kyoto before being taken apart and shipped to Mitarai where it was reassembled inside the residence. This tea room was the site of several important political meetings, including the signing of the Mitarai Treaty in 1867 between military commanders from Choshu (present-day Yamaguchi) and Hiroshima.

Shinko Clock Shop has kept Mitarai on time since the late 19th century

Shinko Clock Shop will be the last stop on your tour of Mitarai. Founded in the mid-1700s as a store dealing in rice and other general trade goods, the shop began selling clocks and watches in the latter part of the 19th century to respond to the growing need within this busy port town to keep accurate time. Inside the current building, which dates back to 1919, the fifth-generation owner continues to sell clocks and watches, as well as repairing these precious instruments with the delicate touch of a master craftsman. Inside the shop, you will find a large American-made grandfather clock, which is over 100 years old.

Explore a Town Where History is Revered but Time Refuses to Stand Still

While the older buildings of Mitarai do preserve a historic townscape that is rare and special, the town itself is no mere museum. While this small port town did at times play its role in key turning points in Japan’s modern history, the true spirit of this place is best found within the everyday lives of its residents. As you walk the streets here, speaking with local people, you will begin to feel a sense of living history in Mitarai, enduring through the town’s unique local identity and culture.

Mitarai played a role with Japan’s modern political history, but the true spirit of its local culture can be found within the everyday lives of its people