Located in western Tokyo, Akiruno City is a verdant land where forests cover nearly 60% of its area. Among them, Akigawa Valley lies at the gateway to Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. Known as Tokyo’s last clear stream, it offers a striking natural landscape just an hour from the city center—a place where many come to reflect, recharge, and breathe deeply.

BO-SHA opened in May 2025 in the Fukasawa area, surrounded by forest near Akigawa Valley. Its concept, “Explore Tokyo’s Undiscovered Forests,” reflects the owner’s wish to share the slow passage of time found in this untouched corner of the metropolis. The house preserves its 150-year-old beams and pillars, paired with Scandinavian design to balance nostalgia with modern comfort. Once you check in, your private time in Tokyo’s forest begins.

BO-SHA was born from a farmhouse once used for sericulture. The owner, whose family practiced silkworm farming, grew up listening to the rhythmic sound of spinning thread. The inn’s name reflects the desire to weave connections—between people, nature, and the traditions of this land—and to carry them into the future.

Artworks from Maki Textile Studio, located about a 10-minute drive from BO-SHA, adorn the interiors. The textiles—handwoven from raw silk spun directly from silkworm cocoons and dyed with natural materials—connect beautifully with the inn’s history as a former silkworm-farming community. The studio’s fabrics are used for curtains and partitions, allowing guests to appreciate the textures and colors of traditional weaving throughout their stay. This also reflects the owner’s wish to “encourage guests to discover the charms of Akiruno City.”

Open the living room window and rest on the wooden deck overlooking the forest, surrounded by the scent of leaves and cedar. In the detached bathhouse, soak while admiring the changing colors of the trees. After your bath, let the cool air brush your skin as you relax on the deck. The main house also has a shower booth, so you can choose a bathing style to match your mood each day.

The area around BO-SHA is full of paths for gentle nature walks. The Great Twin Cedars, more than 300 years old and over 45 meters tall, and the Great Oak of Fukasawa, towering as if embracing the exposed limestone, are both remarkable sights.

Feel free to use the kitchen and tableware to prepare meals, but the owner also hopes guests will “experience the region more deeply” through food. Dinner reservations and transportation to nearby restaurants can be arranged upon request—just select the relevant additional option when booking.

L’Arbre, a hidden French restaurant housed in a 150-year-old building designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, is known for its courses featuring home-grown, pesticide-free vegetables and Tokyo-produced ingredients.

Kurochaya, a former village headman’s residence from about 300 years ago, offers charcoal-grilled dishes and mountain village cuisine.

At Wanmonoya Konoka, where even the building and furniture are crafted from Tokyo wood, you can enjoy seasonal vegetables from nearby farms in Akiruno City.

Begin your morning surrounded by nature, preparing your own breakfast using ingredients from Tokyo’s farms and producers. The menu includes sausages and bacon made from TOKYO X, a premium local pork brand, and freshly harvested Tokyo vegetables delivered straight from nearby growers. Bread is sourced from Compain, a bakery run by a French-trained artisan, and paired with homemade jam made from ripe seasonal fruit.

All ingredients are thoughtfully prepared and ready in the refrigerator upon your arrival, with a handy item list provided for reference.

Since ancient times, the Japanese have lived in harmony with nature—satoyama, the borderland between village and mountain, is a symbol of that relationship.

This special collaboration with Tokyo Urayama Base, a local activity and tour operator in the Akigawa Valley, offers an optional private nature and history tour. Explore mountain villages, ancient roads, and historic shrines and temples while learning how people once lived side by side with the land.

Visit the Kobayashi Residence, a historic mountaintop home; Hossawa Falls, chosen as one of Japan’s 100 best waterfalls; Kanoto Rock, a natural monument where cliffs rise nearly 100 meters on both sides; Kotoku-ji Temple, founded in 1373; and Akiru Shrine, with roots dating back to the Heian period (794–1185). Enjoy a local lunch at Kurochaya or another nearby restaurant.

This is a sample itinerary for the optional tour. This tour is entirely private, so you can request particular spots and create a custom itinerary. Choose between a 3-hour or 6-hour tour to fit your schedule.

*Admission fees and meal costs during the tour are not included in the price.

Akiruno City, home to BO-SHA, lies in the Okutama mountain region of western Tokyo. It’s an area imbued with a sense of history, with ruins from the Jomon period, a time when people lived in small, hunter-gatherer communities, and records of Akiruno Shrine dating back to the Heian era. For centuries, people have lived here in close connection with the forests and rivers that sustain them.

Spend a few days in this landscape, counting the stars, walking among the trees, listening to the river, and tasting the flavors of the land. It’s a journey that reconnects you to the long history between nature and humanity.