A bookstore you can stay in? "Matsumoto Jujo" - The former inn's large public bath has become a bookshelf!

I found another one!
The bookstore you can stay in, "Matsumoto Jujo."

I've been visiting "places you can stay in," such as museums you can stay in, parks you can stay in, and TV towers you can stay in, but this time it's "Matsumoto Jujo" in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture.

Recently, we've been seeing many hotels renovated from old inns and traditional folk houses, but the predecessor to "Matsumoto Jujo" was actually an inn founded in the Edo period.

What's more, it's unique because it's a book hotel.
And the sight of what used to be a large public bath turned into a bookshelf was amazing!
I went with a friend who loves reading.

⭐ A private-sector regional revitalization project: "Matsumoto Jujo"

"Matsumoto Jujo" is an inn that opened as a revitalization project for "Koyanagi," a long-established inn founded in Asama Onsen in 1686 (the 3rd year of Jokyo) during the Edo period.

Asama Onsen, located near the beautiful "Jet-Black Castle" Matsumoto Castle, is a "beauty bath" with alkaline simple hot springs that make your skin smooth.

By the way, Matsumoto Castle, built in 1504, is a national treasure.
It is said that there are only five castles in the country with a national treasure-designated keep.
(Matsumoto Castle, Himeji Castle, Inuyama Castle, Hikone Castle, Matsue Castle)

Still, 338 years since its founding!?
Wow!

In July 2022, it was renovated into two hotels and had its grand opening.

The story of its opening is wonderful.

Asama Onsen is one of the many hot spring towns across the country that have lost their vitality.

While public funds are generally invested in the revitalization of local cities, the current president who took on the revitalization of "Koyanagi" in 2018 started a challenge asking, "What can we do as a private company?"

In other words, the revitalization of "Koyanagi" is attracting attention as:

✅ "A regional revitalization project by a private business operator"
✅ "A project by a small and medium-sized enterprise"

It is said that it had many problems, such as:

・A huge capacity despite having no parking lot
・A building full of stairs and steps

⭐ Check-in with "Oyaki and Coffee"

Check-in is at the retro cafe "Oyaki and Coffee" next to the parking lot.

This is also a cafe renovated from a traditional folk house.
"Oh, the oyaki look delicious!"
I thought, and with a glance at the oyaki on the counter, I was guided to the second floor.

The interior has such a historic feel.

It is a 3-minute walk from this cafe, which has a parking lot, to the hotel up the hill.
If you leave your luggage here, they will carry it to your room for you.

So even though the parking lot is a bit far, they make sure you don't have to carry your luggage up the hill!

I was thinking how nice an oyaki would be, and then I found out I could have one!
Yay!

I could choose between a sweet one and a savory one, so I chose the savory Nozawana oyaki, which I don't often get the chance to eat.

This also serves as the hotel reception, so I listened to the explanation of the facilities and checked in.
Still, the earthen walls are just so retro!

⭐ 'Matsumoto Honbako' Adult Bookshelf & Children's Bookshelf

On the left is 'Matsumoto Honbako', on the right is 'HOTEL Koyanagi', and in the middle is a hot spring called 'Koyanagi no Yu'.

My friend and I stayed at the book hotel 'Matsumoto Honbako'.
'Koyanagi' is a hot spring hotel that welcomes babies and kids.

From the lobby, 'Matsumoto Honbako' is already full of bookshelf vibes.

It's great that local beer, whiskey, and gin are lined up at the counter, and you can drink coffee and other beverages freely.

The main purpose of coming here is the 'bookstore you can stay in'.

Before going to our room, we aimed for a quiet time to head to the 'Book store Matsumoto Honbako' area first.

It is available 24 hours a day for guests, and open to the general public from 12:00 to 17:00 by reservation only.

There are five areas: 'Book Path', 'Gensen Honbako', 'Adult Bookshelf', 'Children's Bookshelf', and '367'.

First, the 'Book Path'.

The books here are free to browse and can also be purchased.
This area is the 'Gensen Honbako'.

There are an 'Adult Bookshelf' and a 'Children's Bookshelf', both of which used to be the inn's large public baths.

🔶 The spectacular view of the 'Adult Bookshelf'!

The tiled platform in the middle of what must have been the changing room is so retro!

When you go through the noren curtain and enter...
What a spectacular view!
The ceiling is a mirror, and the reflection makes it look so impressive!

A large bath and a small bathtub in the front.
And there is no one here!
The best!

There are clear remnants of the large public bath, and the water taps are still there.
Here, there are books and photo collections for adults.

Since Obuse Town in Nagano is where Katsushika Hokusai spent his later years, there were also photo collections of Hokusai's ukiyo-e prints, so I picked one up.

In front of the 'Adult Bookshelf,' the old washbasin is still there!

Behind the bookshelves, there are plenty of cozy nooks!

I can't decide which one to choose!♪

After taking a hot spring bath, it's time to read in a yukata!♪
I finished reading one volume of the manga version of 'How Do You Live?'

If you go at night, there is also a drink service, and I had some amazake!♪

🔶 The 'Children's Bookshelf' bookshelf maze and ball pit

I went down the stairs to the 'Children's Bookshelf'.

Wow!
The place that used to be a bathtub is now a ball pit!

The lights are Keroyon washbasins!
So cute!

There are lots of children's books like picture books!
The faucets and mirrors are also still there.

It's like a maze partitioned by bookshelves, and it feels like a treasure hunt to find your favorite book!

Anyway, I had a really great time!

I posted a video on Instagram.

Previously, when I sent a URL to a friend for a post I wanted to share, they could see it right away, but with recent Instagram updates, it asks for logins or updates, making it a bit harder to view, doesn't it?

Can you see it?

This is the third 'bookstore you can stay in' I've visited.

The bookshelf at 'Gran Apple Kobe Sanda & Kotobuki no Yu' in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, was also very beautiful!

Kyoto's 'TUNE STAY KYOTO' was also super stylish, and there were many foreign guests staying there.

Here is the magazine for the 'Bookstore You Can Stay In' series.

Next week's post will be about the rooms and meals at 'Matsumoto Hongo'.

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