In July 2024, the traditional Japanese house inn “Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI (Retreat Kobayashi)” opened in Mizushima, Kurashiki City.
You would never guess from the exterior, but this is a spacious whole-house rental with a floor area of 520 m².
It stands quietly in a residential neighborhood, yet once you step inside, a space that feels like another world unfolds before you.
“I enjoy being able to talk with people I would never have met if I weren’t doing this work,” says the owner, smiling, Kobayashi Hideo.
His hospitality, which cherishes each encounter with every guest, has spread by word of mouth, and visitors from all over the world continue to come to the inn.
Let’s take a closer look at Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI, how it came to open, and Mr. Kobayashi’s new challenges.
The information provided was current when this article was published in July 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
A traditional house inn for exclusive rental, with an extraordinary amount of space
Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI is a lodging where you can rent the entire house exclusively, on a room-only basis.
It is located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Koshinden, Fukuda-cho, Kurashiki City.
Its appeal lies in the peaceful setting, away from tourist destinations such as the Bikan Historical Area.
The house originally belonged to a relative of the owner, Mr. Kobayashi. When plans arose to sell it, demolish it, and subdivide the land, Mr. Kobayashi decided to take it over.
In July 2024, it was reborn as an inn.
The building has a floor area of 520 m² and 11 rooms, and can accommodate up to 10 guests.
The scale is so extraordinary that Mr. Kobayashi himself laughs, “It’s too big, isn’t it? People often tell me not to do it because repairs will cost so much.” But that is precisely what creates a sense of openness and a unique stay that other accommodations cannot offer.
For starters, there are no fewer than six staircases, giving you the exciting feeling of exploring a maze.
Even large groups can enjoy a relaxing stay while maintaining their privacy. It seems ideal for a variety of occasions, including trips with three-generation families, trips with friends and their families, training sessions, and camps.
Since the entire house is rented exclusively, another appealing feature is that even guests with small children can relax at their own pace without worrying about disturbing others.
Explore “Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI”!
Let’s take a look inside Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI.
Japanese-style Room 1
Through the entrance, beyond the spacious foyer, is a Japanese-style living room.
As you step inside, a powerful dragon painted on the sliding doors catches your eye.
An orange glass ball was sitting there (it somehow looks familiar).
It is part of a playful feature: find the seven glass balls hidden somewhere in the building.
The inn has a legend that “a giant Shenron is painted on four sliding doors, and seven Dragon Balls reside in its eyes.”
Taking on the challenge with friends or family will make your stay an even more memorable experience.
Japanese-style Room 2
Beyond it is another Japanese-style room, distinguished by its striking ukiyo-e.
The sliding doors feature ukiyo-e depicting vivid kabuki actors, as well as part of “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji,” a series of ukiyo-e prints and a signature work by Katsushika Hokusai.
Mr. Kobayashi and others restored the room by hand, replacing the paper on the old sliding doors and repainting them.
Kimonos, a koto, tea ceremony utensils, and more offer a chance to experience the appeal of traditional Japanese culture.
Walking down the hallway, which evokes a sense of history, you’ll come across nostalgic light fixtures. It feels as if you’ve traveled back in time.
Japanese-style Room 3 (Bedroom)
The shoji screens in the adjacent bedroom also feature ukiyo-e of Mount Fuji: “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” from “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.”
There is also an area painted in bengara red, reminiscent of Fukiya’s red.
Touches that evoke the beauty of traditional Japan can be found throughout.
Japanese-Style Room 4 (Sub-Dining Room)
This is the Japanese-style room introduced to us as “the sub-dining room.”
We were surprised by its size, thinking, “If this is the ‘sub’ dining room, is there another, main dining room?”
The fusuma sliding doors here are also decorated with bengara.
A Relaxation Room with a Projector
Next door is a relaxation room equipped with a projector.
The raised tatami area has a spacious sofa, making it seem like a comfortable place for even a large group to relax.
On the walls are a world map showing the countries of guests who have visited and photos full of smiles, conveying the warm personality of the owner, Kobayashi Hideo, and the enjoyable exchange between guests.
You can see that guests have come from all over the world.
Climb the small staircase from there, and you’ll find an attic.
Newspaper from the wartime period is exposed on the bare walls, telling the story of the building’s long history.
Kitchen-Dining Room (Main Dining Room)
In a separate wing, added on at some point in the past and accessible from inside the building, there is a comfortable main dining area with air conditioning, as well as a spacious kitchen.
It is equipped with an induction cooktop, microwave, rice cooker, cooking utensils, and a full set of dishes, so you can bring your own ingredients and enjoy cooking.
It is also an environment where people with dietary restrictions for religious or other reasons can stay with peace of mind.
Second-Floor Bedrooms 1 and 2
Up the stairs in the separate wing, the second floor had two bedrooms, each with its own distinct character.
I think part of the fun is chatting as a group about where to sleep and where to spend your time.
The inn also had traditional Japanese games such as Hyakunin Isshu, hanafuda, and kendama.
The history of the building itself, as well as its furnishings and knickknacks, gives visitors plenty to discover.
How did “Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI” come to be? What new prospects lie ahead?
We spoke with its owner, Kobayashi Hideo.
Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI Information
| Name | Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI |
|---|---|
| Location | 1075 Koshinden, Fukuda-cho, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 090-6404-9271 |
| Check-in | 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. |
| Check-out | By 10:00 a.m. |
| Payment methods |
|
| Facility information | No smoking indoors Toilet with separate bidet seat Bathroom available Room only (no meals) Rooms with tatami mats No pets allowed |
| Bath | Bathroom available |
| Wi-Fi | Not available |
| Parking | Available 3 spaces next door |
| Website | Booking webpage (Booking.com) |
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