Interview with Hideo Kobayashi, owner of “Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI”
We spoke with owner Hideo Kobayashi about how “Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI” came to be, as well as his plans for the future.
How he started the inn
Could you tell us how you came to start the inn?
Kobayashi (surname only)
It was originally a relative’s house, and no one lived there anymore. Plans were already underway to let it go and sell it. The idea was to demolish the building and subdivide the land.
So, on impulse, I took it over, saying, “I’ll figure something out.”
But once it actually became ours, figuring out what to do with a property this large became a major problem.
It was too big for me to live in, and even if I rented it to someone, it would cost a lot to repair such a large old house enough to make it livable.
Changing the building’s use and considering another type of business was also difficult, with too many hurdles. After considering all the options, the last one left was “lodging.”
The repairs must have been difficult.
Kobayashi
Yes, they were. It so happened that shortly before this inn project got underway, I quit the job I’d held for many years and returned to my hometown.
At just that time, I attended a school for six months to learn the basics of renovation.
Although I learned basic knowledge and skills there, when it came to putting them into practice, even something as simple as painting a wall meant first treating the surface of the old wall. It was an incredibly daunting task.
Fortunately, about 10 people came together to help: friends I’d met at renovation school, experienced acquaintances I’d known for a long time, and people I’d met at an entrepreneurship program.
They helped with a wide range of work, including completely replacing the damaged flooring and plastering and painting the walls.
Sometimes they stayed to work with me until after 9 p.m.
It really took the efforts of many people to finally bring it to life.
I was truly moved when it was completed and transformed into an inn.
Lessons from “Momoque (Momosta Innovators Quest)”
You also learned a lot from “Momoque (Momosta Innovators Quest),” run by Momosta (Momotaro Startup Cafe).
Kobayashi
Momoque is held by Momosta (Momotaro Startup Cafe) in Okayama City. It is a hands-on entrepreneurship and business-planning program that turns “what you want to do” into reality.
Participants from across Okayama Prefecture and beyond, with a variety of backgrounds, work on challenges alongside instructors and peers as they develop their own businesses into concrete plans.
When I was starting a lodging business, I was worried about whether it would work in Mizushima, a little way from the tourist destination of Bikan Historical Area.
I had tried other businesses before, but this was my first lodging facility. I was worried about that, too.
I’m a huge fan of instructor Yusuke Kanemaru, and one of the main reasons I joined “Momoque” was that I wanted to learn directly from him. I’m glad I took part.
Yusuke Kanemaru
Representative Partner, Business Entertainment LLC.
At Mixi, Inc., he was responsible for new business development and strategic planning. Since becoming independent, he has supported venture and startup companies and publicly listed companies with launching new businesses, strategy development, organizational development, and talent development.
I was able to thoroughly examine my business plan, and having peers who were also trying to launch businesses from scratch was a great inspiration.
Seeing everyone work hard made me want to work hard, too.
What left the strongest impression on me was when, after the program ended, Kanemaru said, “You’re going to scale up further, right?” (“Scale” is a business term meaning to expand a business.)
That led to the second-inn project I’m preparing now.
Preparing a second inn
Could you tell us a little about the second inn as well?
Kobayashi
The building we’re currently preparing is called the Former Yoshida Hikoshichi Family Residence, located in Mizushima, Kurashiki City.
The residence stands in the urban area of Mizushima. It was built as company housing for workers at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mizushima Aircraft Works, which began operations in 1943.
It is a valuable building, one of the few surviving examples of small-scale company housing from the mid-Showa wartime period in the city.
It is one of a group of single-story houses built in a rush during the war. Miraculously, it has survived with few alterations and has been designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
It had been unused for some time, and if left alone, it would simply decay. I felt strongly that it was a shame to let that happen, and when I happened to go see it, I thought again that I wanted to do something about it.
So I asked the owner, and they agreed to rent it to me.
It isn’t as spacious as this place, but it has historical value and a story, and I’d like to make it into an inn that makes the most of those qualities.
I met him right after Kanemaru Yusuke had given me a push on “Momo Quest,” so it really felt as if I had been guided to him.
What brings you the greatest joy in running the inn?
Kobayashi
Without a doubt, it’s meeting all kinds of guests I would never encounter in my everyday life and having the chance to talk with them in person.
Guests from overseas in particular spend a long time planning their trips and come all the way to Kurashiki after spending a considerable amount of money.
When I see their happy faces as they enjoy their stay and say, “That was wonderful” or “I’d love to come again,” I feel there can be no greater joy.
Running an inn is not always easy. Cleaning is hard work, and making the beds takes care and attention. But a simple “thank you” or a smile makes all the hard work disappear.
For example, this is the message that has moved me the most so far.
It’s a shame we could only stay for one night!
Staying in such a large, old house was one of our best experiences in Japan. It was so unique and memorable. Everything we needed was provided, making our stay enjoyable and comfortable.
It was a pleasure just to admire the beautiful things in the house, such as the charming kimonos and the koto. The scenery around the house was also picture-perfect.
But what truly made our stay wonderful was the warm hospitality of our host, Hideo. Not only did he wait for us at the bus stop, he also showed us around the area, introduced us to local cuisine, took us up a mountain to see the breathtaking night view, and did so much more.
We all had such enjoyable conversations, as if there were no language barrier at all. Google Translate was really useful! We also took part in a tea ceremony he had arranged for us, which allowed us to experience Japanese culture more deeply.
Hideo’s wonderful support and hospitality were beyond anything we had expected, and truly made our stay memorable. The night we spent in this house became an irreplaceable memory for us.
I highly recommend that everyone experience it!!
(Translated from a review by guests from Poland)
There can’t be many jobs where you receive such direct positive feedback.
These days, I think many whole-house rental inns are run remotely, with no face-to-face contact from check-in to check-out. But we value meeting our guests in person and explaining everything to them properly.
As a result, we receive good reviews, and I feel we’ve created a positive cycle in which other guests come after seeing those reviews.
From the Writer
“Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI,” a traditional Japanese house inn restored through the passion of its owner, Kobayashi Hideo, and the efforts of friends who shared his vision.
- Looking for an inn where a large group can stay without worrying about disturbing others
- Want a unique experience because an ordinary hotel just isn’t enough
- Want to enjoy traveling as if you were living in your own home
I felt its great appeal lies in how it meets all kinds of needs, including these.
Be sure to visit and meet Kobayashi Hideo for yourself.
Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI Information
| Name | Kurashiki Inn Retreat KOBAYASHI |
|---|---|
| Address | 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) Room with tatami flooring No pets |
| Bath | Bathroom available |
| Wi-Fi | None |
| Parking | Available 3 spaces next door |
| Website | Booking webpage (Booking.com) |
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