We are proud to offer Kawasemi Cottage, a charming, traditional 75-year-old lodge located on the SASU・ICHI estate, for stays of two nights or more. Set above the village of Awabara, the cottage overlooks the Sasama River which provides a soothing backdrop to reading on the veranda or drifting off to sleep.

Kawasemi Cottage consists of three rooms (two multi-purpose, separable tatami rooms (living/sleeping) and a modern kitchen) plus a shower, toilet, wash room, veranda and private entranceway. The design remains true to the style of the Showa era while offering all the luxuries of modern life, allowing you to find the optimal balance of tradition and comfort.

Bookings also include private use of "Awa-Yu Sento", an art deco bathhouse with handmade ceramic tubs, Showa period furnishings and a hidden deck for stargazing. Your quiet, unhurried soak in our moutain springwater will be the capstone of a perfect day.

Kawasemi Cottage

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Kawasemi Cottage Photo Tour

  • Entranceway (Genkan)

  • Entranceway (Genkan)

  • Entranceway (Genkan)

  • Living Room

  • Living Room

  • Living Room

  • Interior

  • Interior

  • Interior

  • Living Room

  • Living Room

  • Living Room

  • Veranda

  • Veranda

  • Bedroom

  • Bedroom

  • Bedroom

  • Washroom

  • Connecting Corridor

  • Kitchen

  • Kitchen

  • Kitchen

  • Exterior

  • Exterior

  • Exterior

  • Exterior

AirBnb Rating of 4.96 from 100+ Reviews

  • "This was the best experience I’ve had in my multiple visits to Japan. A true authentic village setting that feels like a time machine to a different era."

    Yashar, Canada

  • “My second time coming and I’m already hoping to come back a third time! Everything about this stay is magical.”

    Spencer, USA

  • “Kawasemi Cottage is a dream come true! The cottage itself was even better that I had anticipated, spacious, cozy, beautifully decorated.”

    Olivia, UK

  • "The bathhouse was wonderful. We loved our stay and feel that it was the highlight of our travels.”

    Doug, USA

  • “It's the most exceptional place I've stayed in Japan - anyone who loves Japanese traditional, as well as retro and modern mixed, design stays will love it here. So many magical and charming features to explore and appreciate while you stay.”

    Joy, Japan

  • "Between the comfort of the accommodations and beautiful setting of Sasama, this was by far the most serene & relaxing place we stayed across our 6-week honeymoon!"

    Niki, USA

  • "The cottage itself is immaculate - modern 5-star comfort seamlessly integrated into a traditional framework that honors time, craft, and place. "

    Jennifer, USA

  • "Outstanding host—proactive, caring, and deeply passionate about the area."

    Sol, USA

  • "Picturesque with wonderful countryside views, small tea plantations dotted anywhere there was space, bush and small quaint villages"

    Marie, New Zealand

Awayu Sento (Bathhouse)

Awayu Sento is an Art Deco-inspired bathhouse exclusively reserved for the private use of Kawasemi Cottage guests throughout their stay. Two handmade ceramic tubs (SHIGARAKIYAKI) are fully automatic for “set and forget” bath running and temperature maintenance. A traditional iron bathtub (GOEMONBURO) can be used for a cold plunge or as an additional hot bath experience for up to four guests. Period lighting, lockers, mirror and clock evoke Japan’s nostalgic public bathhouse (SENTO) culture. The bamboo forest walkway and deck are also for guests’ private use for reading, picnicking or stargazing.

Download the Awayu Sento Guidebook for Guests

fees and services provided

Bookings are available for a minimum of two nights with discounts offered for longer stays. Please note that bookings are often accepted only 6-8 weeks in advance and are limited by staff availability. Base fees (see below) include exclusive use of Kawasemi Cottage and Awayu Sento as well as the following at no additional cost:

  • Detailed public transport guides , with “rescue service” (fees may apply) in case connections are missed, and/or up-to-the-minute road directions/conditions for those coming by car

  • Pre-ordering and delivery of Japanese bento boxes available for lunch and dinner (catering costs detailed below)

  • Restaurant recommendations and reservation service for guests arriving by car (no restaurants or shops within walking distance)

  • Suggested recipes and pre-stocking of pantry goods for guests arriving via public transportation

  • Assistance with booking local cultural or outdoor activities (see activities below; fees are set by the various providers)

  • For animal lovers, optional interaction with our mascot and guest relations officer Timo, the cairn terrier

  • 24-7 onsite support for any issues that arise

The base fee is 30,000 yen per night plus an additional 5,000 yen each for second, third and fourth guests. There is a two-night minimum stay and a discount of 15% is applied to the total cost for stays of three to seven nights. (Please inquire about pricing and discounts for longer stays.) Bookings are accepted directly at the rates listed above or through AirBnb at higher rates to cover AirBnb service fees.

Bento box lunches (1,500 yen per meal per person) and dinners (2,500 yen per meal per person) are available but must be ordered at least one week in advance and are “chef’s choice”. Please inquire in advance about the caterer’s ability to accommodate dietary preferences and allergies. A one-time handling fee of 500 yen will be applied to the total catering bill and all catering fees are collected in cash at check-in.

Download the Kawasemi Cottage Guidebook for Guests

Local Cultural and Outdoor Activities

Kawasemi Cottage is the perfect place to relax, soak in the surroundings and enjoy life at your own pace. However, if you feel like engaging more actively, we can arrange for you (in case of language difficulties), or put you in touch with operators, to participate in a variety of local, curated outdoor and cultural activities (additional fees may apply).

If you like being outside but still feeling relaxed we recommend hiking (maps and course descriptions available in the Kawasemi Cottage Guidebook for Guests), river walking and dipping (when conditions are favorable), or an awesome forest bathing site (SHINRIN YOKU).

For the more adventurous, local providers offer world class paragliding, kayaking/rafting/SUP, grass skiing and equestrian lessons nearby (in some cases operators will come to pick you up).

To fully savor being in Japan we recommend a cooking class and/or tea farm experience in the village, or a kimono dressing experience for photo shooting, or a chance to listen to and play the KOTO (the national instrument of Japan) right here on the estate.

You can experiment with local teas and teaware to find your own perfect SENCHA and MATCHA blends, and we can also arrange to hold formal tea ceremonies with local masters on the property.

Even if you're not necessarily a trainspotter, this area is famous for its historic trains (both steam and rack-and-pinion) with fabulous scenery especially in cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons. Or check out the old TOKAIDO road sites nearby as immortalized in UKIYO-E woodblock prints.

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Please get in touch if you would like to know more about visiting the estate.