うめたんFUJI

Type of property

A farmhouse-style inn in the Ofuji hamlet of Tamba-Sasayama, converted from a 100-year-old house and taken by one party at a time.

The hamlet

A quiet hamlet of only a few households, with hills and rice fields directly in front. Fireflies appear in early summer and bell crickets and mayflies in autumn.

Bedroom

The bedroom has air conditioning and a television and sleeps five, with small children sharing bedding.

Living room and engawa

The living room doubles as a place to relax and to eat, with breakfast served there. It has a record player, the engawa looks onto the hamlet, and drinks are ordered at the counter.

Barbecue terrace

A barbecue garden sits to the right of the building, with room to sit at ease.

Steps and step-free areas

There are no steps from the living room to the toilet, changing room, washbasin and bath. Steps remain between the entrance and corridor, the corridor and bedroom, and the bedroom and living room. A bed can be placed in the living room if needed.

Approach to food

The inn is built around Sasayama game meat and craft beer, buying from producers it knows by name and developing dishes after learning how they are eaten locally.

Choosing the menu by season

From May to October the barbecue menu is chosen （moved indoors to charcoal grilling in the living room if it rains）, and from November to April the hotpot menu. Guests are asked to enquire at the March-April and October-November turns of season.

Transfer

About an hour and a half by train from Kyoto or Osaka. With advance arrangement the inn collects guests from Sasayamaguchi or Sonobe Station, each about 30 minutes away by car.

Driving routes

From Osaka, about 40 minutes north on Route 173 from the Ikeda-Kibe Daini exit of the Hanshin Expressway Route 11. From Kobe, about 40 minutes east from Tamba-Sasayamaguchi IC on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway. From Kyoto, about 30 minutes west on Route 444 from Tamba IC on the Kyoto Jukan Expressway via the Mizuho-no-Sato roadside station.

A route the inn advises against

The shortest route shown by mapping apps, the mountain pass on prefectural route 702 past the Sasayama golf course, is described as somewhat dangerous and the inn advises going round.

If game meat does not suit

Because it does not suit everyone, the menu can be changed for a single guest, including a switch to a chicken hotpot.

Temperature and clothing

Mornings and evenings are generally cold, and even in April the morning can fall below 10 degrees. Guests are asked to bring a jacket in every month but August.

Heating in the living room

Being an old house, the living room has no air conditioning; in winter a kerosene stove warms it slowly, and the stove is turned off at night for safety.

Winter road conditions

Snow tyres are asked for in winter. If the road ices over the inn can collect guests from Sasayamaguchi Station or a nearby car park, and in heavy snow or ice it may cancel a booking for safety.

Nightwear

No nightwear is provided, so guests bring warm sleepwear; an outer layer is available.

Conditions on bringing food and drink

Food and drink may be brought in and there is a refrigerator in the bedroom. The kitchen cannot be used because of restaurant licensing, but staff will reheat food on request. Drinks may be brought if each drinker orders at least one.

Courses and children's meals

One course portion is sized for an adult appetite and can be shared by those who eat less. Allergies are adjusted for as far as possible when told in advance, and a children's breakfast can be prepared.

Insects

In summer small moths and mosquitoes get indoors, though there are insect screens. The outdoor terrace is treated in advance, and long sleeves, long trousers and socks are recommended even in summer. Outside summer, stink bugs sometimes come inside.

Fires and fireworks

Open fires and fireworks are allowed, though not aerial fireworks. Conversation and music on the terrace at night are fine if not loud, and fires must be put out before bed.

Booking

Book by three days before the stay. Telephone is surest for detailed requests or activities, and the official booking form is also accepted. Changes and cancellations must be made by telephone.

Bedroom

With air conditioning and a television, sleeping five, with small children sharing bedding.

Living room

A space for relaxing and eating, where breakfast is served, with a record player, a drinks counter and an engawa looking onto the hamlet.

The old house itself

A 100-year-old house converted for one party at a time, keeping its earthen-floored doma.

Step-free route to the bath

There are no steps from the living room to the toilet, changing room, washbasin and bath.

Conditions on bringing food and drink

Food and drink may be brought in and there is a refrigerator in the bedroom. The kitchen cannot be used because of restaurant licensing, but staff will reheat food on request. Drinks may be brought if each drinker orders at least one.

Courses and children's meals

One course portion is sized for an adult appetite and can be shared by those who eat less. Allergies are adjusted for as far as possible when told in advance, and a children's breakfast can be prepared.

Transfer from the nearest station

About an hour and a half by train from Kyoto or Osaka.

With advance arrangement the inn collects guests from Sasayamaguchi or Sonobe Station, each about 30 minutes away by car.

Driving routes by direction

From Osaka about 40 minutes north on Route 173 from the Ikeda-Kibe Daini exit; from Kobe about 40 minutes east from Tamba-Sasayamaguchi IC.

The menu is chosen by season

Barbecue from May to October and hotpot from November to April, with rain moving the barbecue indoors to charcoal grilling, and the turns of season worth an enquiry.

Book by three days ahead

Bookings close three days before the stay, and changes or cancellations must be made by telephone.

Cold and roads in winter

The living room has no air conditioning and is warmed by a kerosene stove in winter, turned off at night. Snow tyres are needed, and the inn can collect guests from the station if the road ices over.

Bring nightwear and a jacket

No nightwear is provided, so bring something warm to sleep in, and a jacket in every month but August.

The kitchen is not for guests

Food and drink may be brought in, but the kitchen cannot be used because of restaurant licensing; staff will reheat food on request.

Insects and time outdoors

Long sleeves, long trousers and socks are recommended even in summer. Open fires and fireworks are allowed but not aerial ones, and fires must be put out before bed.