Modern Comfort in a 200-Year-Old Farmhouse

Mitoya is a thatched-roof farmhouse built more than 200 years ago, but to ensure a comfortable stay, the facilities have been updated with modern amenities. While preserving the atmosphere of an old traditional home, Mitoya has been carefully improved so that guests can enjoy their time here with ease and peace of mind. The bathroom, toilet, and washroom areas have all been renovated to meet modern standards.

And there is an interesting story behind these spaces. The area where the bathroom, toilet, and washroom are located today was originally the place where cattle were kept inside the house.

It may be difficult to imagine now, but until about 60 years ago, it was common for every household to keep cows inside their home. Families would purchase a calf, gather grass growing around the house every morning, and feed it to the cow. They would also cook vegetable scraps in the traditional wood-fired stove and give them as feed. By raising the cow and fattening it over time, it became an important source of cash income.

Because of this, even the weeds and wild grass around the house were considered valuable resources, not something to be wasted. Cows were also essential for plowing rice fields, making them an indispensable part of farm life.

In winter, the warmth of the cow’s body and breath helped heat the house, creating a surprisingly energy-efficient lifestyle. Even from a modern perspective, it was a highly practical and sustainable way of living.

What would it have felt like to wake up every morning to the sound of a cow inside your home? It must have been a life much more closely connected to nature and animals than we experience today.

Someday, I would love to open a lodging facility that allows guests to experience this traditional way of life again—a home where cows are truly part of the living space.

In fact, in old Japanese houses, bathrooms, toilets, and wash areas were usually built separately outside the main house. Mitoya’s current facilities reflect that original tradition, while being adapted for modern comfort and convenience.

Staying at Mitoya is not simply spending a night in an old house. It is an opportunity to experience the wisdom, culture, and lifestyle of rural Japan—while still enjoying the comfort of today.