Kamonjigoya — Restaurant in Matsumoto

I don’t really understand what’s the deal with staying in this hut. Maybe the problem was that we came in October — it was cold, around 10 degrees inside the room. I was a bit tired after all the walking in Japan, but I couldn’t relax because it was freezing. The room was completely bare — just futons that you have to arrange yourself. The futons were hard as a rock, and the pillows were even worse. It actually hurt to lie down on the futon. The only warm place was the common room with tables.

The hotel also had very strict schedules for everything — breakfast, bathing, and dinner — and you can’t change any of them. Breakfast is at 6:30 a.m., and since the staff wakes up around 5, you’ll definitely hear them talking loudly. Bathing time ends at 17:30, and dinner starts at the same time, so you have to bathe before dinner. The bath itself is small, and they assign bathing times, which means if you arrive late, you might not get a chance to use it.

Dinner was nice, but breakfast was just okay. The best part was waking up early and having the nearby pond all to ourselves.

Also, you have to rent towels, which feels strange for a place that isn’t cheap. And even though their emails say you need to bring cash to pay for the room, they still charge...

Reaching Kamonjigoya after a long, gentle rain-soaked hike felt like something out of a dream. We arrived damp and chilly, and stepping into the warmth of the hut — with its glowing irori hearth and the soft sounds of the forest just outside — was pure magic.

We ordered the grilled Iwana (岩魚) set and the sweet red-bean soup. I had tried whole grilled river fish several times across Japan, but nothing compared to this — the flavor was delicate yet rich, the fish expertly grilled until tender, every bite somehow tasting like the surrounding mountains themselves.

The meal wasn't just about the food (although it was incredible); it was the feeling of being completely present, warmed, and restored after the hike, surrounded by the timeless peace of Kamikōchi.

It was, without a doubt, the most memorable meal we had in Japan — not only for the taste but for the moment it created. I can’t recommend Kamonjigoya enough for those seeking something real and...

Stayed here overnight as we visited Kamikōchi and wanted to take it slow. Food was amazing, hospitality was top notch, and the experience of staying in a 140+ years facility was really special for us.

For visitors, please be respectful to the base rules being set (e.g. come before it gets dark, use shower at...