about us
The company name “YAMAGARA” was inspired by the Varied tit (Yamagara), the town bird of Kinomoto, where our company is based.
Founded in 2018, for over seven years, YAMAGARA has been based in northern Shiga Prefecture, Nagahama City, where we operate accommodations using traditional Japanese houses and a café by Lake Biwa, welcoming visitors from Japan and around the world.
We currently operate five guesthouses: Miei, Kura Miei, Ika, Kura Ika, and Kosouan. We also offer a unique accommodation experience in a renovated special train carriage room called “Tail Lamp”, as well as a car-stay campground for travelers who enjoy outdoor stays.
Our history
2018: Opened Guesthouse Miei.
2019: Renovated a traditional storehouse and launched Kura Stay.
2023: Opened Kosouan, a railway carriage stay, and a car-stay campground.
2024: Opened a cycling support station to support Biwaichi, the Lake Biwa cycling route.
2025: Established YAMAGARA Co., Ltd.
2026: Developing Seikoan, a long-stay facility, and launching a free rural homestay experience program.
our goal
Traditional Japanese houses (kominka) represent the original landscapes of Japan. Built with natural materials and shaped by human hands, these wooden homes gain character and warmth as time passes. They are a reflection of local climate, culture, and ways of life.
By renovating and preserving kominka, we connect their timeless value to the future while contributing to the preservation of regional landscapes and the revitalization of local communities.