We have a nickname for this place: "the village the cats run" — the rules here are theirs.
Stay a night, though, and you'll find the cats aren't the only ones who come calling.
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Every cat in the village was once a stray — wary of people until the village took them in, they are now its most important family.
Your stay supports their care, every single day.
Three ways to stay, one price per group — tell us your headcount and dates on LINE, and we reply with the total.
The star of this trip is Washinmura itself. You come for the cats, the farmhouse, the bonfire and the village dinners; the rest is scenery along the way. Set out unhurried each morning — the sea and the cliffs are about an hour out — and come home to the village at dusk.
Your house manager drives you all day. All you choose is: the sea, or the mountains. Both are full-day routes.
No route-planning, no hunting for parking, no agonizing over where to eat — just follow your house manager.
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Cats, wood-splitting, kettle rice, wood-fired sauna, fireflies, fireworks… swipe through all 25.
The cats live freely around the village and may slip into your room. Late at night, a "mystery cat" may appear
Husky-type big dogs. Guests can walk them after check-out. The village chief is Waka, the white dog
Goats and silky fowl. Every animal has its own area — watch them up close
The fridge holds meat, seafood and vegetables for two adults. Thick-cut beef tongue and more — beyond the usual glamping fare
Cook rice in a Japanese iron kettle. No-wash rice and a measuring-line kettle — beginners nail it too
Make your own hot sandwiches with fresh-ground coffee. Salad, yogurt, eggs and apple juice on the side
An optional winter add-on. Warming Taiwanese-style hot pot
Hot pot around the wood stove — dinner and warmth in one
Beer, snacks, dog treats, wine, fireworks (PayPay accepted). A midnight drink is no problem
Fire pit, log splitter and fire starters all ready. A winter bonfire warms like an open-air bath
The maul has heft, but it's surprisingly easy — and deeply therapeutic
A night walk far from light pollution — look up into a sky full of stars
Buy them at the unmanned shop and light them in the garden — a backyard treat you rarely get anymore
Splash in the small stream near the village to cool off
Tools lent free — dig spring shoots and eat them fresh
Autumn only. Pick your own from the village trees
Spark a flame with a fire starter — the satisfaction of fire the old way
Coffee from the grind up — mill your own beans and brew a cup in the mountain air
Kites lent free — fly them on the green
On the green: badminton and catch, the whole family moving
By reservation. Sit back, look at the sky, and let the wind and the treetops soak in with the forest air
Possible only one month a year. From 20:00, tour the firefly spots around the village with staff; with luck one lands on your hand…
Winter under the kotatsu, peeling mandarins like at grandma's. The cats crawl in too
Winter only. Snow bugs drift like flakes in the air, announcing winter
Spring only. Dig shoots under the blossoms — the animals' liveliest season too
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See each one in detail →Cross the bay, and the city stays behind. About an hour from central Tokyo.
Narita or Haneda, we pick you up — or anywhere in central Tokyo. Just tell us your hotel.
A dedicated car the whole way, your house manager driving. No rentals, no navigation, no parking. Which also means the drinks are yours to enjoy.
On the last day we take you back to the airport or central Tokyo. Bags in the boot, the rest on us.
Each has a name, and a temper. Who curls into your futon tonight is up to them.
The eldest elder · nine heads tall · the village treasure
Signboard cat · rice-cracker coat · one of three brothers
Orange & white · endlessly curious · loves a lap
Silver shorthair · night owl · champion cuddler
Kinked tail · full of charm · comes for the food
Goodwill ambassador · everyone's favourite easy-goer
The goddess · round-faced · villagers' No.1 pick
Exotic look · tsundere at heart
Fluffy tail · elegant · slow to warm, worth the wait
Black & white · does things her own way
Lion-like mane · the resident love sponge
Quick-witted · a little mischief on four paws
Pure white · named for the brightest star
Welcomed through crowdfunding · supple and graceful
Dragon-like black cat · appeared one day out of nowhere
Goat · gentle · a certain resemblance to Johnny Depp
Goat · quiet · pure healing
The village chief · white dog · first at the welcome line
Waka's son · husky blood · growing fast
The village has 18 cats; here are the 15 members with real photos — the rest will be added as they're photographed, never stock images. Four goats graze the meadow, and a flock of silky fowl wanders free.
The village keepers once lived in Tokyo, running guesthouses and a travel business while quietly tending a dream of moving to the countryside someday. In 2020 the pandemic turned the page — "It's now."
On their first visit to this land, a ruined gatehouse and an old farmhouse stood in silence. They decided on the spot: the new story starts here. Restoring a 200-year house, mowing grass that never ends, a can of beer under the stars — and in time, the once-stray cats became the village's most important family.
"We hope that arriving here feels like coming home to the countryside — spend the time that belongs only to you, in your own way."
We've hosted every one of these. Which one is you?
You're not here for the sights — you're here to keep an appointment. These cats aren't "available for petting"; they choose you, and stay with you the whole trip.
A private car and a house manager mean: no driving, no navigating, no decisions at all. If your city days are one decision after another, what you're really buying is "nothing to think about".
The whole house to yourselves — no strangers to share with. Airport transfers plus a private car solve the travel fatigue elders dread. And the kids get cats, goats, silkies, and a secret base.
The 200-year house is genuinely old, the firewood genuinely needs splitting, the rice is genuinely kettle-cooked. Your house manager carries you over the language barrier — without watering down what's real.
The chores go to the house manager; there's heating, cooling, and real beds. Even the camping-averse hold up fine. And the more of you there are, the less each pays — the pricing itself wants you to bring friends.
Transfers, private car, house manager and 2 nights / 4 meals at one price — easy to package, easy to cost. Taiwanese-run, so communication has zero time lag. The story hooks are ready-made: travelling with cats, a 200-year farmhouse, Kengo Kuma's Jyubako.
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Found yourself? Let's talkLINE is fastest, or use the form; travel agencies please use the B2B desk.
Phone +81-50-1726-8056 (Jalan bookings)Email info@washinmura.jpAddress 14 Takamizo, Futtsu, Chiba, Japan