Aburaya Ryokan, an inn run by Mitsuo Numata in Itsukaichi, Akiruno City, Tokyo, has fully renewed its official website as of July 2026 and begun screening a new promotional video for guests inside the inn.
Alongside the website relaunch, the inn has also introduced an "online gallery" that looks back at the exterior and interior renovation completed in March 2025 and traces how the streetscape of Itsukaichi has changed since the inn's founding.
Founded in 1912 (Meiji 45) and now marking 114 years in business, Aburaya Ryokan is the only ryokan still standing in the Itsukaichi area. This website renewal is the first of a series of commemorative projects leading up to the inn's 115th anniversary in 2027.
Official website: https://www.aburayaryokan.com/
The Only Surviving Inn in Itsukaichi, With 114 Years of History
Aburaya Ryokan was founded in 1912 (Meiji 45).
Rooted in the old post town of Itsukaichi in Akiruno City, Tokyo, it has welcomed travelers visiting the Akigawa Valley for 114 years.
As the only ryokan still operating in the Itsukaichi area, it remains a familiar presence for locals, carrying the memory and culture of the region.
"When Shibuya was still a village, Itsukaichi was already a town" — a saying that captures Itsukaichi's history as a distribution hub for goods since the Edo period, and Aburaya Ryokan has grown alongside the town through that entire span of time.
Three Highlights of the Renewal
1. Exterior and Interior Renewal (Completed March 2025)
The exterior and interior have been refreshed with a monotone design based on white and black. The renovation keeps the character of a long-established inn while giving the space a more modern, stylish feel.
2. Full Renewal of the Official Website (July 2026)
The official website has been redesigned so it can be browsed comfortably from smartphones.
The new site matches the look and feel of the renovated inn while also introducing the appeal of the area around Itsukaichi.
Official website: https://www.aburayaryokan.com/
3. New Promotional Video
A new video introduces the inn as it looks after the renewal, and is available on the official website and YouTube.
An "Online Gallery" That Archives the Inn's Memories
As part of this renewal, Aburaya Ryokan has introduced an "online gallery."
Using photos from its founding era alongside exterior photos from different periods, it traces how the streetscape of the post town of Itsukaichi has changed over time.
Through the story of a single inn, the project aims to record and share the memory of the area itself, opening an archive to both visitors and local residents.
An Inn Featured in Numerous TV Productions
Aburaya Ryokan has cooperated with the filming of several television productions, including the Yomiuri TV drama Yakusoku: 16-nenme no Shinjitsu (lit. "The Promise: The Truth 16 Years Later"), starring Anne Nakamura and co-starring Yu Yokoyama; NHK's Tsurube no Kazoku ni Kanpai (lit. "Tsurube's Toast to the Family"); and the TBS drama MONSTERS, starring Shingo Katori and Tomohisa Yamashita.
Its historic appearance continues to be chosen as a setting for film and TV productions.
What's Ahead on the Road to the 115th Anniversary
With this website renewal as the first step, Aburaya Ryokan will roll out further commemorative projects ahead of its 115th anniversary in 2027.
Second Project (Summer): An In-Inn Gallery — 114 Years of Photo Panels on Display
To coincide with the 21st Yoruichi Night Market, scheduled for August 29, 2026, the inn will unveil photos chronicling 114 years of Itsukaichi and Aburaya Ryokan for the first time. The photos, including some from the inn's television appearances, will be displayed inside the inn only, for about a month starting from the night market, and will be limited to guests and other inn users.
The Yoruichi Night Market is a summer tradition in Itsukaichi that draws around 30,000 visitors each year.
This display will not be open to the general public.
Third Project (Fall–Winter): A Banquet Course Featuring Akiruno's Akigawa Beef
Ahead of the year-end and New Year party season, the inn plans to offer a special banquet course featuring Akigawa beef, a branded beef raised locally in Akiruno.
A Message From Mitsuo Numata, Head of Aburaya Ryokan
Itsukaichi is a town with a long history. I hope people come to love Itsukaichi and keep coming back to shop or stay here.
For this renewal, we refreshed both the outside and inside of the inn, and brought together 114 years of memories in video and photographs.
I've come to feel all over again that the history of Aburaya Ryokan is also the history of everyone who has been connected to the town of Itsukaichi.
I would be glad if guests could take some time on the night of the Yoruichi Night Market to relax and look through the photos at the renewed inn.
Facility Overview
| Name | Akigawa Valley Yasuragi no Yado Aburaya Ryokan |
| Location | Itsukaichi, Akiruno City, Tokyo |
| Founded | 1912 (Meiji 45) |
| Rooms | 11 Japanese-style rooms, 1 Western-style room (all rooms equipped with air conditioning/heating and a TV) |
| Access | 10-minute walk from JR Musashi-Itsukaichi Station / 15-minute drive from the Hinode IC on the Ken-O Expressway |
| Official website | https://www.aburayaryokan.com/ |
| YouTube channel | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB_EA6UvGNdNCmEf-S_ghEw |
