A new style of accommodation is coming to Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture. goodyard, the company that operates the one-building hotel brand "teihaku" in the Chichibu region, has acquired a property near Seibu Chichibu Station with plans to open a guesthouse featuring an attached standing bar — a first for the company. The new venue targets young travelers and solo visitors looking for an affordable and social stay in the heart of Chichibu.
From Private Retreats to Community Connections
goodyard has built its reputation in Chichibu by running "teihaku," a series of fully private one-building hotels popular with families and couples. While the concept has attracted strong praise for its sense of privacy, the company also recognized a gap in the local accommodation landscape: affordable places to stay where young people and solo travelers can easily connect with others.
The new guesthouse aims to fill that gap by shifting the focus from private space to interaction — bringing together guests and local residents under the same roof.
Property Layout and Features
The newly acquired property is conveniently located close to Seibu Chichibu Station, the main hub for visitors to the area. The three-floor layout is designed with different purposes in mind:
1st floor — Standing bar and shared space: The street-facing front section will house a standing bar open not just to hotel guests but also to local residents. At the back of the first floor, a shared kitchen and living area will give guests a place to cook and relax together.
2nd floor — Private rooms and dormitory: Three private rooms provide personal space, alongside a dormitory equipped with bunk beds for those looking for a budget-friendly option.
Rooftop — Views of Mt. Bukou: The rooftop is planned as a relaxing open-air living space with views of Mt. Bukou, Chichibu's iconic peak. During the Kawase Festival and Chichibu Night Festival seasons, guests will also be able to watch fireworks from the rooftop.
Comment from CEO Ryosuke Sugimoto
"The teihaku one-building hotels we've been running are very popular with families and couples who value privacy. But that format also makes it difficult to create connections between guests or with the local community. So I decided to take the first step toward something I've wanted to do for a long time — an accommodation built around interaction.
Chichibu's town center is full of wonderful shops, and bar-hopping here is a fantastic experience. My hope is that guests and locals will naturally get to know each other over drinks at the standing bar on the first floor, and head out together to explore the next spot. With so many festivals and events in Chichibu, I'd love for this guesthouse to be a place where guests connect and go out together.
There are also many people considering moving to Chichibu. I'd love for this guesthouse to serve as a gateway — a place where people thinking about relocating can stay and get to know the town. As we plan to expand into the real estate business in the future, we're also aiming to build a system that can provide total support for those looking to settle here, from housing to daily life."
