At Hayama Onsen in Kaminoyama, Yamagata, there is an inn called Meigetsuso.
It stands on high ground overlooking the Zao mountains, and each room feels like its own private cottage.
Meigetsuso displays my paintings inside the inn, and I was also given the chance to hold a solo exhibition there.
Today I want to write about this inn that I love.
Photo: Mermaid nao
The moment you step inside
When I arrive at Meigetsuso and take one step inside, I feel myself gently leave the busyness of everyday life behind.
The care and thoughtfulness of the staff reach every corner, and their smiles are warm.
Luxurious time flows slowly there. Simply going there heals me.
Art in every corner
The young proprietress loves art, and works are displayed throughout the inn.
In the "Okura Gallery," set in a white-walled storehouse from the Taisho era, works by Yamagata artists and designers are on permanent display, and you can buy the pieces you like.
The library, where you can read while looking out on the courtyard, has picture books, art books and books about Yamagata and Kaminoyama, and there is a manga corner in the connecting corridor.
True to the inn's name, which means "harvest moon," many things have a moon motif: Meigetsuso's original rabbit kokeshi dolls, moon-and-sun suncatchers, and moon glass pens.
The shop, and the nuts I think are the best in the world
The shop sells Meigetsuso's original sweets such as pudding, local specialties, pottery and small goods.
My top picks are the saikyo-zuke fish and the nut snacks.
Breakfast at Meigetsuso brings together side dishes chosen to make the rice taste its best. "The Ultimate Saikyo-zuke" lets you enjoy that taste at home.
Five kinds of carefully chosen fresh fish (sablefish, escolar, black flounder, king salmon and Spanish mackerel; they may change with the season) are marinated one slice each in sweet Saikyo miso. It is sold in limited quantities on the official online shop (¥7,560, refrigerated delivery; it cannot be shipped to Hokkaido or Okinawa).
The nut snack is called "Kaoru Ko-no-Mi" and comes in two flavours: honey × miso and honey × black pepper. My favourite is honey × miso.
Roasted walnuts, cashews and almonds are wrapped in the gentle sweetness of honey and the richness of miso. I have eaten many nut snacks, and I think this is the most delicious in the world.
These nuts are also sold on Meigetsuso's official online shop: six 25g bags for ¥1,620 (tax included, shipping extra). There is also a gift version in a wooden box, perfect as a present.
About Meigetsuso
The official online shop says that the inn "works hard every day so that guests can spend a truly fulfilling time." Every time I visit, I feel it is an inn true to those words.
If you ever come to Yamagata, I hope you will stay at Meigetsuso. Even if a stay is not possible, you can feel the inn's thoughtfulness through the nuts from its online shop.
Meigetsuso official website / Meigetsuso official online shop
I am truly grateful to have met such wonderful people, and to have my paintings displayed in their places.
I will never forget this kindness, and I hope to become an artist who can one day give something back.
I am filled with gratitude for these connections.
Sources
Meigetsuso official website (facilities)
Meigetsuso official online shop (Kaoru Ko-no-Mi honey × miso / The Ultimate Saikyo-zuke / About)
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