MAMPEI HOTEL

Mampei Hotel is a historic hotel famously said to have inspired the model for the Studio Ghibli film “The Wind Rises.” Its origins trace back as far as 1764, when it began as an inn called “Kameya.” In 1894, its founding year as a hotel, it was remodeled into a European-style hotel, marking the beginning of today’s Mampei Hotel. Loved for generations, it was registered in 2018 as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property—making it a rare opportunity to stay in a culturally protected property. Guest rooms are divided among several wings with different concepts and atmospheres: the “Alps Wing,” “Usui Wing,” “Atago Wing,” “Annex,” and “Cottage Suite.” The Alps Wing features the hotel’s signature classic twin rooms in the main building built in 1936 (Showa 11), blending Japanese and Western styles into a nostalgic retro space. The Usui Wing offers both retro classic rooms close to the Alps Wing and rooms with a study. The Atago Wing is more modern and standard in style. The Annex has larger rooms suitable for families or friends, and the Cottage Suite offers a villa-like cottage style. There are also large banquet halls suitable for international conferences, and the hotel is used for weddings and receptions. Dining includes a bar, Japanese cuisine, and Chinese cuisine, and the main dining room—like a movie set—serves traditional French cuisine. Prices are on the higher side, but the experience is said to be worth it for those who want a higher-tier stay and a sense of history.