Auberge Homachi Mikuni Minato
Slow-luxury, heritage immersion, Japanese-French auberge. The vibe is quiet, community-rooted, and deeply local — you are staying in the neighbourhood, not just visiting it.
Book the Tatewaku building if you want the best bath — it has a separate bathhouse with a circular tub overlooking a private garden
Why It Matters
Selected by the Michelin Guide Hotel Selection for two consecutive years. One of the very few places in Japan where you can sleep inside a genuine Edo-period townhouse with modern comforts AND walk next door to a Michelin-recognised French restaurant using Fukui's own seasonal ingredients. The oldest building dates to around 1800; the newest to 1960. Each property tells a distinct story.
Auberge Homachi Mikuni Minato is a dispersed-stay hotel spread across nine restored Edo- and Meiji-era merchant townhouses in the historic port town of Mikuniminato, Fukui. The 16 suites occupy buildings scattered within an 800-metre radius of the central reception, each one a distinct piece of architecture — from kagura-tate machiya townhouses to grand former merchant residences. The concept pairs this authentic setting with a serious French restaurant helmed by chef Tateru Yoshino, who trained under Joël Robuchon and has earned Michelin stars in both France and Japan.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
ASANOHA (麻の葉) / UROKO (鱗)
Two rooms featuring latticed bay windows and a distinctive red-leaf exterior. Open staircase design adds a feeling of height. UROKO is 56sqm with a courtyard.
56 sqm
BISHAMON (毘沙門) / YABANE (矢羽根)
Two very large guest rooms in one building, each with latticed bay windows and a garden featuring large stone basins and stone lanterns. Traditional Mikuni-style exterior.
CHIDORI (千鳥)
Located closest to Mikuni Shrine — the second-floor rooms have a direct view of the festival float parade. Retains the authentic 'kagura-date' architectural style. 70sqm with hinoki cypress bath and courtyard.
70 sqm
HIGAKI (桧垣)
At 98sqm, a stately single building with theme 'crafts' — inspired by the baskets and woven goods of the area's artisans. Early Showa-era construction. Separate tatami room, courtyard, free minibar. Sleeps up to 4 (futons set up in the tatami room for 3rd and 4th guests).
98 sqmIGETA (井桁) / SHIPPO (七宝)
Two rooms in a building with traditional flat entrance, small roof overhang, and side wall. Designed for a sense of spaciousness while preserving as much of the Mikuni-style exterior as possible. IGETA is 64sqm with a wood deck.
64 sqmKIKKO (亀甲) / KUROKAN (蔵鍵) / SEIGAIHA (青海波) / BUNDO (分銅)
The largest building in the collection, containing four guest rooms including KIKKO — a traditional kura (storehouse) room with river views from a wood deck. All four rooms are in the 'kagura-style' building. KIKKO is 40sqm.
40 sqmKOUNOJI (工の字)
The largest single building in the collection at 108sqm. Located close to Kinpo-ji Temple, a former haiku-gathering spot of wealthy Kitamae-bune merchants. The name means a straight line — symbolising strong will. Two-storey layout with tatami room, wood deck, and courtyard. Sleeps up to 4.
108 sqmMASU (枡) / MATSUKAWABISHI (松皮菱)
Two rooms renovated from a traditional Mikuni restaurant once popular with literary figures. Stately atmosphere with the feel of a well-loved salon. MATSUKAWABISHI is 65sqm with a courtyard and bath with a view.
65 sqm
TATEWAKU (立湧)
Theme: 'bath'. A standout building where the bathhouse is completely separate, accessed across the courtyard — the circular tub overlooking a private garden is one of the most-photographed features of the whole hotel. Built in 1957. 90sqm. Maximum 2 guests.
90 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Afternoon walking tour of the Demura neighbourhood, tracing the vestiges of the old entertainment district that grew up around the Kitamae-bune trade.
A guide-led morning walk covering Sakai City Ryusho Museum (a Western-style hilltop building with an observation balcony from Mt. Hakusan to the Sea of Japan) and Takidanji Temple, an Important Cultural Property.
Afternoon tour of temples, shrines, and sites connected to the Mikuni Festival and the Kitamae-bune trade — including a prayer experience.
An evening experience in the lit-up grounds of Mikuni Shrine: watch a demonstration of the Obi no Machi Nagashi dance, receive special prayers, and then enjoy a banquet of food that has been blessed as shrine offerings. Available April–June and September–October.
A small-group morning session learning about dashi culture — the backbone of Japanese cuisine — using rice and kelp historically traded on Kitamae ships. Eat what you make. Unique to the region and adjusted seasonally.
Drop into local workshops in the Mikuni townscape. At Takeyoshi shamisen café, guests wear kimono, enjoy matcha and wagashi, and watch (and try) a 30–60 minute performance by a musician with 60 years of experience. Also includes paper lantern making and bonsai. Available year-round.
A full-day taxi plan taking guests to major Fukui Prefecture sites: Eiheiji Temple, Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins, and the Dinosaur Museum.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The auberge can arrange English-speaking local guides to lead guests through the historic Mikuniminato district.
Complimentary Wi-Fi in all guest units.
Food can be delivered to individual guest units. Each unit also has a full kitchen for self-catering.
Each unit has a kitchen equipped with oven/microwave, drum washer-dryer, electric kettle, fridge, wine cooler, cookware (3 sizes of frying pan), and a full set of Echizen-ware ceramics. Suitable for longer stays.
Every unit's fridge is stocked with local Fukui drinks — all complimentary. Coffee beans, filters, tea (green and three types of black tea), and coffee accompaniments also included.
The property does not have a swimming pool.
Wide range of items available on loan from the front building: iron and ironing board, hair straightener, trouser press, electric fan heater, thermometer, first aid kit, voltage converter, earthen pot (donabe), and more.
Complimentary parking available at the property.
Hotel operates a branded shuttle bus connecting the property to JR Awara Onsen Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen). Must be reserved in advance. Staff meet guests at the west exit escalator.
BUILD YOUR AUBERGE HOMACHI MIKUNI MINATO PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning