I'm Réhan, the host, founder, and manager of Ikuno Stay. Born and raised in South Africa, I moved to Japan in the summer of 2017. After living in Sapporo for three years, I now reside in Ikuno Town, As I work closely with the local government and community to support and develop new projects aimed at revitalizing and promoting the area. Rural towns in Japan, with their unique histories and cultures, are threatened by depopulation. The success of Ikuno Stay eventually led to the establishment of the company "Create Ikuno" in 2023. This community-operated company aims to assist with the promotion and development of Ikuno Town, attracting both domestic and international visitors. Our goal is to create new, attractive jobs and experiences for everyone. By choosing to stay here, you are directly contributing to the survival and sustainability of a unique, historic, and special town. Your support also helps me and my work have a significant and lasting impact. We hope you enjoy your stay here. If you need any assistance or information about the accommodation, area, tours, etc., please do not hesitate to contact us.

To promote the modernization of Japan, the Meiji-Era government turned the Ikuno mine into a state-owned enterprise. Foreign industrialists were hired to assist with the development of a modern model mine by introducing new technologies and methods that had a significant impact both domestically and globally. The official residence for the mining staff at that time was the same type of house which you can experience staying in. (Koushataku residence). The official residences and company housing remaining in Japan are some of Japan’s oldest buildings and are designated as cultural properties of the Kuchiganaya district of Ikuno Town, Asago City. Efforts are underway to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status for this region. Normally, the former Ikuno Mine staff dormitory is a tourist facility, but houses number 9 and 19 now also serve as special accommodation facilities. These are facilities where guests can experience a trip back in time and ponder about what life was like in the Meiji era. Normally, the former Ikuno Mine staff dormitory (Koushataku ) is a tour facility, including the administration building on the premises. Accommodation is available in buildings 9 and 19, both of which are nostalgic buildings from the Meiji era. Guests can enjoy the life and culture of the mining town while remembering the past.

Guests can freely and leisurely explore Ikuno town and its Silver Mining history. Discover the rest of what Asago City has to offer such as the Takeda Castle ruins which are a sight to behold during autumn with a sea of clouds surrounding the ruins in the early morning. In addition, the area retains a vast amount of nature and over 1200 years of history, including some interesting French influences from the industrialization period.