A Historic 170-Year-Old Merchant’s House Hotel with Flowing Spring Water – Limited to 2 Stays per Day
A renovated cotton wholesaler’s residence from the late Edo period, built 170 years ago — the Former Horibe Residence
We have opened “Mio”, a multi-purpose facility featuring a hotel, café, and coworking space, renovated from the Former Horibe Residence, a late Edo period townhouse located along Manmachi Arcade in Shimabara City, Nagasaki.
A Cotton Wholesaler Since the Edo Period
The Former Horibe Residence was built in 1848 (Kaei 1). Located in Yorozu-machi, the merchant district nearest to Shimabara Castle’s main gate, the house is a historical building that conveys the vibrancy of the merchant culture of the time.
The Yorozu-machi Arcade itself is unique, with water channels running on both sides. Traditionally, the seawards channel was used for drinking water, while the mountain-side channel was for washing tools. Here you can still experience the traditional lifestyle of living side by side with spring water.
Yorozuーmachi – a merchant town with a 170-year history
Pure spring water flowing through the building
Guest Rooms with Gardens and Flowing Spring Water
We created just two guest rooms facing the “Yūsui Garden”, where pure spring water flows directly through the property.
Shimabara, surrounded by Mt. Unzen and the Ariake Sea, is known as the “City of Water,” with natural springs bubbling up throughout the town. Here, guests can enjoy a relaxing stay while fully experiencing Shimabara’s precious natural resource—its pure spring water.
“Shizuku” Annex – overlooking the garden with flowing spring water
One of the two rooms even retains the remains of a Buddhist altar near the entrance, built originally to show that the residents were not Christians, offering a glimpse into the hidden Christian history of this region.
“Kasumi” Room – featuring a vestige of the former Buddhist altar
Experience Nagasaki’s Design and Culture
Furniture, amenities, and artworks inside the guest rooms have been carefully selected from Nagasaki and surrounding areas.
Guests can enjoy works by artist Rintaro Hashiguchi (Saikai City), glasses designed by the late Kozo Shirotani (Unzen City), Hasami-yaki porcelain coffee cups, and custom furniture by Kawabata Decoration, a workshop that applies shipbuilding techniques to interior design.
“Kasumi” Room – artwork by Rintaro Hashiguchi
Amenities including Hasami-yaki porcelain coffee cups by Hakusan Toki
Furniture crafted by Kawabata Decoration, applying shipbuilding techniques
Café Mio – A Café in the Earthen-Floor Space
The wide earthen-floor space opening onto Manmachi Arcade has been transformed into Café Mio.
We serve coffee brewed with Shimabara’s spring water, kuromitsu lattes, sandwiches, cheesecakes, and more.
Hotel guests receive a complimentary welcome drink
Café Mio Interior
The café serves as a casual gathering place for locals and a source of information for travelers. Our staff act as concierges, sharing dining recommendations and local hidden spots known only to Shimabara residents.
For menu and opening hours, please check our official Instagram:
@cafe_mio_shimabara
Coworking Space “Waku Work”
On the second floor, a cozy attic-like space has been repurposed into a coworking area.
It can be used in many ways—monthly rentals, casual drop-ins, work while sightseeing, or as an everyday third place after school or work. Part of the space also functions as a satellite office for INTERMEDIA, a design studio based in Shimabara and active across Japan, making it a lively hub of creativity.
Coworking space on the 2nd floor
With pricing designed for casual use as an extension of the café, it’s easy to drop in.
No reservation is required, so please feel free to stop by anytime.
Rates
¥400 / 1 hour
¥1,200 / 1 day
¥5,000 / 1 month
Closed: Every Thursday
Hours: Weekdays 12:00–19:00 / Weekends & Holidays 11:00–17:00
Facility Information
Facility Name
Mio Water Heritage Villa
Email Address
Phone Number
Access
NAGASAKISHIMABARA-SHIYOROZUMACHI 503-5
Important Notes
Check-in / Check-out
Check-in
15:00 ~ 20:00
Check-out
~11:00
Policy
Cancellation Policy
Children's Policy
Bed sharing policy
Facilities & Services
Room Facilities & Amenities
Amenities / Facilities / Bathroom
Facilities & Services
Common Area / Food Facility / Pool・Spa / Transport
Facility Precautions
Check-in time
Our check-in reception hours are from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. After 6:00 PM, check-in will be conducted via self check-in. In addition, on Thursdays and Fridays, we operate self check-in only for the entire day. We will send you your PIN code by email one day before you arrive.
When staying with 3 or more adults
When staying with 3 or more adults (including children of junior high school age or older), you will need to sleep on an additional futon. Please note that the space will be somewhat narrower as the futon will be laid out by pushing furniture aside in the living room or in the vacant space on the tatami mats.
Parking
If you set your destination to “Shimoda Antique Shop”, which is next to our parking lot on the map, you will find our parking area on the left side just before the shop. Please note that the road at the parking entrance is one-way and can be a little difficult to find.
When staying with 3 or more adults
When staying with 3 or more adults (including children of junior high school age or older), you will need to sleep on an additional futon. Please note that the space will be somewhat narrower as the futon will be laid out by pushing furniture aside in the living room or in the vacant space on the tatami mats.
If your child is staying
Children 12 years and under may stay free of charge when sharing a bed (no meals or bedding included), up to 2 children per room. Breakfast (same as the adult menu) can be added as an option for bed-sharing children. Guests 13 years and older will be charged the adult rate. Children 12 years and under who require bedding will also be charged the adult rate.
