Nobeyamaso, a cat inn in Nobeyama Highland, Nagano | A highland inn with a library where resident cats can relax

This article is a research guide based on the Nobeyamaso official website and current reservation information as of 2026-08-19. This is not an actual accommodation coverage article. The resident cat’s presence, physical condition, range of activity, and accommodation conditions may change, so please check the latest information before making a reservation.

Yatsugatake Kogen Ryokan Nobeyamaso in Minami-Maki Village, Minami-Saku District, Nagano Prefecture, is a Japanese-style inn founded in Showa 34. Today it is a small inn supported by the couple who run it and their beloved dog and cat. The library inside the inn has an entrance and exit for cats, and resident cats may be relaxing there.

It’s conveniently located for a highland inn, about a 3-minute walk from Nobeyama Station, and guests are generally advised to stay overnight without meals or with breakfast included. It is also an inn where you can stay with your own pet, but in this article we will focus on the distance from the cats that live at the inn.

Resident cat sometimes appears in the library

The official website introduces the current Nobeyamaso as an inn that is supported by a husband and his wife and their beloved dog and cat. Inside the Inn information clearly states that there is a cat door at the entrance to the library cafe on the second floor, where cats may hang out.

You can see the cat appearing in the common space of its own accord, but there is no guidance to visit the guest room. Therefore, Neko Yado Research classifies it as B “inside the inn, where you can interact in a dedicated space.”

The names, number, and daily whereabouts of resident cats cannot be confirmed from the current official page alone. Since cats appearing in old reservation information or reviews are not necessarily still present, this article does not make any assumptions. If meeting a cat is important to you, please check with the inn about their current status before making a reservation.

Library cafe where you can spend time while waiting for the cat

The library cafe has an electric fireplace and a self-service coffee machine, so you can spend time reading. Rather than chasing the cat around inside the inn, it would be better to spend some quiet time in the library and wait for the cat to appear on its own, which would fit the atmosphere of the inn better.

Inside the inn, there is also a dining room, a hall, a self-bar, a terrace, a table tennis room, and a shared room with a microwave and kettle. Opening hours and whether pets are allowed vary by location, so please follow local instructions.

Multiple guest room types, mainly Japanese-style rooms

The main building has a guest room that combines a 10 tatami Japanese-style room and a living room, and a guest room that has a Japanese-style room and twin beds. In the annex, there are 15 tatami Japanese-style rooms with reduced steps, 7.5 tatami Japanese-style rooms that can accommodate 1 to 3 people, and 8-tatami Japanese rooms with baths and toilets.

According to the official website, basically all rooms have a history of pets staying there. Cleaning is in progress, but those with animal allergies should consider this carefully. Also note that resident cat does not mean entering the guest room.

Since you can see guest rooms that can be used by just one person, we have added the attribute “Suitable for solo travelers”. However, you need to check the dates and prices that can be reserved for one person on the reservation screen.

Room without meals or breakfast included

Accommodation plans mainly include a room without meals and breakfast, but dinner is not provided. If breakfast is included, you will have a Japanese breakfast in the dining room. We advise guests to stay for up to three consecutive nights, and during consecutive nights, staff will not enter the guest room and will prepare the necessary equipment for the number of nights.

Have dinner outside or buy it and bring it in. Shared rooms have microwaves and pots, but they are not advertised as full-fledged self-catering facilities. It’s best to check in advance the business days of nearby restaurants and where you can purchase them.

Pets are allowed, but this is not an exclusive accommodation.

Nobeyamaso has been accepting pets with guests since 1998. Small dogs, cats, and ferrets are accommodated in all rooms, and medium-sized dogs and above will be accommodated in the designated guest room on the 1st floor. Be sure to check the official pet guide before bringing your pet, as there are requirements such as vaccinations, toilet training, and inside-the-inn travel.

On the other hand, it is not a pet-only accommodation, and is also used by guests who do not bring animals with them. We cannot confirm that it is okay to bring resident cats and companion pets close together, so please do not let them face each other and follow the instructions of the accommodation staff first.

About 3 minutes walk from JR Nobeyama Station

The location is 693 Nobeyama, Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku District. It is approximately a 3-minute walk from Nobeyama Station on the JR Koumi Line, and falls under Neko Yado Research’s “walking distance from the station” category. There are also 15 free parking spaces available.

Nobeyama is at a high altitude, and the temperature and road conditions vary greatly depending on the season. In winter, check the operating status of railways and roads, check the cold weather equipment, and prepare shoes that can withstand snow even when walking.

Suitable people and things to note before making a reservation

Suitable people

• Someone who can spend time quietly in the library and wait for the resident cat to appear.
• People looking for a lodging in the highland that is walkable from Nobeyama Station
• People who want to flexibly plan their itinerary by traveling alone, staying overnight, or including breakfast.
• People who can abide by the conditions for staying with their pets

People who need confirmation before making a reservation

• People who require interaction with resident cats and guest-room visits
• People with animal allergies
• People looking for plans that include dinner or full-fledged self-catering facilities
• People who want to meet their companion pet with a resident cat
• People visiting by public transportation or on foot during the winter

Basic information

Summary

Nobeyamaso is a Japanese-style inn overlooking Mt. Yatsugatake, where resident cats may be seen in the library and common areas. Rather than searching for cats, it suits you best to enjoy books and the highland atmosphere, and quietly share the space only when a cat is present.

The current names, number of resident cats, and times to meet them cannot be confirmed from the official page. If meeting cats is important to you, please inquire with the inn about the current status of the cats and the rules for interacting with them before booking.

Related articles

• List of cat accommodations in Nagano Prefecture
• Summary of cat accommodations suitable for solo travelers
• How to spend time when a resident cat is hiding

Sources

• Nobeyamaso official website
• Nobeyamaso・inside the inn
• Nobeyamaso・guest room
• Nobeyamaso/For those with pets
• Jalan・Nobeyamaso