Wanoi Kakunodate

It’s not hard to find Japanese hotels that aim to preserve tradition, but Wanoi Kakunodate takes it further than most — the Wanoi name, after all, is an archaic word for “Japanese way of life.” This collection of three old houses in the Akita prefecture town of Kakunodate aims for a time-travel experience, each one a meticulous preservation of its former use: one a pickle storehouse, another a fabric shop, and a third, most improbably, a samurai’s residence. A bento-style breakfast accompanies the throwback vibe and historic atmosphere; for lunch and dinner your hosts are happy to recommend Kakunodate’s finest purveyors.