To our Cherished Guests of Sake Hotel Tamakiya,

Thank you for your continued patronage.

We would like to inform you that our Executive Chef, Akira Kuriyama, will be transferring to our sister facility, “Hotel kamosu mori”, as of January 18, 2026.

“Hotel kamosu mori” is a one-of-a-kind hotel surrounded by a vast forest, located in Matsunoyama, one of Japan's snowiest regions.

This winter, it will become an even more significant location within our group, as a new sake brewery, "Snow Satoyama Sake" (Yuki to Satoyama Jozo-jo), will open right next door, led by Tomomi Duquette.

We have determined that Chef Kuriyama's expertise is essential to support the evolution of this location. This strategic business decision is a challenge to enhance the appeal of our entire group and the Matsunoyama region.

We are taking on this challenge to transform kamosu mori into "Auberge kamosu mori," where guests are invited to freely savor the rich ingredients and culinary traditions of Niigata, surrounded by magnificent nature. We hope you will warmly support Chef Kuriyama in his new endeavor.

Rest assured, Sake Hotel Tamakiya will continue to offer the same level of hospitality and quality cuisine. We have already arranged a successor: the current head chef of kamosu mori, Chef Takahiro Ofuchi. Based on Italian cuisine, Chef Ofuchi's "Satoyama Cuisine" incorporates elements of fermentation and other techniques. He will focus on "sake and food pairing," creating a dining experience that emphasizes new harmonies and pairings with sake.

Furthermore, please note that “Ponshu Hotel Suimu”, which opened in May 2025, is a facility centered around enjoying sake with a free-flow selection of 30 kinds of local Niigata sake. It also features the first cedar sauna in the Matsunoyama hot spring area, which is available for day-use or private reservations. We invite you to experience it during your stay.

The last day for the dining collaboration between Chef Kuriyama and our owner, Yamagishi, at Sake Hotel Tamakiya will be January 17, 2026. We encourage you to visit us and enjoy the culmination of the dining experience they have built together over the past 8 years.

“Auberge Kamosu Mori” is scheduled to have its grand reopening on January 30, 2026.

We will continue to do our best to be a place that makes you want to return. Thank you for your continued support of the Tamakiya Group.

Yuichi Yamagishi CEO

Sake Hotel Tamakiya, Hotel kamosu mori, Ponshu Hotel Suimu