The inn is an extension of your life 65 years after my grandmother's boarding house, we have taken over the entire atmosphere of the inn. The inn has restarted in Shiraoi

　Ryokan Ogita (Shiraoi-cho, Hokkaido) relaunched its website and co-working space on Thursday, March 19, 2026, with a new concept, "Another Family Home in the City. Mieko and other members of the Ogita family continue to be involved in the operation.

　Ryokan Ogita has no boundary between business and daily life. The inn, located in front of JR Shiraoi Station in Shiraoi-cho, Hokkaido, began as a boarding house run by the grandparents of the former proprietress, Mieko. The inn's atmosphere has been passed down for 65 years.

Ryokan Ogita staff (from right to left: Mieko Ogita, the third-generation proprietress; Mana, her daughter; Mana's son; and Konno Denki Representative Kaneno)

Inn as an extension of daily life" started from grandmother's boarding house

　Ryokan Ogita's origins can be traced back to 1960 when it opened a boarding house. It was 10 years later that we obtained a license for the inn business, and the starting point of the business category was "to provide a place to live. Rather than having hospitality professionals create an extraordinary experience, "people from outside are allowed to mix in with the daily lives of the people who live here"-this structure has been built up over three generations since my grandmother's generation.

　Such a structure has been built up over three generations since my grandmother's generation. Places where living and lodging are combined were commonplace in Japan in the past. What makes Ryokan Ogita stand out in this day and age is that it has consciously redefined its essence as a concept and is passing it on to the next generation. 65 years of time and the atmosphere built up by the Ogita family's lifestyle itself cannot be intentionally created.

Ryokan OGITA exterior1

Succession established on the premise of "continuation of daily life

　While the loss of local resources due to the absence of successors has become an issue throughout Japan, the succession of Ryokan Ogita was also an experiment. Daisuke Kinno, the representative of Konno Denki, who took over the business, had a connection with the inn. His grandfather had been involved in the renovation of the ryokan as a carpenter, and this local connection over half a century was one of the motivating factors in his decision to take over the business.

　What is important is that Mieko and the rest of the Ogita family remained on site after the succession. This was not simply a business succession, but a succession based on the premise of "continuation of daily life. This structure is the result of a search for a way to pass on the inn to the next generation while preserving the atmosphere that was the essence of the inn.

Living in the town" - for travelers who want to experience the local atmosphere

　Travel needs are changing. Rather than extraordinary perfection or luxurious experiences, people who want to experience the actual atmosphere of a place and naturally interact with the local people are increasing. Ryokan Ogita's essence of "living and lodging as one" functions as a place that responds to these needs in a way that is not fictional.

　The new concept, "Another Family Home in the Town," is a verbalization of this essence. A place where not only guests but also local residents can casually drop in and be welcomed with family-like warmth - this is not a new direction, but rather a reinterpretation in the language of 2026 of what has continued since my grandmother's boarding house. Programs to connect with the town, such as exchange events with residents and collaborations with local artists, will be developed sequentially.

New co-working space: Incorporating design concepts into the "space

　As a device to give shape to the concept, a coworking space will be newly established on the same day within the accommodation facilities. Here, too, the design principle of "people from outside and people who live here are in the same place" is carried through.

　For remote workers and workers on vacation who come from outside, it will be a base where they can work and get involved with the local community while staying in Shiraoi. For local residents, it is a daily place where they can bring their meetings and activities. By designing a space that is equally open to both, we intentionally create a situation where travelers and residents can naturally mingle.

Co-working space image

Comment by proprietress (Mieko Ogita)

I am relieved to have taken over the inn in good shape. There are many guests who have been using the inn since they were children, and I am happy to be able to welcome them back at the inn in the same way as before, although the way I have been involved has changed. Recently, we have been receiving a few overseas guests here and there, and I would like to enjoy the efforts that lie ahead under the new structure.

Outline of Ryokan Ogita

Facility name: Ryokan Ogita

Location ： 2-2-2 Higashi-machi, Shirao-cho, Shirao-gun, Hokkaido

Access : 3-minute walk from JR Shiraoi Station

Management ： Konno Denki Limited Liability Company (Representative: Daisuke Kinno)

Facilities: Accommodation (all rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi), coworking space, event space, and a restaurant.

　　　　　　　 Event space

Tel: 0144-82-2330

Website : https://ryokan-ogita.jp

Opening date: March 12, 2026 (Thursday)