**Guesthouse TANDEM – A Private Whole-House Rental Experience in Downtown Matsumoto**
Nestled in the heart of Matsumoto city, Guesthouse TANDEM offers a unique opportunity to rent the entire traditional Japanese-style house exclusively, available on selected dates. This private rental experience is ideal for those who wish to spend relaxing, uninterrupted time with close friends or family, or for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat to rejuvenate before or after hiking and nature excursions.
At TANDEM, we embrace the concept of “Travel as Living, Living as Yourself,” aiming to provide a stay where guests can feel at home and experience the city as part of their daily life. Our accommodation is carefully renovated from an old Japanese house, featuring abundant use of natural solid wood and a harmonious blend of traditional and modern design elements, creating three uniquely charming Japanese-modern style rooms.
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### A Warm and Inviting Stay with Natural Solid Wood Interiors
The three guest rooms at TANDEM each offer a distinctive atmosphere but share a common thread of warmth, comfort, and natural beauty thanks to the generous use of untreated solid wood, including fragrant cedar. These materials not only provide aesthetic pleasure but also contribute to a naturally regulated indoor climate—absorbing moisture when humidity rises and releasing it during dry periods—ensuring a comfortable environment throughout the year. In winter, the wood helps retain warmth, and in summer, it offers a cooling effect, making the space eco-friendly and inviting.
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### Room 1: Simple and Cozy 4.5-Tatami Mat Room
This room is a modest yet warm space spanning 4.5 tatami mats, featuring natural solid wood finishes throughout. It is furnished with a comfortable double bed (140×200 cm) and a work desk, thoughtfully designed to accommodate travelers who may need to work remotely. For your convenience, the room offers a quiet atmosphere and stable Wi-Fi to support teleworking.
Enjoy your time in this tranquil setting where you can relax after a day of sightseeing or work, surrounded by the natural warmth and simplicity of traditional Japanese materials and a calming interior.
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### Room 2: Spacious Japanese-Modern Style Room
The second room combines traditional aesthetics with modern comfort in a generously sized space suitable for up to four adults. The centerpiece is a thick, 20-cm mattress double bed (140×200 cm) designed for restful sleep for one or two guests. Complementing this is a navy blue sofa bed with a 10-cm mattress measuring 80×173 cm, perfect especially for female guests, offering a cozy and private short-bed space reminiscent of a secret hideaway. For a fourth guest, a traditional futon mattress (100×200 cm) is provided.
This room also features a balcony, where you can unwind by reading or sipping tea while escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. The space envelops you in the soothing scent of cedar wood and the natural textures of earth-toned walls, creating a restorative atmosphere.
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### Room 3: Refined Japanese-Modern Tatami Room
Our third guest room is a sophisticated Japanese-modern space designed with contemporary square tatami mats without borders, giving the room a clean and stylish look. The soft aroma of fresh igusa grass permeates the room, blending traditional sensory comforts with a modern fresh aesthetic.
This room comfortably accommodates up to three guests, with two single beds (100×200 cm) fitted with high-quality, 20-cm thick mattresses to ensure a hotel-like sleeping experience. For a third guest, we provide a futon mattress paired with a traditional Japanese bedding setup.
Underneath the tatami mats, an advanced insulating layer blocks cold air during winter, keeping the room warm and cozy. The furniture includes handmade, original tables crafted from recycled local wood, highlighting our commitment to sustainability. The combination of old and new materials creates a unique ambiance that enriches each guest’s stay, offering a perfect blend of tradition, comfort, and eco-conscious design.
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### The Overall Experience
Guesthouse TANDEM isn’t just a place to sleep—it’s a space designed to feel like your “second home” in Matsumoto. With its authentic wooden pillars, earthen walls, and natural ventilation pathways preserved from the original Japanese house, it offers an atmosphere that feels like stepping into a bygone era while enjoying all the conveniences and design features of modern living.
Located at the gateway to the Northern Japan Alps, Matsumoto serves as a convenient base for visiting famous mountain destinations such as Kamikochi, Norikura, Hakuba, and Mt. Takabotchi. The blend of urban accessibility and close proximity to nature makes TANDEM an ideal starting point for both adventure seekers and city explorers.
Whether you wish to relax quietly in the house, explore the vibrant local townscape, or embark on mountain hikes and outdoor activities, TANDEM provides a warm and welcoming retreat where your unique travel experience begins.
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### Amenities Summary
* **Beds:**
* Double bed: 1 (140×200 cm) * Sofa bed: 1 (80×173 cm) * Single beds (no legs): 2 (100×200 cm) * Futon: 1 set (100×200 cm)
* **Room Features:**
* Work desk available in the smaller room for remote work * Stable Wi-Fi throughout the house * Balcony access from the spacious Japanese-modern room * Natural cedar wood interiors with humidity regulation * High-quality mattresses for comfort and restful sleep * Handcrafted sustainable furniture
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### Sustainability and Local Craftsmanship
TANDEM is proud to incorporate sustainable practices throughout the house. Our original tables are crafted from repurposed local timber, demonstrating a commitment to reducing waste and honoring the history embedded in our materials. The traditional igusa grass tatami mats are carefully maintained to preserve their natural fragrance and texture, providing a sensory connection to Japanese culture and craftsmanship.
This attention to detail allows guests to experience a stay that is not only comfortable but also respectful of the environment and local heritage.
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### Final Thoughts
At Guesthouse TANDEM, we aim to provide more than just accommodation — we offer a lifestyle experience where guests can feel at home in a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity. Here, you can truly enjoy “living as you travel,” creating memories in a peaceful and inspiring setting.
We look forward to welcoming you and helping you discover the charm of Matsumoto and its stunning surroundings.