Mio Water Heritage Villa

A Historic 170-Year-Old Merchant’s House Hotel with Flowing Spring Water – Limited to 2 Stays per Day

A renovated cotton wholesaler’s residence from the late Edo period, built 170 years ago — the Former Horibe Residence

We have opened “Mio”, a multi-purpose facility featuring a hotel, café, and coworking space, renovated from the Former Horibe Residence, a late Edo period townhouse located along Manmachi Arcade in Shimabara City, Nagasaki.

A Cotton Wholesaler Since the Edo Period

The Former Horibe Residence was built in 1848 (Kaei 1). Located in Yorozu-machi, the merchant district nearest to Shimabara Castle’s main gate, the house is a historical building that conveys the vibrancy of the merchant culture of the time.

The Yorozu-machi Arcade itself is unique, with water channels running on both sides. Traditionally, the seawards channel was used for drinking water, while the mountain-side channel was for washing tools. Here you can still experience the traditional lifestyle of living side by side with spring water.

Yorozuーmachi – a merchant town with a 170-year history

Pure spring water flowing through the building

Guest Rooms with Gardens and Flowing Spring Water

We created just two guest rooms facing the “Yūsui Garden”, where pure spring water flows directly through the property.

Shimabara, surrounded by Mt. Unzen and the Ariake Sea, is known as the “City of Water,” with natural springs bubbling up throughout the town. Here, guests can enjoy a relaxing stay while fully experiencing Shimabara’s precious natural resource—its pure spring water.

“Shizuku” Annex – overlooking the garden with flowing spring water

One of the two rooms even retains the remains of a Buddhist altar near the entrance, built originally to show that the residents were not Christians, offering a glimpse into the hidden Christian history of this region.

“Kasumi” Room – featuring a vestige of the former Buddhist altar

Experience Nagasaki’s Design and Culture

Furniture, amenities, and artworks inside the guest rooms have been carefully selected from Nagasaki and surrounding areas.

Guests can enjoy works by artist Rintaro Hashiguchi (Saikai City), glasses designed by the late Kozo Shirotani (Unzen City), Hasami-yaki porcelain coffee cups, and custom furniture by Kawabata Decoration, a workshop that applies shipbuilding techniques to interior design.

“Kasumi” Room – artwork by Rintaro Hashiguchi

Amenities including Hasami-yaki porcelain coffee cups by Hakusan Toki

Furniture crafted by Kawabata Decoration, applying shipbuilding techniques

Café Mio – A Café in the Earthen-Floor Space

The wide earthen-floor space opening onto Manmachi Arcade has been transformed into Café Mio.
We serve coffee brewed with Shimabara’s spring water, kuromitsu lattes, sandwiches, cheesecakes, and more.

Hotel guests receive a complimentary welcome drink

Café Mio Interior

The café serves as a casual gathering place for locals and a source of information for travelers. Our staff act as concierges, sharing dining recommendations and local hidden spots known only to Shimabara residents.

For menu and opening hours, please check our official Instagram:
@cafe_mio_shimabara

Coworking Space “Waku Work”

On the second floor, a cozy attic-like space has been repurposed into a coworking area.

It can be used in many ways—monthly rentals, casual drop-ins, work while sightseeing, or as an everyday third place after school or work. Part of the space also functions as a satellite office for INTERMEDIA, a design studio based in Shimabara and active across Japan, making it a lively hub of creativity.