Karuizawa Chibaya

History of the Chiba Family

The Chiba family, established in Nihonbashi in the 35th year of the Meiji era (1902), thrived as a Japanese restaurant and was cherished as a renowned establishment visited by many notable figures. However, due to the impact of the oil crisis, customer numbers drastically declined, leading to a business restructuring. In the 49th year of the Showa era, "Chiba Family" regretfully closed its doors. Subsequently, they shifted from the restaurant business to real estate leasing, continuing to this day.

120th Anniversary Commemorative Project

In 2022, marking the 120th anniversary of its founding, the Chiba family launched the "Five Highways Project" as a commemorative initiative. Just as numerous inns once dotted the Five Highways originating from Nihonbashi, providing rest for many travelers, this project embodies the desire to offer "a place of relaxation with excellent access to the city" in modern times. As the first endeavor of this project, the Chiba family opened a private villa, "Karuizawa Chibaya," in Oiwake, Karuizawa Town, which was historically the 20th post town on the old Nakasendo route. We also feel a special connection to the painter Seiji Togo, who was a great patron of "Japanese Cuisine Chibaya" and had an atelier in Karuizawa.

The former Chiba family building, once a traditional Japanese restaurant, showcased a quintessential Showa-era aesthetic adorned with an abundance of fine wood. When designing "Karuizawa Chibaya," we aimed to create a modern and elegant space while drawing inspiration from the "Showa retro" charm of that time. Incorporating elements of the original layout, we installed features such as a spacious kitchen table and a dining table arranged around a traditional irori hearth. The interior exudes a sense of openness and warmth, reminiscent of the lively atmosphere of the restaurant's founding days.