How It Started
From City Life to the Japanese Alps
Inaka Adventures is run by Michael & Naoko — Baconnito Enterprise — after more than two decades working in the city between London and Tokyo. We wanted a life closer to the mountains, the lake, and the rhythm of the Japanese countryside (inaka), so we found Shinanomachi and never really left.
Most days start early here — whether it’s a walk round the chalets before guests wake up, or a dawn lap in the backcountry.
Two Chalets, by Lake Nojiri
Sugakawa Base and our Nojiriko chalet were both tired, dated houses when we found them. We renovated both ourselves, room by room, in partnership with local experts — and in particular the expert eye of Justin at OnPoint Madarao Renovations — and now hold approved minpaku licenses to welcome guests properly. They’re not a chain of identical rentals — they’re our own houses, fixed up for comfort and adventure & positioned perfectly to enjoy Myoko Togakushi Renzan National Park all year round.
Our Own Basecamp at Furumi
Just up the road is our own weekend home — with the Furumi Sportsbar and a kicker park in the yard. It’s where the whole Inaka Adventures idea really started: friends over, a fire going, and a jump line for anyone brave enough after a day on the slopes. It’s personal, not part of the rental line-up, but it’s very much part of who we are.
Why Shinanomachi
This corner of Nagano gave us exactly what we were chasing: legendary powder minutes from Myoko, Madarao and Nojiriko in winter, and Lake Nojiri right on the doorstep in summer. Somewhere between the two seasons is a slower, more local pace of life — and that’s what we’re building Inaka Adventures around.