Dear Customers
Thank you for your continued patronage of Ryokan Matsuzawaya.
As always, we place the highest priority on the health and safety of our customers.
As the situation regarding the new COVID-19 changes daily,
we will do our utmost to ensure that our customers can enjoy their trip safely.
We will strive for maximum flexibility.
Ryokan Matsuzawaya owner
The History of 100 years
Ryokan Matsuzawaya
In the early Showa period, there was a business woman named Chiyo Isobe
who set up a "food stand" while raising a child as a single mother.
At that time, there were many stands along the river.
The woman demonstrated her business merits and made significant profits.
As the business grew, it quickly became a larger food establishment.
Among the various dishes, handmade Udon and Sushi were very popular
and the business became even more prosperous.
Chiyo Isobe
She decided to purchase more land to expand the establishment.
Then, when negotiating with the landowner, he said,
“If it is you, I will gladly give this land,
as it will bring you and your child prosperity.”
Just as he had stated,
things progressed rapidly and brought us site to its completed state.
Now, it is possible to see the beautiful sea in this way
thanks to the generosity of this landlord.
This business woman was
the mother of a daughter named Sawako, who was the founder of Matsuzawaya.
She built the foundations of the present Matsuzawaya
and gave them to Sawako.
Without the strong determination of Chiyo,
the “Ryokan Matsuzawaya” as it exists today would never have been born.
We have built a history with deep appreciation for valuing the family business
and land that have been handed down from generation to generation.
Sawako founded the Japanese traditional hotel,
knows as "Ryokan," at a mere 16 years of age
transforming it from what was once a simple dining establishment.
As an aside, the name "Matsuzawaya" was created by Sawako's mother.
"Matsu" means "pine tree" and represents longevity and good fortune.
And we took Sawako's" Sawa "and named it" Matsuzawaya ".
In combination of these words and meanings,
it was then named “Ryokan Matsuzawaya”.
Sawako Isobe
At that time, most of the customers were pilgrims.
They traveled to temples in Chita & Shikoku area related to Ambassador Kobo.
Sometimes 60 people stayed at Matsuzawaya at once.
Still, Sawako served and cooked alone for the large number of guests.
It's no exaggeration to say that without her,
there would be no Ryokan Matsuzawaya.
Thanks to her dedication,
Ryokan Matsuzawaya has been loved by everyone.
Until the last moment,
Sawako was loved as a mascot character of Matsuzawaya.
The third generation, who inherited Matsuzawaya from Sawako,
was Nakaji Isobe, the eldest son of Sawako.
When Nakaji graduated from junior high school,
he left the local area and began to follow the path of the cook.
After many years of training at a long established restaurant in Nagoya,
he had a career as a chef while polishing his skills and senses.
But when Sawako retired, he moved back to Minami Chita Town
and took over Ryokan Matsuzawaya.
Nakaji Isobe
Nakaji wanted to do more business, but he immediately hit a big wall.
Because he had trained in Nagoya, he was unfamiliar with the local taste.
He realized the difference and decided to adjust the style and taste of his cooking,
learning from his mother Sawako.
More than simply adjusting the style of food,
he changed the entire menu arrangement and structure.
After much trial and error, with great efforts being made,
the popular Ryokan Matsuzawaya was revived.
In addition, an unexpected synergistic effect occurred.
Those guests who were regulars of Nakaji in the Nagoya
often visited the Ryokan Matsuzawaya.
Thus the result was even more lively.
In particular, his “soup” was highly appreciated by many customers.
Nakaji had a very gentle personality,
but was very passionate about his friendships.
Therefore he never hesitated to share his knowledge and techniques
with the local cooks and managers, even helping with their menus.
It's a certainty to state that he contributed vigorously
to the entire Ryokan business in Minamichita Town.
Nakaji truly was a man who always worked in a humble manner
and had a strong pride in being a cook.
The whole family still feels the impact of his existence.
Matsuzawaya has carved out history while shaping the lives of
the members that have continued to take over the family business.
In this regard, there is no doubt that it is the Grand Landlady
who has brought more prosperity to Matsuzawaya.
The landlady named Masumi,
has been living a very magnificent life since childhood.
Masumi was born and raised in a merchant family in Kani city, Gifu.
She was a talented painter and she dreamed of studying in France.
Masumi Isobe
A father who felt the potential of her talent
and encouraged her to go to France after graduation.
She was just a girl who was excited by such expectations of the future.
However she had to go through a tragedy at a young age.
When Masumi was 10, her mother passed away because of illness.
She thought very deeply about her mothers early parting.
In particular, viewing her classmates relationships with their mothers
as they tied their daughters hair, brought her pain.
Furthermore, the first and second world wars broke out
and her brothers were sent to the battlefield as soldiers.
Miraculously all her brothers came home alive and well.
She was filled with relief and joy at that time.
Suddenly, however, a great sadness filled Masumi's heart again
as her father then passed away because of illness.
This was particularly difficult
as she had built strong memories of her father's great character.
She lost both of her parents by age only 12.
Unfortunately, without the time to grieve for her father,
a terrible reality attacked her.
Masumi's father was a fine business man who nurtured his employees,
yet at the moment of his passing,
all those employees attitudes drastically changed for the worst
and they took all the assets. Even the house where they lived was lost.
At that time, Masumi realized that
“You have to push forward with your own power without relying on others.”
While the other brothers were taken over by unfamiliar relatives,
Masumi's sister-in-law who believed in her potential
decided to take Masumi in her care.
Masumi's sister-in-law ensured she stayed in school,
knowing the hardship and embarrassment that would follow if she didn't go.
Masumi went to school while working every day.
She graduated with an excellent grade,
ranked 2nd in her school and went to work for a large company.
She demonstrated a strong leadership in the company,
was relied on by her boss and adored by her subordinates.
After her retirement due to marriage,
some people continued to visit Ryokan Matsuzawaya to talk to her.
She lost her parents before becoming a teenager
and even then knew the disappointment of being surrounded
by uncaring and selfish adults.
She has lived gritting her teeth and believing only in herself.
A strength that deserves praise.
The great landlady Masumi who ran through a magnificent life
has become the light of hope for many people.
Matsuzawaya's prosperity was all but ensured.
The existence of Masumi became the “treasure” of us
and attracted many customers.
Through Masumi's great affinity for business,
and in conjunction with Nakaji's great craftsmanship,
For everyone, her presence is a light of hope and a beating heart.
Countless people who have felt the encouragement
pressed into their hearts by the strength and kindness of her message.
All those touched by her are filled with sincere gratitude.
She is a living legend for all of us Ryokan Matsuzawaya.
Kazuko Sato
Born in the Chita Peninsula in the Showa era
and spent her childhood in Nagoya.
When she entered elementary school,
she moved back to Katana, Chita Peninsula.
After spending time there in elementary school,
junior high school and high school,
she started living in Nagoya again after entering university.
After graduating from university,
she was taking bridal training while helping the family business.
At the age of 24, she got married.
When she became 28,
she started working as a teacher in high school.
However she gave a birth in the following year
so decided to become a full-time housewife.
To the child who was given in the 7th year of marriage,
she enjoyed raising a child at her 200% for about 10 years.
When the eldest daughter was 8,
she returned to be a teacher.
Since then, for 23 years,
she has taught English at junior high and high schools.
In addition, she also was engaged in work
specializing in teaching at English schools and cram schools.
She has made a huge contribution to Education in Japan
dedicating the 23 years of her life.
In her private life, she has taken a class to learn "Counseling "
at the Japan Mental Health Association.
Recently she has become a "Spiritual Life Coach"
certificated by Spiritual Life Coach Association.
She is full of curiosity to learn new things.
In 2022,
she has made the biggest decision; retiring from a teacher.
Now that she works as a spiritual life coach to enrich people's lives
by using her abilities of channeling and counseling.
She is going to make some positive changes in Matsuzawaya
and would love to provide even better environment to customers
working with her younger brother (a chief of Ryokan Matsuzawaya)
Please come to Ryokan Matsuzawaya with full of new energy.
Matsuzawaya
Untold Stories
One day, a shabbily man came to visit Matsuzawaya.
Apparently,
he came to us because he was refused by several other ryokans.
While Masumi (the Grand Landlady) wasn't sure what to do,
Sawako (the Founder) never hesitated to accept him.
When the Grand Landlady asked why the Founder made the decision.
She responded this;
"No matter what a person looks like.
From the moment they step into Matsuzawaya, they are important customer for us.
Therefore we treat everyone equally with great hospitality and respect"
Upon hearing that, Masumi was impressed and decided to take over the policy.
Even if there wasn't a strong awareness of Equality in our society yet,
Sawako was faithful to the spirit of "Treating customers equally".
She left us such an important lesson in the service industry.
Nakaji (the 3rd generation) was a person who couldn't help saving people in need.
One day, this random bus driver stalled a bus in front of our ryokan
and started asking us a favor.
"Could you lend me some money? I will definitely return it."
It was a very abrupt favor and all of us were in shock.
Masumi (the Grand Landlady) warned Nakaji.
He must have intentionally stalled the bus to ask for money.
Therefore she suggested Nakaji to decline.
However, he believed in the words of the bus driver and handed over the money.
If someone is in trouble, why don't you help?
Would it even matter if the money doesn't come back?
Nakaji always valued humanity rather than how successful/wealthy he was.
He was quiet yet a very warm and wonderful person.
When the Grand Landlady was active, this family came to Matsuzawaya looking depressed.
She didn't ask the reason and treated them with the usual hospitality.
But the husband couldn't hold it any longer and bursted out crying in front of her.
He started sharing his story with her,
My business is in jeopardy and I think the only option I have is to die with my family.
This is why I wanted to come here for the very last time.
and Masumi said to him;
You have a BEAUTIFUL family.
Don't you think it is too early to give up?
After the conversation,
he seemed to feel better and left the room with a big smile on his face.
Next day, the family left Matsuzawaya.
A few days later, however.
We received a phone call from the husband.
Thank you very much, Grand Landlady.
After we left your ryokan, we paid a visit to the place in Katana
where the white snake lives (white snake represents fortune).
I thought I'd like to try my luck.
Then a white snake really appeared in front of us. We were very surprised.
But another big surprised happened when we arrived home.
Suddenly, some investors showed up to help my business and now it's going very well.
Thank you very much.
It sounds surreal or almost a miracle but it's an actual event that happened.
After this event, the family has used our ryokan many many times.
Kamidana is enshrined at the entrance of Matsuzawaya.
However, it has not always been displayed.
In fact, we installed it just a few years ago.
Kazuko (the Landlady) learned Spirituality 2 years ago
and started practicing to channel with her Higher-self.
Then one day she received a message from the Gods of our land.
We want you to build a Kamidana.
Please install it in the direction where you can see the Sea.
Then pray to thank us and everyone who protects the Ryokan.
She was also told that ※Shintai could be anything.
Therefore we chose something from the Sea in Katana.
※An object to worship in Shinto
We have felt/witnessed indescribable power or events many times
but we never really understood what was happening.
Therefore, we are very grateful to be aware of those beings who are watching over us all those years. We all feel a very deep gratitude.