Yunomori Hotel Shidotaira (Representative Director: Kubota Takehira), operated by Shidotaira Onsen Co., Ltd., has renovated the hotel's kids space "Oka no Hiroba" (Hill Plaza) to provide new value to guests. The renovation was supervised by Otomokuzai, a forestry and timber company with 120 years of history in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.
*For details, please refer to "Renovation Details" at the bottom of this article.
About Otomokuzai
Founded in 1905, Otomokuzai is a timber company in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, with 120 years of tradition, striving to become "the coolest timber company in the world." In addition to raw material production and wood processing, they operate the "Hanamaki Toy Museum" at Marukan Building, expanding their business across multiple fields. They also supervised our hotel's wood education plaza "Asobi no Mori," making this their third project with our facility.
Official Website: https://www.otomoku.co.jp/
Location: 3-50 Hanashiro-cho, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture 025-0075
Background and Purpose of the Renovation
Yunomori Hotel Shidotaira operates under the concept of "A rejuvenating valley resort away from everyday life," targeting family customers. With a history of 195 years, the hotel serves as a "regional media" to convey the appeal of Iwate's attractive materials, companies, and producers' thoughts, creating regional fans and giving back to the community that has supported us.
Since the opening of the buffet restaurant "Live×Buffet Hikari no Mori" in 2020, we have continued to provide new accommodation experiences to guests through various renovations and services.
| Year | Major Achievements |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Entertainment×Buffet Restaurant "Live×Buffet Hikari no Mori" opened. Concept changed to "A rejuvenating valley resort away from everyday life." |
| 2021 | "Valley Lounge" offering local wines, fruit liquors, and spectacular valley views across the four seasons; "Oka no Hiroba" featuring a Dutch-style trick windmill by Satou Woodwork Studio as a symbol; and "Asobi no Mori," supervised by Hanamaki Toy Museum with warmly wooden toys, all opened. |
| 2022 | New guest rooms "Keiryu Series" started, offering stylish modern design with Japanese and Western aesthetics. |
| 2023 | New riverside rooms "Keiryu Washitsu" with Ryukyu tatami started; Finnish-style sauna "Cave Sauna" using lava stones from Mt. Iwate; and "Gacha Mon no Mori," an all-Iwate capsule toy space supervised by Otomokuzai and featuring designs by Ogasawara Yuudai, designer of Iwate Prefecture's official character "Wanko Brothers," opened. |
| 2024 | "Hikari no Marche" salad corner in the buffet delivering farmers' thoughts and fresh vegetables to guests; "Wood Education Toy Plaza" event featuring toys from Hanamaki Toy Museum gathering at Oka no Hiroba; Finnish-style sauna "Cave Sauna" opened with METOS iki heater and approximately 250 kg of Mt. Iwate lava stones; certified as the 100th "Welcome Baby Inn" by Mikihouse Child Rearing Research Institute and started offering Welcome Baby certified guest rooms. |
| 2025 | "Backyard Tour" guiding guests through staff-only passages and offices behind the scenes; new regional collaboration initiative [Regional Collaboration/First] "Live×Buffet Hikari no Mori" × "Shirogane Pork" Christmas Collaboration Fair held. |
| 2026 | [Regional Collaboration/Second] "Strawberry Fair 2026" using dairy products from four prefectural dairy manufacturers; [Regional Collaboration/Third] Event (currently under planning)...etc |
However, we received multiple survey responses from guests stating "there are few indoor play spaces" and "we want a place where babies can crawl safely." There are also limited indoor play facilities in Hanamaki City. Additionally, at "Oka no Hiroba," energetic elementary school students and babies were playing in the same space, which sometimes led to concerning situations.
Based on this valuable feedback, and as a hotel certified as a Welcome Baby Inn, we decided to renovate "Oka no Hiroba," with the primary goal of creating an environment where children can spend time comfortably and parents can watch over them with peace of mind.
What is a Welcome Baby Inn?
Certified staff from Mikihouse Child Rearing Research Institute conduct on-site surveys and assessments during a 1-night-2-day stay, certifying facilities that meet 70 or more out of 100 certification items created based on mothers' opinions and expert research. This initiative promotes facilities friendly to child-rearing families, supporting mothers and children to enjoy outings and leisure more easily.
Details of "Oka no Hiroba" Renovation
New Iwate Hanamaki-Inspired Baby Plaza!
A dedicated area for children aged 0-1 years old. The floor uses wood with a pleasant texture suitable for crawling. The new Baby Plaza allows for separate play areas for elementary school students and babies.
As the symbol of the Baby Plaza, the "Deha 3" horse-face trolley car of the Hanamaki Electric Railway, which used to run in front of the hotel, has been installed. Carrying thoughts of Shidotaira Onsen's history, it departs toward a future filled with children's smiles.
About the Hanamaki Electric Railway's Old Car "Deha 3"
In the early Taisho period, the Hanamaki Electric Railway opened as the first electric railway in Tohoku and the only means of transportation connecting the hot spring towns scattered throughout Hanamaki with Hanamaki Station. It was used and loved by many people, carrying spa visitors and commuters. Due to borrowing part of the prefectural road as its tracks, there was a maximum width restriction of 1.6m, making it so narrow that passengers sitting on opposite sides would touch knees, earning it the nickname "horse-face trolley car." It was later designated as a Modern Industrial Heritage site by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in February 2009.
*Reference: Hanamaki City, "Hanamaki Electric Railway Tracks, Hanamaki Electric Railway Old Car Deha 3"
There was also a "Shidotaira Onsen Stop" in front of Yunomori Hotel Shidotaira. It is an important car in telling the history of Shidotaira Onsen.
Carpet Area Where You Can Play Barefoot!
The previously shoe-friendly area has been transformed into a barefoot play area.
The entire floor is carpeted, providing safety when children fall.
Babies can now crawl and play during the "Wood Education Toy Plaza" events, whereas previously they had to be held.
New Watching Benches & Side Tables!
New benches and side tables have been installed so parents can sit and watch their energetic children playing.
The benches are also ideal for watching children in the indoor pool from Oka no Hiroba.
Other Attractions of "Oka no Hiroba"
The Symbol of Oka no Hiroba! One-of-a-Kind Dutch-Style Trick Windmill
A large Dutch-style trick windmill created by Satou Tsukasa of Satou Woodwork Studio.
Inside the windmill are cute Tomte characters! In Northern Europe, they are considered small spirits that watch over people's lives. What are the Tomte doing inside the windmill?
About Satou Woodwork Studio
Based in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, creating and selling works using wood. Products are sold to local hotels, kindergartens, and more. All of Mr. Satou's creations are handmade, making each piece one-of-a-kind.
At Yunomori Hotel Shidotaira, they have created many decorative items including Tomte and trick mechanisms.
Wooden Egg Pool Where You Feel the Warmth and Scent of Wood Throughout Your Body
An homage to the popular wooden egg area "Hiyu no Mori" at Hanamaki Toy Museum. 2,500 wooden eggs welcome guests.
Bury yourself in the wooden eggs or find your favorite patterns - the ways to enjoy are endless.
Daily Event! Wood Education Toy Plaza
A highly popular event featuring toys coordinated by Hanamaki Toy Museum. Wooden toys have warmth and contain many elements that stimulate the five senses, gently supporting children's development.
Our hotel staff are present to play with children and provide advice on how to play. Over 20 toys, mainly selected as "Good Toys," are displayed at Oka no Hiroba.
*Childcare services are not provided
What is Good Toy?
Selected and certified by the "Certified NPO Art and Play Creation Association," established to promote toy culture and play culture, together with toy consultants nationwide. Selection and certification are based on three criteria: "healthy," "long-selling," and "respecting play and communication."
Future Outlook
Yunomori Hotel Shidotaira will continue to sincerely listen to guest feedback while working with local companies to convey the appeal of Iwate Hanamaki, striving to become a "regional media."
From November 7 to December 25, 2025, we held a Christmas collaboration buffet with Kogen Seibaku Co., Ltd., producers of Hanamaki's brand pork "Shirogane Pork."
*This event has now ended.
Currently, during the period from January 15 to April 5, 2026, we are holding the "Strawberry Fair 2026" using dairy products from four prefectural dairy manufacturers! Please enjoy the happy times woven by strawberries and milk.
During the Easter period starting in April, we are planning Regional Collaboration/Third Event. Details will be announced later. Stay tuned.
Customer Inquiries & Reservations:
Shidotaira Onsen General Reservation Center
Phone: 0570-026-410 (Reservation hours: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM)
