Escape to Japan at Yamagoya Cabin, a serene Catskills mountain retreat blending Japanese tradition with modern Japandi design. Forest bathe on the deck amongst stunning mountain vistas. Immerse in cultural richness in our tatami room and sleep Japanese style on shikibutons. Enjoy a magical meal under chochin lanterns. Gather around the firepit under a blanket of stars or be cozy by the fireplace. Adventure is minutes away with hiking, dining, shops and more.
See our ig "yamagoyacabin" for more!
The space
Follow us on IG at @yamagoyacabin to see more about the cabin, Japan, and the area.
Yamagoya Cabin means mountain hut, and we embrace that simplicity in its truest sense. This is a peaceful sanctuary and place for tea, reflection, and watching the wind move through the trees. Trade the city noise for a summer retreat filled with the relaxing sound of birdsong, cooler mountain evenings, and golden sunsets surrounded by nature. Enjoy the beauty of lush ferns, greenery, wildflowers, and the quiet rhythm of the forest in summer.
We are located in the beautiful Denver-Vega valley area of the Western Catskill mountains with the perfect balance of privacy, yet convenience to shops, restaurants and various outdoor adventures. Head to Belleayre beach just 15 minutes away for a refreshing swim, or take a dip in nearby streams.
The moment you arrive you will feel a sense of calm as you enjoy this beautifully designed space. Featuring minimal, modern Japandi and traditional Japanese design with personalized details and treasures collected from Japan throughout. The space includes a zen garden under the stairs, and tatami room/meditation space in the loft. Allow your mind and body to be refreshed with the calming "fresh grass-like" scent of the tatami. Slip into our yukata robes and relax. Every detail is meant to help you unwind and reset during your time here. It's a humbling and refreshing experience meant to reflect and unplug.
You can also relax and enjoy our outdoor space in 1.5 private acres of forest surroundings and beautiful mountain views. Our spacious deck has al fresco dining for 4, lounge chairs and a hammock. Cook up delicious eats on the grill. Enjoy evenings sitting around the fire pit with drinks and s’mores. Stay cozy inside with our wood burning fireplace. We provide complimentary firewood for a few fires during your stay, however there are plenty of shops nearby for anything beyond that.
As you prepare to depart, leave a lasting impression by hanging a wish or memory on our handmade Japanese ema station. Watch as it fills with heartfelt tokens of hope, dreams, and memories from travelers like you, creating a beautiful legacy for future guests to cherish.
Enjoy quick access to hiking, outdoor adventure sports, swimming holes, farms, farmer’s markets, popular wedding venues, and skiing. The charming Catskill villages of Margaretville, Fleischmann’s, Stamford, Phoenicia, Big Indian, and Pine Hill just a short drive away.
MAIN FEATURES
• 2 Western style bedrooms with queen beds
• Cultural experience in our loft tatami room with 2 twin XL Japanese futons
• Mountain views from the deck and cabin, faces East so you can watch the sunrise
• Zen garden under the stairs
• Indoor wood burning fireplace (We provide enough firewood for 1-2 fires)
• Dedicated workspace in one bedroom
• Fully stocked kitchen
• Coffee, tea, and sugar
• Large spacious deck with outdoor lounging/dining
• Hammock
• Fire pit with 4 Adirondack chairs
• Charcoal grill and BBQ tools
• Shishi odoshi Japanese fountain in the front entrance area
• Japanese Ema (Wishing) station to hang a hope, dream, wisdom or memory
• Board games and books, local guides and info
• Private backyard with 1.5 wooded acres
• Welcome basket with organic matcha and Japanese cookies.
• Yukata robes for use during your stay
• 100% cotton linens and organic non-toxic mattresses
• Self check-in with smart lock
• 43 inch Roku HDTV in the living room - Sign in to your accounts easily with guest mode
• Safety features: smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and first aid kit.
• Private parking on site for up to 3 cars
BEDROOMS/SLEEPING
We have two "Western" style bedrooms which have standard queen beds. Our loft is designed as a unique cultural experience space where you can sleep Japanese style on futons which are placed on the tatami floors. Although it may not be for everyone, there are many health benefits to this style of sleeping so we encourage you to give it a try!
Bedroom 1 (1st floor)
• Queen bed with an organic latex mattress
• 100% cotton linens
• Quilt/ warm throw blanket
• Two nightstands with lamps
• Charging stations
• Desk with office chair
• Floor mirror
• Clothing and luggage rack
• Floor fan
• Area rug
Bedroom 2 (1st floor)
• Queen bed with an organic hybrid mattress
• 100% cotton linens
• 100% cotton quilt and warm throw blanket
• Extra throw blankets
• Two nightstands with lamps
• Charging stations
• Lounge chair
• Floor mirror
• Clothing and luggage rack
• Iron and small ironing board
• Floor fan
• Area rug
Bedroom 3 (Loft)
• Two Twin XL sized Japanese futons with cotton linens
• 2 Japanese buckwheat pillows
• Tatami floors
• Tea table with 4 zabuton floor cushions
• Floor lamp
• Floor fan
• Board games
• Also can be used as meditation/yoga or lounge space
LIVING SPACE
Find your sense of calm in our cozy and comfortable living room with beautiful Japandi and traditional Japanese decor. It's the perfect spot to unwind by the wood-burning fireplace.
• West Elm leather couch
• Two cozy swivel chairs
• Soft area rug
• Wooden coffee table
• 43 inch Roku TV
• Wood burning fireplace (Firewood for 1-2 fires provided)
• Books
• Throw blankets
• Ottoman
• Floor lamp
• Console table with wifi info/guestbook
• Physical guidebook with local guides
• Media center with books
• Authentic Japanese decor items
• First aid kit (in media console)
KITCHEN
Enjoy our fully stocked kitchen with everything you need to fulfill your love of cooking or baking. With plenty of modern appliances and open layout, you can enjoy a delicious meal after a day of exploring.
Please note: We do not have a dishwasher as reflected in our amenities.
• Krups drip coffee maker
• Pour over coffee maker
• French press
• Electric kettle
• Coffee, tea, and sugar
• Toaster
• Microwave
• Stove/oven
• Fridge/freezer
• Baking pans + muffin pan
• Cooking utensils
• BBQ utensils (Fork, Spatula + Tongs)
• Japanese dishes and bowls
• Cutting boards
• Knives
• Mugs
• Wine glasses
• Drinking glasses
• A few basic spices
• Himalayan salt + pepper
• Cooking oil
• Food storage containers
• Children's dining set
• Roasting pan
• Waffle maker
• Meat thermometer
• Wine/beer opener
• Silverware and dinnerware for 8 people
• Rice cooker
• Lemon squeezer
• Garlic press
• Potato masher
• Ice cube trays
• Brita water filter
• Chopsticks
• Soup spoons
• Basic cleaning supplies
• Dish soap/sponge
• Hand soap
• Dish towel
• Paper towels
BATHROOM
Our humble, but zen designed bathroom provides a soothing place to start or end your day with a relaxing bath or shower.
• Shower/bathtub
• Toilet paper (extras in sink vanity)
• Organic non-toxic hand soap
• 100% cotton towels/washcloths
• Black makeup cloth
• Toilet
• Organic shampoo/conditioner from dispensers
• Organic body soap from dispensers
• Sanitary disposal bags
• Nonslip bath mat
• Japanese yukata robes
OUTDOOR
Take in the forest and mountain surroundings on our large spacious deck with comfy lounging. Lay in the hammock under the stars, sit by the fire pit, or grill up something tasty.
• Large deck with mountain and forest views
• Dining for 4 people
• Two lounge chairs and terrazzo table
• Hammock
• Solar powered Japanese chochin lanterns by the dining area
• Weber charcoal grill (we do not provide charcoal)
• Emakake votive station (Japanese cultural experience) to leave a wish or memory from the cabin
• Fire pit with Polywood adirondack seating for 4 and a side table
• 1.5 private acres of nature and privacy
SAFETY
• Smoke alarms in bedrooms, living/kitchen, and the loft
• Carbon monoxide alarm in the hallway
• Fire extinguisher hanging next to the fireplace and in the loft
• Fire blankets under the kitchen sink
• First aid kit in the media cabinet next to the couch
There's so much to do in the Western Catskills during all seasons. Here's a few places in the area we recommend:
PLACES NEARBY
• Bellearye Ski Resort (15 min)
• Bellearye Beach (15 min)
• Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort (12 min)
• Delaware + Ulster Railroad (10 min)
• Roxbury Mountain Maple (15 min)
• Pakatakan Farmer's Market (8 min)
• Phoenicia Diner (25 min)
• Peekamoose Restaurant (18 min)
• Mornings Cafe (10 min)
• Roxbury Barn & Estate (10 min)
• Schoharie Reservoir (25 min)
• Bearpen Mountain (12 min)
• Stone Tavern Farm (10 min)
• Shephard Hills Golf Course (12 min)
• Wayside Cider (25 min)
• The Inn at West Settlement (15 min)
• Rail Explorers (30 min)
• Great hiking within 10+ min
• Groceries, dining, and shops within 10+ min
Delaware County Registration ID: 20230099
Guest access
You will have access to the entire home (except the shed and locked owner's closet.)
Other things to note
Please understand that the cabin is located in the woods. You will likely see or encounter bugs and other wildlife during your stay. This may include field mice, black bears, foxes, groundhogs, bobcats, raccoons, ants, spiders, bees, flies, ticks, wasps, bats, birds and more. These creatures reside in this area and this is their home too. We have regular pest control and do our best to keep this under control, but unfortunately on rare occasion, pests may still find their way in. Please keep doors closed to avoid a chance of wildlife getting inside. We do not offer any refunds for any wildlife encounters during your stay.
Do not leave any trash or food outside or in your car. This may attract black bears and other wildlife to the cabin.
The wood burning fireplace may be used in cooler months, but please make sure the flue is open before using. You can open it by pushing in the handle on the right side of the fireplace. Do not use lighter fluid/gas to start a fire in the fireplace or it can cause serious damage or explosion. Please only use Duraflame or similar starter logs. Also make sure all fires are extinguished before sleeping or leaving the cabin.
There may be local burn bans on occasion due to extremely dry conditions that affect usage of the outdoor fire pit. These must be respected by law or you may be charged and subject to local fines.
The loft is designed as a tatami room and has 2 twin XL sized beds that are Japanese futons, which means you will sleep on these on the tatami floor. If you may not be interested in this style of sleeping, there are two regular queen beds downstairs as well.
The cabin currently has no air conditioning as noted in the amenities. We have fans in every bedroom and a ceiling fan in the living room. Typically since we are in the mountains it gets a lot cooler at night even during summer.
Please do not flush anything other than provided toilet paper. We have sanitary bags provided in the bathroom for disposing other items. We are on a septic system and this will avoid any unpleasant plumbing issues during your stay.
Winter tires and AWD are highly recommended for traveling around the area in heavy snow or icy weather conditions.
We have snow removal service to plow the driveway and shovel the deck during heavy snow, however on occasion there may be delays in their arrival during heavy storms.
Our outdoor lanterns and string lights are solar powered, so please keep in mind their function may be affected by heavy snow or other weather conditions.
We are happy to welcome kids of all ages, but the cabin is not childproof. Please be cautious if you have children while staying here, especially in the loft, deck and around the fireplace and fire pit.
Please note: Our bamboo fountain in some of the listing photos out front is only available from late spring to fall.
We encourage you to leave your shoes at the door and bring slippers, as we don't provide disposable slippers in order to stay eco-friendly.
