Berkshires Shirakaba Guesthouse

The Shirakaba Guesthouse is wonderful, with a zen quality that instantly lets you relax and take in the Berkshires Mountain view.
But it is the hosts, Louise and Sado, that will make your stay worthwhile. Their detailed attention to your comfort is apparent from the moment you check in. This was our first stay, but it won’t be the last.

Our visit to Shirakaba was really a treat. Louise and Sadao are excellent hosts. They make sure your stay is amazing and will do beyond your expectation. I am from Japan and wanted to go home this year, but we couldn’t do it, so this was a great alternative. Some of my Japanese friends saw my photos on Facebook and they thought we were in japan. I felt like I was at a B&B in Japan. It is so relaxing and peaceful there. Will love to go back again!

As you cross the threshold at the Shirakaba Ryoken you are welcomed as family members by host Yagi-​San and hostess Louise. You feel transported through time and space to a kinder, gentler time — reversing the accelerated pace of modern life and recapturing those elements of gracious living that nourish the soul. Explore the wonder of the stars beyond the reach of city lights and experience sleep undisturbed by constant noise. Upon awakening, relax in your Yukata in your personal Tatami room as your gracious hostess serves your meticulously prepared breakfast while you contemplate the beauty of the surrounding forest unmarred by modern progress. To complete the experience be sure to experience the transcendent Kaiseki, lovingly prepared by Japanese master chef and host Yagi-​San — while the strains of the Koto evoke images of Ukiyo-​e — the floating world. And as you depart, you wonder why… and realize that you must come again to this very special place out of time and space.

My girlfriend and I spent the past weekend at Shirakaba and had another wonderful time. Louise and Sadao are extremely accommodating and always put forth the extra effort to ensure our stay is pleasant. Both suites are beautiful and would offer anyone a relaxing experience.

Thank you, Louise and Sadao for a fabulous stay at Shirakaba. They are the ultimate hosts and we left slightly teary-​eyed after such a great three-​day stay. We were treated to an extravagant Japanese-​style breakfast, given tips on nearby hiking trails, loaded up on homemade chocolate chip cookies, brownies and Louise’s famous sticky buns (recipe, please!!!). We loved our sushi-​making class and miss the temper-​pedic beds… We left with a car-​load of goodies for us and our kids. Can’t wait to return!

I had a wonderful experience and time. The host are excellent and friendly. My partner made my birthday experience a blast. The beds and the food was excellent will do it again! I only wish Sadao gave me his secret to his delicious SOUP! They are clean and wonderful! LOVE IT!

We thoroughly enjoyed our Babymoon here at Shirakaba. The hosts, Louise & Sadao were lovely — and anticipated every little detail of our needs and requests to ensure a very relaxed 3 day weekend. We loved our Tempurpedic bed — so much so that we are replacing our home mattress as I write. I don’t recall the last time we both slept so soundly and comfortably.
The meals were all lovingly prepared — breakfast has a ton of options — both Japanese and Western style. And we also opted one evening for a Sukiyaki meal in our Washitsu (Japanese tatami room) — where my fiancé tasted Chawanmushi (Japanese savory egg custard) for the first time.
The homemade goodies are delicious — from Louise’s morning sticky buns, home-​churned ice cream (green tea and ginger were my favorite), and name-​your-​flavor cookies (I requested dark choco oatmeal cookies — recipe included). I’m usually not a sweets person, but I indulged over the wknd happily for our growing baby!
The swimming pool option was also great — it’s a proper lap pool where we squeezed in 12 to 15 strokes per length, so we had a relaxing private workout — where we also enjoyed a post-​swim massage next to the pool from a local spa service.
We’ll be back again surely — to recharge !

a quiet private place to stay. It is a japanese b&b with private indoor pool, tatami tea room etc. A little piece of Japan in the middle of the Berkshires.
We had 3 days of relaxation with japanese breakfasts, cooking classes, massages, fun in the pool, stargazing etc.
They have a suite with a normal bedroom with king size bed, a hallway, a tatami tea room where the kids can sleep, own bathroom with shower and direct access to indoor heated pool and the deck with a hot tub. Just a few minutes from Jiminey Peak and 15 minutes from the Shaker Village.
It was really nice and relaxed. It is a japanaese B&B and they totally spoil you with any wish you have. They stock up your fridge daily with softdrinks, teas and snacks and you just have to mention you like something and it is there. It is all included.
For breakfast we opted for the japanese one (we figured we can always get an american). Started with yoghurt, fruit, juices, coffee, tea etc. Then Louise’s freshbaked sticky buns. They are btw fantastic. Even my husband who doesn’t like cinnamon or sweet stuff couldn’t get enough. Then came the japanese part with misosoup, various japanese pickles, shitake mushrooms, hard boiled eggs, rice etc. We always left the breakfast table soooo full and if we didn’t finish it all Louise would pack it up for lunch boxes or snacks so the breakfast really was a brunch!
The innkeepers go out and beyond for you to feel at home. I don’t think any innkeepers before have done so much as these do two did for us. They really made that weekend unforgettable.
We were there for Mothers Day and we did opt to get a lot of extras such as cooking class, Sukiyaki dinner etc. All the food was really authentic and it was thus not a surprise when we learned that Sedao previously had owned a boarding house in Japan.
The other innkeeper Louise has a heart as big as this planet. She is so loving and although I am not a fan of hugs and stuff then she immediately embraces and hugs you when you arrive. She does it in such a nice manner that I didn’t feel completely overwhelmed. The entire time we were there she was asking to read books to our children, taking us for walks etc etc.
When we left we left loaded with little gifts, soaps, washcloths, bags, caps etc. All made with their logo and very japanese to give all these gifts.
I was so happy because with Earthquakes etc we can’t go to Japan but this way our children got to get a taste of Japan, without flying for 14+ hours.