About Pongyi
The first guesthouse in Kanazawa
Pongyi opened in 2009 as the very first guesthouse in Kanazawa.
It is a 150-year-old traditional townhouse that used to be a kimono shop, renovated into a cozy inn along the Kuratsuki Canal — just a 10-minute walk from Kanazawa Station.
With only three rooms — a female-only dormitory, a mixed dormitory, and a private tatami room — Pongyi is a small, home-like guesthouse.
Here, travelers naturally connect with each other in a warm, family atmosphere,
and can feel the quiet rhythm of everyday Japanese life.
Many travelers from overseas stay with us,
sharing smiles and spending time together —
moments of connection that make each journey more memorable.
The Origin of the Name & the Beginning of Pongyi
“Pongyi” means “monk” in Burmese.
The guesthouse was founded by Masaki, who once lived as a monk in Myanmar.
Inspired by that experience, he opened Pongyi as a place to live out the spirit of “My True Work Is Myself” —
to live earnestly as oneself and to practice kindness toward others.
The guesthouse opened in 2009, after renovating a 150-year-old traditional townhouse.
Since then, we have welcomed travelers from all over the world,
while quietly putting this philosophy into practice in our everyday life.
＊ Although “Pongyi” is pronounced “Pon-jee” in Burmese, we use the Japanese pronunciation “Pongyi” for our inn.
A Place That Touches Your Heart
At Pongyi, we wish to be a place where people can truly feel each other’s hearts.
Under the same roof, travelers from different countries share smiles in the common room —
sometimes cooking or eating together,
sometimes simply talking about their journeys.
Rather than luxury, we value peace of mind and gentle connection.
Run by Nina and Masaki, this small guesthouse cherishes both the warmth of people’s hearts
and the beauty of living true to oneself.
The Future of Pongyi
In 2021, Masaki suffered a heart attack, which left him with physical limitations.
Since then, Nina, the okami (manager), has been the one mainly running the guesthouse with care and dedication.
Even so, the heart of Pongyi remains unchanged.
Our guiding philosophy — “My True Work Is Myself” — means living true to yourself and cherishing others with kindness,
no matter what circumstances you face.
With that spirit, we continue to welcome travelers from around the world,
hoping that Pongyi will remain a small place filled with warmth and gentle connection.
A Part of Your Stay Supports People in Asia
Based on the belief that any profit beyond what we truly need should be returned to others,
Pongyi donates a portion of our accommodation fee to humanitarian support in Asia.
We hope that the time you spend here will become a gentle cycle of kindness —
bringing warmth not only to you,
but also to someone’s future somewhere in the world.
May your stay at Pongyi refresh both your body and heart,
and leave you with memories that stay quietly within you.
Policy
We define our management philosophy through three pillars:
”Management philosophy” ”Management policy” ”Actions guideline”
Management Philosophy
“May all people be filled full of Joy of life.”
(Words of master Gayuna Cealo)
Management Policy
１．We generate a profit in good faith. We act and give back the surplus profit except for what we need for the contribution for others who want to be independent and have peace in mind.
２．We respect each and every staff and make a place where they can grow as a person with a strong ambition.
３．We cherish the local community, culture and history and contribute to the international support of independence mainly in Asia.
Actions guideline
1．We understand ” I am just who I am”, go to the right path, always think what we can do for others and act.
２．We cherish the richness of mind and smile of all staff.
３． We understand each staff is involved in the management with their own will and responsibility. We do our best for the develop of the organization and the self-realization.
４．We respect each personality, work hard and encourage each other and grow in harmony.
Our Underlying Philosophy
We cherish this spirit —
“My true work is myself.”
Guided by this belief, we strive to be a guesthouse
where each guest can spend warm and heartfelt moments.
Staff
Representative & Okami (Manager)
I was born and raised in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Before joining Pongyi, I worked in the healthcare field. Long before becoming a staff member, I stayed here many times as a guest and was inspired by the warm connections between people that made this place so special.
I joined Pongyi in 2017 and became the hostess (Okami) in 2019.
In 2021, Masaki, the founder of Pongyi, suffered a severe heart attack. For the first time, I realized that this guesthouse might one day disappear. I didn’t want to lose this place. I decided that even if something happened to Masaki, I would continue Pongyi and protect what makes it special.
In 2026, I took over as the representative of Pongyi and now manage the guesthouse as both representative and hostess.
Pongyi is a small guesthouse in a traditional Japanese townhouse that is over 150 years old. It may not be the most convenient place, but it offers a warmth and comfort that modern buildings cannot provide.
Our philosophy is simple:
“May all people be filled with the joy of living.”
I hope Pongyi can be a place where travelers feel at home, connect with others, and enjoy being themselves.
I look forward to welcoming guests from all over the world.
Formerly a banker, I became a Buddhist monk in Myanmar after experiencing a series of setbacks in life. There, I learned the importance of living true to myself and cultivating a spirit of compassion for others.
After returning to Japan, I wanted to put those lessons into practice in everyday life. In 2009, I founded Guest House Pongyi, the first guesthouse in Kanazawa.
Pongyi was born from an idea I learned in Myanmar: to live in society with the heart of a monk. Since then, I have sought to create a place where travelers from around the world can meet, connect naturally, and share meaningful experiences.
After a heart attack in 2021 and a serious spinal condition diagnosed in 2025, I handed over the leadership of Pongyi to Niina, our Okami (hostess), in 2026. Today, I remain involved with the guesthouse and enjoy meeting travelers from all over the world.
My life philosophy is simple: “My True Work Is Myself.”
Before any job title or profession, the most important thing is to live as the person you truly are. This is the path I continue to walk, and it is a pleasure to welcome guests to Pongyi along the way.