From Nina
Today, June 10, 2026, Guest House Pongyi celebrates its 17th anniversary.
Since opening as Kanazawa’s first guesthouse on June 10, 2009, we have been fortunate to meet so many wonderful people from around the world. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported Pongyi over the years.
Today also marks another important milestone. As of this anniversary, the ownership and management of Pongyi has officially been passed from Masaki to me, Nina.
This transition did not happen suddenly. Five years ago, when Masaki suffered a heart attack, we began thinking seriously about the future of Pongyi and gradually preparing for this day.
Although the representative has changed, daily life at Pongyi will remain much the same. Masaki is doing well and will continue to be involved with the guesthouse. You’ll still see him during our evening gatherings, and he often says that Pongyi will always be part of his life.
Together, we will continue welcoming guests with the same spirit that has always been at the heart of Pongyi.
We also have one more personal announcement to share.
Masaki and I got married on June 10 last year.
We had only shared this news with a small number of people, so this may be the first time many of you are hearing it. For us, it felt like a natural step in both our life together and our commitment to Pongyi’s future.
Over the years, many people have supported us through difficult times, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and our crowdfunding campaign to help revive Pongyi. We are deeply grateful for all the kindness and encouragement we have received.
As we move forward, we hope to continue cherishing the values that have guided Pongyi from the beginning: the belief that “your true work is to become yourself,” and the words of Masaki’s teacher, Master Gayuna Cealo:
“May all people be filled with the joy of living.”
As we begin our 18th year, we hope to continue cherishing the connections we make through this place and welcoming guests with the same spirit as always.
Thank you for being part of Pongyi’s journey. We look forward to welcoming you in the years to come.