Experience authentic ryokan traditions by unwinding within the serenity of nature, absorbing the minerals of a natural spring onsen, and indulging in exquisite Japanese haute-cuisine. Zaborin is a contemporary luxury ryokan in Hanazono, Hokkaido, Japan.

Our award-winning kita kaiseki cuisine is a northern interpretation of the the ancient traditional Kyoto kaiseki dining, celebrating local produce and seasons. Each guest suite (villa) has its own private indoor and outdoor hot spring bath. Breathe. Soak. Savour.

A ryokan is about exceptional food and onsen quality

Throughout history, traditional Japanese inns are destination experiences that include an evening meal of fine Japanese cuisine, an elaborate breakfast, and the restorative benefits of bathing in an onsen (hot spring).

Zaborin’s dining experience includes the unique and award winning multi-course ‘kita kaiseki’. All Zaborin villas offer the luxury of two private hot spring baths – one indoor and one covered open-air onsen.

A contemporary experience of Japanese traditions

Born of a desire to capture the spirit of the ryokan in a new and relevant way, Zaborin combines contemporary Japanese luxury with an extraordinary ryokan experience, together with the heart of Japanese service (omotenashi).

The design is an integral part of re-interpreting the meditative side of a ryokan but bringing with it modern comforts.

Internationally recognized and winner of multiple awards (from Japan, Europe and USA), Architect Makoto Nakayama and talented Creative Director Shouya Grigg, have interwoven the old with the new, the perfect with the imperfect, light with shadows and blended it into its natural surroundings.

And, unlike the more introspective designs necessary in Japan’s history, Zaborin is not only a part of its surrounding nature but extends the feeling of inclusion with unparalleled views. A place to sit.

GUEST VILLAS

There are two private onsens (one indoor, one open-air) of hot, natural, spring water in every villa, as well as all the modern amenities. Inhale the heady scent of birch trees from the encompassing woods, and listen to the water and the trees.

Offering a choice between ‘washitsu’ and ‘yoshitsu’ sleeping arrangements, each villa (suite) has a different configuration. Some rooms also benefit from an additional tatami space, ideal for small families.

In appreciation for the unusual snow of the area – delicate and light powder created by the freezing Siberian winds – the name of each villa follows a winter ‘kamon’ (Japanese crest) representing the various types of snow. Indulge in a hidden retreat of modern simplicity, enveloped by the serenity of nature.

WASHITSU
Japanese sleeping arrangement on the tatami floor with futons. Washitsu villas are Japanese in style with beautiful tatami mats in the bedroom and thick modern futons, Washitsu rooms allow for a luxurious version of the Japanese authentic sleeping experience.

Each washitsu villa suite has its own private indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, modern amenities and mini bar in its living area.

Surrounded by the beautiful white birch woods with the views of Hanazono farm, Mt. Yotei, or Annupuri and the Waisuhorn mountain ranges, whichever room you choose will offer a peaceful retreat all year round.

YOSHITSU
Western bed sleeping arrangements. Yoshitsu villas are suites with bedroom, spacious living areas and bathrooms. This includes its own private indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, modern amenities and mini bar, similar to the Washitsu villas.

The Western style configuration is perfect for guests who prefer to sleep on a bed with the choice of an additional extra soft mattress top, or choice of pillows.

Surrounded by the beautiful white birch woods with the views of Hanazono farm, Mt. Yotei, or Annupuri and the Waisuhorn mountain ranges, whichever room you choose will offer a peaceful retreat all year round.

AMENITIES
Each villa is a suite with generous living area, bedroom and bathroom.

Bathe
Japanese onsen bathing is a very important part of Japanese culture, one that is usually a shared experience.Unusual to many ryokans, Zaborin offers a choice of two private baths – one indoor, one outdoor – with every villa. Also available in guest bathrooms:

• A daily toiletry bundle for men including toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, razor, and shaving gel.
• A daily toiletry bundle for women including toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, hair accessories and a travel cleansing set.
• Zaborin’s original Hokkaido pine scented shampoo, conditioner and soaps.

Japanese usually wash in the shower before enjoying their hot spring baths so that it remains soap-free for a purer relaxation.

Sit
It is customary to wear traditional Japanese casual wear (‘samue’) around the ryokan. In cooler weather the ‘hanten’ is used as an outer layer, which has a removal fleece lining. These have been provided in the bedrooms for your convenience.

• Contemplate the views or write on the Zaborin stationary
• Flatscreen TVs, DVD players and Apple TVs
• Bluetooth sound systems with iPod connectivity
• High-speed wireless internet connections
• Mini bar includes selection of wines and local whisky (please ask if you’d like to arrange for more)
• Fridge includes complimentary local Hokkaido juices
• Complimentary teas and in room Nespresso coffee machines

Sleep
Whether you sleep on a futon or in a Western style bed, our mattresses have been selected as the top quality in sleeping comfort. Together with the traditional ryokan wear available in your rooms, we have also provided each guest with a set of Western pyjamas to sleep in during your stay.

KITA KAISEKI

Inspired by the origins of the most formalised of all culinary traditions, kaiseki, Zaborin’s signature “Kita kaiseki 北懐石” brings a northern interpretation to the art of Japanese fine dining.

All ‘washoku’和食 (Japanese cuisine) aims to feed body and soul, particularly embracing the seasonality of ingredients, its themes and appreciation of nature’s bounty and “Kita kaiseki” indeed explores how to capture nature’s original and simplistic beauty while simultaneously elevating it in the art of fine-dining.

To follow the cycle of the growth from seed to plate and give it the full appreciation it deserves. Itadakimasu.

YOSHIHIRO SENO

Gifted Yoshihiro Seno’s career began as engineering designer before he decided to change paths and pursue the long road to mastering ‘washoku‘.

Having worked in many Japanese restaurants in New York City, he subsequently moved back to Tokyo to continue his craft. It was in Tokyo, with its accessibility to all ingredients, that highlighted a need to return back to his roots and examine the true meaning of ‘locality’.

Here in Hokkaido, with the abundance of exceptional local ingredients, and our own in-house forager, chef Seno felt is able to nurture his attention to detail, his thoughtful and emotional approach to the earth and fresh ingredients.

At Zaborin he has been able to fulfil his passion and precision with the freedom of interpreting Kita kaiseki. His skill has been recognized and awarded internationally and by Japanese connoisseurs alike.

A true ryokan experience is not complete without an evening lingering over a multi-course Japanese kaiseki meal, and a bountiful breakfast. These are included in your rate per night.

DINNER
Kita kaiseki is a northern interpretation of the rigorous Kyoto kaiseki meal, considered one of the most formal and exceptional forms of cuisine in the world.

Hokkaido born engineer turned chef Yoshihiro Seno’s exquisite and deceptively unadorned dishes embraces the seasonality, the simplicity, flavor and beauty of the local products. His attention to detail includes his own treated venison and frequent collaboration with our in-house forager.

Zaborin’s signature kita kaiseki can be enjoyed in our intimate dining room. For guests staying longer, alternatives can be arranged, for example an exclusive robatayaki omakase menu in the Irori room.

BREAKFAST
Not to be taken for granted, Zaborin’s breakfasts boasts an abundant offering of local produce. Choose from the traditional Japanese breakfast or a twist on the Western breakfast, served to match the Japanese dining options. Sample* Japanese breakfast include:

• Local Ginzan rice cooked in ‘Kama’ (traditional individual rice pots)
• Home-made pickled seasonal vegetables
• Home-made milk ‘tofu’
• Grilled Hokkaido seasonal fish
• Miso soup with blended Hokkaido miso
• Egg dish from local Kutchan egg farm
• Grilled seasonal vegetables

HOT SPRINGS

Regarded for centuries as both a necessity and a luxury, the communal onsen (hot spring bath) is a corner stone of Japanese culture.

At Zaborin, each of the 15 villa suites have their own private indoor, and own private open-air baths, all supplied with free-flowing hot volcanic spring water from Zaborin’s own spring source.

Inhale and take in the soothing scent of pines and indulge in the energy of the forest – also known as ‘forest bathing’ 森林浴 [Shinrin’yoku]. The extraordinary views, the exceptional water quality, and serenity of the moment will soothe both mind and body.

The volcanic waters of Zaborin come from almost a kilometre below ground, arriving at the perfect natural temperature. The unadulterated waters are a specialty and revered across Japan as the best in onsen bathing luxury: gensen kaikenagashi (源泉かけ流し).

The quality of our spring water has been tested and awarded the top 10% in the country. Rich in minerals, water that is also surrounded but such abundant nature is considered to have absorbed the ‘qi’ (気迫) – the energy or spirit – of those surroundings.

 Irori
Originally used for cooking and heating, the Japanese sunken hearth, the irori, is the heart of the home. At Zaborin this is reimagined not only as the physical centre of the ryokan but also enclosed in a separate space away from the views to re-focus internally. Pre-booking for a robatayaki dinner is available.

Chanoza
Literally ‘tea’s seat’, the chanoza is normally a formal tea room. We hope to demystify this ancient tradition by making it part of the daily movements and flow of the ryokan. Guests are welcome to take a seat and participate the meditative quality of a beautifully brewed cup of Japanese matcha.

The Living Room
The living room is a place to gather and relax. With floor to ceiling windows and views to Yotei san and our modest lake, the world of nature becomes a living cinema.

The pivot point of the Living Room is a double sided open fireplace. One of two such fireplaces on the property, it offers the same cohesion and role of gathering that was played by the traditional ‘irori’.

The Library
Ranging from Japanese classics in English, to European favourites in Japanese, to poetry and books on nature, the Library is a place to discover a gem of literature. Eclectic films and board games are also complimentary and available for guest use.

The Bar
The bar is made of one solid piece of wood and facing the majestic ‘Fuji of the North’, Yotei san. Sample the local whiskies, and soak in the view.

Footbath
Across Japan, there are free public foot baths ‘ashiyu’ for the weary traveller and searching for them can be a pastime on its own. Hidden in plain view in Zaborin’s central courtyard is one such treat. In some winter months, tunnels are carved through the huge snow drifts to a glowing candle-lit retreat for your feet.

In-house Boutique
Browse a selection of local ceramics, Zaborin soaps and our specially designed ‘samue’, ‘hanten’ jackets and pyjama outfits.

Cigar Lounge
Our property is a no-smoking area with the exception of the designated smoking terrace at the entrance, and our indoor cigar lounge.

Massage room
For guests who would like to arrange a massage therapist to visit the ryokan, we can provide you with a double room equipped with 2 massage beds, towels and privacy. Please contact our staff to assist with therapist bookings.

Individual ski/ golf lockers
For active guests, or guests with multiple coats, private locked lockers are provided.

Website: www.zaborin.com

Rooms: 15

Price: from 1.095 EUR per night

Wanosato is located in a natural setting that has remained unchanged since ancient eras of Japan. You can enjoy the traditional Japanese sense of beauty “wabi-sabi”, and full-hearted hospitality, enjoy traditional cooking techniques and seasonal ingredients that enable you fully taste each season in the rich nature of Hida.

We invite you to experience Japan at its finest at Wanosato. A village hidden in the mountains of Hida, borrowing the landscape of Mount Norikura

Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture ranks as the city with the largest area in Japan. It has been famous as a city in the mountains with a flourishing culture of town people,but in the south of the downtown there is “Wanosato”, embraced by sacred mountains,with the Miyagawa river valley at our feet.Nature has been left untouched on the most of our vast grounds of approximately 45,000 sqm,allowing our guests to enjoy each moment in any season.

All our eight unique guest rooms boast a sense of history and Japanese culture, and are built in the ways of Hida region to be cool in summer and warm in winter. Dinner around the sunken hearth in the main building will feature local people eager to tell you a variety of folk tales.

Please enjoy the stories about gassho-zukuri and Hida’s history, about various cultural elements concerning plant and food culture, along with our traditional alcoholic beverage “kapposake”.

ROOMS
We have at Wanosato four different types of rooms in four separate suites built in different gassho-zukuri style, including rooms for VIP-guests, lavishly decorated using Hida wood and traditional Shunkei Nuri lacquerware.

The natural beauty of Hida feels like a painting through our single-glass windows and will sooth your heart along with the melody of the limpid Miyagawa River flowing through the garden.

TENRYO
“Tenryo” is the only room in “Wanosato” that offers both Japanese and Western-style rooms. The terrace facing the Miya River offers a view of the water mill and virgin forest. The rooms are also decorated with “Shunkei Nuri” a lacquerware culture unique to the Hida region, which allows guests to enjoy the beautiful grain of the wood and its translucent, light-gold color.

GARYU
This is the only room with a unique structure, which was moved from an old private house (120 years ago)in the former Miyaruma. This is the only room in Yamanosato with an Irori fireplace. This room is suitable for an adult’s retreat in the mountain village of Hida.

KARIYASU KURAIYAMA
The rooms are built in the Gassho-zukuri style, like the famous World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go, and offer a glimpse into the traditional building techniques of Hida’s master builders.

The mud walls create the atmosphere of a mountain village retreat. Making use of the high-ceilinged structure as it is, we also have “Ondol rooms” that can heat the rooms without polluting the air.

PREMIUM SUITE ICHINOMIYA
Located on the first floor of the main building, it is the largest and most spacious space in the main building. The murmuring of the Miya River flowing below is pleasant, and you can feel the nature of Hida with your whole body.

The walls made of “gama”, known in the language of flowers for its “deep love”, comfortably wrap around the room, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter.

VIEW SUITE MIYANOMA
These two connected rooms are located at the far end of the second floor of the main building. The view from the highest room at the far end of the building is spectacular. You can relax and enjoy the changing of the seasons.

DINING
Please enjoy our pure Japanese cuisine prepared with the finest ingredients and techniques in our inn nestled in the heart of nature. We will treat you with our heartfelt hospitality, based on our wish that our guests’ hearts will be at ease: this is the very Japanese “kaiseki”.

ICHIINOMA RESTAURANT 
Ichiinoma This is a hall on the first floor of the main building that can accommodate up to 30 people. The large 11-meter wide glass window offers an overwhelming view of the nature around the Miyagawa River and to feel each season with all your senses.

AMANOGAWA RESTAURANT
Amanogawa The dining room on the second floor of the main building with its beautiful contrast of red walls and black beams. Our guests can enjoy their meals at a table made of a single impressive piece of Japanese cypress wood. There is also a small window in the room that offers a view of the sunken hearth on the first floor.

SHIKOUNOMA RESTAURANT
Shikounoma The Yakusugi cedar table with a sunken kotatsu table is made using traditional Hida techniques that do not use a single nail. In addition, the walls and floors are painted with “Shunkei Nuri”,making it a room where you can see the craftsmanship of Hida everywhere.

HOT SPRING 
The hot spring at “Wanosato” was officially recognized by Gifu Prefecture and registered as the trademark “Hida Kuraiyama Onsen” in 2010. Its rather hot water will relieve daily fatigue and keep your body warm until the next day.

We have a wild-style rock bath made of giant rocks from the Jomon era, and a bath fully made of “hinoki” (Japanese cypress), where you can enjoy the mild spring water quality as it is,since the source of the hot spring is located on our premises.

ROCK BATH 
Our hot spring is popular as a “rejuvenating hot spring” that is excellent for cell activation,heat retention, and moisturizing, due to the synergistic effects of fluorine in the source with trace amounts of radium released from the giant rocks in the rock bath.

HINOKI BATH
Our Full-Hinoki Bath (made using only Japanese cypress) offers a magnificent view,together with a subtle scent of Japanese cypress. Our guests can enjoy the freedom of the magnificent view from the large windows of our Full-Hinoki bath.

INDOOR BATH 
All guest rooms are provided with private “hinoki” baths. Our guests can bathe while enjoying the exclusive view from your window. (The indoor baths are not hot spring water.)

SUNKEN HEARTH
The main building of “Wanosato” is a 160-year-old reconstruction of a wealthy farmer’s mansion, with an imposing sunken hearth on the first floor. We use its “irori” (sunken hearth) to boil water or to slowly grill ayu (sweetfish) and iwana (rockfish). The “irori” is still an unreplaceable part of life at “Wanosato” as it provides warmth in the winter and air circulation in the summer.

After dinner, locals serve our famous “kappo sake” and will tell stories about the land. You can enjoy listening to Hida folklore while tasting our local sake heated in a bamboo tube and eating “takuan” (pickled radish) or “hijiki”.

When there are several groups of guests, we ask them to share the space together, and they always seem to be having a good time and enjoying each other’s company. We hope you will spend a relaxing time listening to the crackling of the fire and the murmuring of the Miya River while letting your mind err about the history of Hida.

SCENERY 
“Wanosato” offers approximately 45,000 sqm of land extending across the Miyagawa River, so that our guests can enjoy from their rooms the richness of nature throughout the four seasons.

You can enjoy the seasonal changes as you stroll close to the Miyagawa River, a clear stream teeming with river fish, and fully appreciate the wood-fired kamado (cooking stove), the water wheel, and other features unique to “Wanosato”. Please enjoy our pristine nature deep in the mountains, even in the Hida region where more than 90% of the land is occupied by mountain forests.

Website: www.wanosato.com

Rooms: 8

Price: from 466 EUR per night

In order to provide a higher quality relaxing space, the Yuan Annex was renovated and reopened as the Yuan Annex in July 2018.

Everything from the entrance to the room has been reborn into an even more luxurious space, promising the ultimate in relaxation and hospitality to all our guests. We look forward to welcoming you.

Make your time with your loved ones more wonderful memories. We will provide you with hospitality and proud dishes that will give you a rich time free from everyday life.

Original amenities
Original amenity Botanite series is installed in all rooms. Dr. Saito’s moisturizing concept of “combining cleaning and moisturizing” DNA is retained, but by specially blending organic herbal extracts, it brings extraordinary RELAX.

Based on the latest dermatology, we will always take care of your skin during your stay so that you can enjoy the best bath time. Please experience the finest collaboration between 100% natural hot springs and organic herbal extracts.

One and only powerful painting
A dragon painting that stands out when you enter the lobby of the main building, which was drawn for the hotel by Japanese painter Tetsuei Nakamura, who painted the barrier painting of Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei.

Discerning souvenirs
We have prepared souvenirs of carefully selected ingredients so that you can enjoy the taste of Yuan at home.

You can take home the ingredients provided for dinner and breakfast, such as thick and greasy dried horse mackerel and dried fish, flavorful yuzu salted fish prepared by hand squeezing, and honey plum with mellow sweetness and gentle acidity. increase.

We also accept orders from this website, so please feel free to contact us.

VIP room Senjo
VIP room Chisuji
A spacious room of about 124 square meters with a large cypress indoor bath and an open-air bath. Please spend a quiet time surrounded by the magnificent mountains of Hakone and the singing voice of birds that you can see from all the rooms and baths.

The wash basin is equipped with two original wash balls. There are also two toilets. The bath is a hinoki cypress indoor bath with a hot water bath where five family members can relax. Please monopolize the hot water and scenery of Hakone with the open-air bath that continues from there.

For beds that heal the tiredness of travel, we have prepared Sealy beds that are particular about sleeping comfort. Please enjoy the world standard bed that always pursues the most advanced and comfortable sleep.

Annex Special Room Myojin
A wide wash-out semi-open-air bath and a hot spring bath. A modern Japanese-style room with a bedroom will surely create a calm and quiet time. The wash basin is equipped with two wash balls.

The wide bath is washed out. Enjoy the afterglow of good quality hot water in a spacious living room. I would like you to forget about your daily fatigue and relax.

For beds that heal the tiredness of travel, we have prepared Sealy beds that are particular about sleeping comfort. Please enjoy the world standard bed that always pursues the most advanced and comfortable sleep.

Japanese and Western room Hakone
From the calm Japanese-style room, you can see the magnificent mountains of Hakone and Sagami Bay in fine weather. The spacious bedroom has a large dressing table that makes women happy.

A panoramic view of Mt. Myojogatake, known for its capital ware, from the wash-out bath. There is nothing to block the 180-degree view. There is such a relaxation here that you will always want to soak in the hot water in the morning and evening.

For beds that heal the tiredness of travel, we have prepared Sealy beds that are particular about sleeping comfort. Please enjoy the world standard bed that always pursues the most advanced and comfortable sleep.

Meals that provide a blissful time
The best hospitality is the meal that colors your time. That is the idea of ​​the restaurant Yuan. Enjoy the taste of Japanese cuisine, which the craftsmen have done their best, both morning and night. Please enjoy the proud dishes that are made with carefully selected ingredients in a seasonal production.

Meals will be served in the guest rooms both morning and evening for guests staying in the annex, and in the private dining room for guests staying in the main building both morning and evening.  If you have any allergies or foods that you are not good at, please do not hesitate to tell us.

With a sense of the season
Menus that change according to the season will produce dishes not only with the ingredients themselves, but also with vessels and treatments. In particular, Hassun and appetizers have a story in their presentation, and are elaborately designed so that they can be tasted with the eyes.

Carefully selected ingredients
Local brand beef and vegetables, seafood from the sea, the best rice of the year, etc. As for the ingredients provided by the hotel, we cooperate with local and other cooperating companies nationwide to provide truly delicious ingredients carefully selected by craftsmen.

Declaration of “the best breakfast in Japan”
At Yuan’s breakfast, you can enjoy “Biken no Zen”, which is not only delicious but also fun to look at, with the theme of beauty and health. With healthy ingredients, seasoning, and cooking, you can start a healthy day. And Yuan aims to be the best breakfast in Japan with this “Biken no Zen”.

Discerning rice
Discerning rice selected by craftsmen from all over the country. We carefully select the best rice of the year from many types. Supper is served with seasonally cooked rice, and breakfast is served with white rice so that you can enjoy the taste of rice itself.

Basically soup stock
The soup stock, which is the basis of cooking, is the pride of the hotel. We will carefully adjust the temperature according to the temperature and humidity of the day, and thoroughly control the temperature so that you can enjoy it most deliciously. Please enjoy the soup stock of the hotel that maximizes the taste of the ingredients.

Private bath Ryujin
We have an oval bathtub made of cypress. The magnificent mountains of Hakone spread out beyond the bathroom window. In front of you, you can overlook Mt. Myojogatake, which is famous for its capital ware. Bathing while bathing in the morning sun is also exceptional.

Semi-open-air bath that flows into all guest rooms
All 10 rooms have semi-open-air baths that flow from different sources. The magnificent mountains of Hakone spread out in front of you, and on sunny days you can see Sagami Bay and the Miura Peninsula.

The natural hot springs that you can enjoy while looking at the best location are the best luxury. Room service can also be used to deliver drinks to your room, so
why not enjoy your favorite drink while soaking in the natural hot springs?

VIP room Senjo
An indoor bath made of Japanese cypress and an open-air bath surrounded by trees. All of them are large enough to accommodate 5 people. The best healing space, befitting the name of the VIP room, is here.

Special room Myojin
We have a square stone bathtub, and not only the bathroom and bathtub but also the dressing room is widely built.

There is a personal chair in the dressing room where you can sit comfortably, so you can relax until you get sweaty after the bath. In addition, there is a cherry tree in front of the bathroom, and in the spring you can enjoy luxurious cherry blossom viewing while soaking in a natural hot spring.

Japanese and Western room Hakone
We have a square, horizontally long bathtub made of stone. Even two people can enter comfortably enough.

Of course, the magnificent mountains of Hakone spread out in front of you, and on sunny days you can see Sagami Bay and the Miura Peninsula. You can enjoy the expressions of the four seasons, from spring cherry blossoms to winter scenery.

Chisuji Falls
“Chisuji Falls”. When you pass through the mountain road, you can hear the murmuring of the river and you will be surrounded by dark green. The waterfall is wide and has many lines, which is exactly Chijo. Although the amount of water is small, it is a quaint waterfall.

Not only is it healed by the clear water, air, and the scent of trees, but there are also few people so you can spend a calm time. It’s hard to reach by car, but it’s a little-known spot where you can enjoy the autumn leaves in the fall. Take your camera in one hand.

Chinese Cuisine Taigen
“Chinese Cuisine Taigen” in Sengokuhara. You can enjoy Chinese food with a refreshing and gentle taste. Especially recommended is “Unpyro”, which is made by entwining pork and cucumber with a sweet garlic-flavored sauce.

It’s so delicious that some people come just to eat it. I am also looking forward to seeing the two owls that have been officially bred by the Kanagawa Prefectural Nature Conservation Center.

Glass Forest Museum
“Glass Forest Museum” in Sengokuhara. This is one of the places you definitely want to visit when you come to Hakone. While having a cup of tea on the restaurant’s terrace, you can also overlook Owakudani and the central garden.

In the garden, you can enjoy the brilliance of each glass depending on the weather. Not only the beauty of the indoor works of art, but also the events are different each time, so you can take a walk in different seasons.

Please enjoy “Hakone” to the fullest
Besides the hot springs, Hakone has many attractions. You can get in touch with nature and art apart from your daily life, or you can go a little further and enjoy shopping. Please enjoy Hakone to your heart’s content in each customer’s style.

The Hakone Open Air Museum
About 100 sculptures, mainly modern and contemporary art, are exhibited in 70,000 square meters of greenery. You can take a closer look at the work, take a leisurely stroll, and interact with art as you wish.

Hakone Museum of Art
Located 630m above sea level on the hillside of Mt. Sounzan, Gora, Hakone, Japanese ancient ceramics from the Jomon period to the Edo period are exhibited. There is a garden that is rich in seasonal changes such as a moss garden and a bamboo garden.

Hakone Gora Park
It is the first wetland botanical garden in Japan that gathers representative plants that color the wetlands of Japan. Approximately 1,700 species of plants, including rare foreign mountain grasses, bloom in the park every season.

Hakone / Ashinoko Narukawa Art Museum
An art museum that exhibits the best views of Hakone and excellent works of contemporary Japan, with a panoramic view of Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji. Approximately 4000 items are stored, from masters of the painter to young talented groups full of individuality.

Hakone-en
Hakone-en on the shores of Lake Ashi. Aquariums, picnic gardens, ropeways, shopping malls, etc. Pleasure land to see, eat, play and stay.

Hakone Sekisho
Hakone Sekisho was completely restored in 2007. Introducing information about Hakone Sekisho, history and episodes related to Hakone Sekisho.

Hakone Shrine
It is an old shrine in the Kanto region that was built in the first year of Tenpyo-hoji (757) and is surrounded by nature such as the approach to old cedar and the pure forest of Himeshara. In the treasure hall, there are exhibits such as the sitting statue of Mangan Jojin, a national important cultural property, and the Hakone Gongen Engi Emaki.

Owakudani
Owakudani is a sightseeing spot in Hakone, a hot spring resort near Tokyo. I will tell you about the volcanic activity about 3000 years ago. The view of Mt. Fuji from the view spot is superb.

Hakone Laric Museum
An unprecedented museum where you can see the whole picture of Rene Lalique’s lifelong creative activities in a dramatic development. You can experience the atmosphere of the time at the special exhibition of the Salon Car Naniwa of the Orient Express.

Little Prince Museum Hakone Saint-Exupery
A museum that introduces the fairy tale “Prince of the Stars” and its author and aviator Saint-Exupery.

Pola Museum of Art
A museum in the forest of Himeshara where you can enjoy a wide variety of works of art, including Western paintings, Japanese Western paintings, Japanese paintings, Oriental ceramics, modern Japanese ceramics, glass crafts, and cosmetic tools.

Hakone Meissen Garden Museum
More than 300 rare antique collections from the world’s best Meissen kilns are on display at all times. You can also enjoy an elegant afternoon tea with a Meissen cup in the cafe or garden.

Hakone Botanical Garden
French style garden. A park with a bougainvillea hall, a tropical herb hall, a tropical rhododendron hall, and a white cloud cave tea garden. There is also an experience-based crafts center where you can experience the joy of manufacturing.

Gotemba Premium Outlets
A brand new style outlet born in the United States. It is the largest outlet-only shopping center in eastern Japan with a store area of ​​45,500 square meters and over 200 stores of domestic and overseas brands.

Website: www.kyuan.jp

Rooms: 10

Price: from 522 EUR per night

Hoeiso is a quiet and peaceful Japanese ryokan, surrounded by beautiful mountains andlush-green nature. We invite you to relax and allow the tranquility of the surroundingsto soothe your body and soul. Escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, listen to the sounds of nature, and enjoy a traditional Japanese lodging experience.

Our onsens are constantly filled by pure hot spring water that flows direct from the source, with overflow water being discharged into the river. Please note that to preserve the natural environment, the open air bath does not have a shower, soap, etc. Please enjoy soaking away your travel weariness in the traditional hot spring bath, surrounded by the magnificent natural scenery.

Indoor hot spring baths are open from 3pm to midnight and the outdoor hot spring baths are freely open from 3pm to 7.30pm. Open-air baths become private hot springs from 7.40pm; they are available for 30 minutes and can only be used once per group. Reservations for times can be made upon check-in.

Our open-air bath is surrounded by nature envelope. Located beside a clear stream and enjoying by the mountains of the Hakone-Yumoto area, it feels like a mythical paradise.Soak leisurely in the soothing waters, while listening to the chirping of birds and enjoying beautiful mountain views that showcase.

DELUXE ROOM
10 tatami mats in the main room with a comfortable and calm space – The next room with a sofa made of tatami mats. – and a terrace in the greenery with a sofa. – The ridgeline of Mt. Yusaka is so beautiful – You will feel as if your body is a part of the scenery. – In addition, natural materials such as white wood and lime were used in abundance to create a comfortable space.

DELUXE ROOM SOMEI 
Enjoy the beauty of the four seasons all to yourself… Spend a moment on the terrace…We have a 10 tatami-mat + 8 tatami-mat Japanese-style room, a Western-style room with walls made of natural materials that have various effects such as deodorizing.

The special room “Somei” has a terrace where you can enjoy the feeling of having the mountains across the street all to yourself. In this room, you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the four seasons. You can go out on the terrace and listen to the murmuring of the Sukumo River. You will feel as if you have this view all to yourself.

STANDARD ROOM
Surrounded by lush greenery, the rooms at Hōei-so offer a traditional Japanese experience that will make you feel nostalgic for times gone by. Gazing at the valley and the clouds flowing over the forest, you will lose track of time as you stay in the mountains.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and reset your body and mind. The two Japanese-style rooms are separated by a main room and asliding door. Various styles of rooms are available.

DINING
Pheasant meat is a kind of chicken meat. We serve pheasant meat that is both tasty and mild. It is known for being a healthy meat that is lean, hearty, and rich in protein and amino acids. The broth from the pheasant meat is also very mild and tasty.

KIJITEI YOGA
A time to get away from the daily routine and immerse yourself in nature. Early morning yoga classes are held every Thursday, Friday, and Sunday at Kijiji-tei, a 400-year-old traditional Japanese house located in the nature-rich Houei-so. Feel the power of nature and enhance your own strength and body to improve your mental and physical health.

SCENERY
The garden of Hoeiso is planted with various flowers, mainly wild grasses.Spring flowers, summer flowers, autumn flowers, winter flowers. An area centered on a stream. Area centered on the pond,Every season, I feel the change of flowers and enjoy it.

HAKONE
Hakone is one of the most popular destinations in Japan. It is a widespread area consisting of seven villages which each having its distinct history, surroundings and uniqueness. Hakone covers a wide mountainous area from low river valleys to the mountain lake with views of Mt.Fuji.

Travelling through Hakone allows you opportunity to discover and see a wide range of Japanese history, culture and experience. Your choice of accommodation will depend on your taste and travel logistics. The whole of Hakone is well connected by several means of transportation. Hakone warmly welcomes guests and looks forward to hosting you.

ASHIGARA
Ashigara in Kanagawa prefecture is roughly 80km from Tokyo with convenient access. Although many tourists chose to visit Hakone, nearby Ashigara has much to offer that cannot be found elsewhere. Once you step foot into this nature-rich area you would see the beautiful rural nature and culture.

The countryside to be found in Ashigara is still the same as in the olden days and conveys nostalgic beauty often depicted in folktales or artwork. There are several renowned Buddhist temples such as Saijyo-Ji temple to visit and experience the quiet flow of history.

MT.FUJI
Mount Fuji is the sacred symbol o Japan. Many people would have seen a picture of it or Fuji designed on Japanese products or in paintings by Hokusai. However, when you see the actual view of Mt.Fuji, one is lost for words.

Its presence is so serene. The beauty of its white summit is perfectly balanced, and however many times it is seen it is breathtaking. Mt.Fuji lies roughly 100km south-west of Tokyo and is visible from the modern city. However, the area surrounding Mt.Fuji offers an exceptional experience.

Historically Mt.Fuji has been a place of worship. Faith in Japan is often rooted in the natural world and whatever your views on religion may be, this outstanding area with its rich history and nature offers an unforgettable experience.

IZU PENINSULA
The Izu Peninsula is known for its beautiful coastlines, ocean, and scenic mountains. It is only a couple of hours from Tokyo making this area one of the top destinations among the Japanese to escape big cities. Mt.Fuji lies about 50 kilometers to the northwest and is visible from the peninsula’s western coast.

Website: www.hoeiso.jp

Rooms: 8

Price: from 332 EUR per night

In the magnificent nature, hot water is scented, and things of different times and spaces add color to the hall. I think of the founder, Manemon Matsuzaka.

A long- established inn that has been loved as a hot spring inn by the world of Edo so much that it is depicted in Ukiyo-e by Hiroshige Utagawa . The heroes of the Meiji era gathered, such as the meeting between Takayoshi Kido and Takamori Saigo and the stay of Shishi Bunroku.

Since then, many people, including the imperial family, have continued to visit. What captivates people is the highly effective and rare spring quality that can be enjoyed only here, including all three major skin-beautifying spring qualities of “sulfur spring,” “sulfate spring,” and “hydrogen carbonate spring .”

The abundant amount of hot water boasting 200 liters of water per minute is also a major reason. The source as it is, without any watering, heating, circulation, etc.

6 pavilions and 2 hot springs

There are 22 rooms in 6 buildings with different tastes on a site of 4,000 tsubo.  And two hot springs. From each building and hot spring, you can enjoy the view of the 2,000 tsubo wild garden and spend time in the romance of history. You can enjoy the extraordinary style.

Spring of buds, summer of dark green, autumn of autumn leaves, dignified and clear winter of snowy scenery. Please spend a comfortable time when you want to take a deep breath while you are drowsy with the changing facial expressions of the seasons.

You can fully enjoy the “100% free-flowing hot springs” that have just been created in the “open-air baths, indoor baths, footbaths” of the guest rooms as well as the “chartered hot springs open-air baths and large communal baths” in the hot springs.

Dining

The dinner that welcomes travelers is served at the time when it was crowded as a Hakone inn, and you can enjoy the taste of civilization with some nostalgic dishes at the “post station kaiseki”.

For breakfast, we prepare “Traveler’s breakfast” such as barley tororo, which is kind to the body, to nourish everyone who leaves. Please heal the tiredness of your trip and fully enjoy the simple yet delicious taste.

The Hot Springs
The hot springs that contain all of the “three major beautiful skin spring qualities” that spring up from the Edo period are still overflowing today. Ashikari-no-Yu flowing from the source.

“Ashinoyu Onsen” is the only hot spring resort in Kanagawa prefecture that has been selected as a national hot spring resort that is certified as a hot spring resort with excellent hot spring quality.

The color changes depending on the weather and temperature. A mysterious hot spring springs 200 liters per minute. Taking advantage of the abundant amount of hot water, you can enjoy the fresh, “100% source-flowing” hot springs that are rare in Hakone.

Enjoy the rare hot springs and hot springs that were counted as one of the seven hot springs in Hakone during the Edo period, in the large public baths of the hot spring inn Matsuzakaya Honten and the open-air baths in the guest rooms.

The hot springs that flow directly from the source of the hotel are “sulfur springs” that can be expected to “remove sebum and dirt, promote blood circulation, and promote metabolism.” “Sulfate spring” that coats the skin and restores firmness, moisturizes and moisturizes, arteriosclerosis, trauma, and itching of the skin.

It is a rare hot spring that contains all three major skin-beautifying springs of “hydrogen carbonate spring” that melts sebum and makes the skin smooth and smooth like soap, and is expected to be effective against skin diseases.

In addition, because it is weakly alkaline, it feels soft on the skin and has a spring quality that is difficult to hit with hot water.

Historical Village Hakone Ashinoyu Onsen

Ashinoyu is a hot spring resort with a long history in Hakone, where many historical sites from the Kamakura period, such as stone Buddhas and stone towers, remain.

Tokoan, where literary artists gathered during the Edo period, is located in the precincts of the Kumano Shrine, which is adjacent to the hotel. Ashinoyu is located along National Highway No. 1 and has good transportation. Lake Ashi, which is popular for sightseeing in Hakone, is about 8 minutes by car.

Website: www.matsuzakaya1662.jp

Rooms: 22

Price: from 420 EUR per night

Ryokan Seikoro Kyoto is an historic inn founded in 1831. The wooden main building is a pure Japanese-style building in 1901, but there is a drawing room with a romantic scent of Taisho near the lobby, creating a unique atmosphere.

All rooms are Japanese-style rooms with bath and toilet. For dinner, you can enjoy the Kyo Kaiseki course slowly in your room. The name of Seikoro was named to mean “a tower built on the banks of the sunny Kamo River”

The highest peak of bathing materials We used plenty of Takano Maki, which is over 400 years old. It is wrapped in an elegant color and scent to heal the tiredness of traveling. Hot water is a soft artificial hot spring that is kind to the skin.

All rooms are equipped with an indoor bath (wooden bath) and a toilet (washlet). LCD TV and air purifier are also available. Wireless LAN is also available free of charge. All rooms are non-smoking, so smoking is next to the entrance.  Please eat in the smoking space (outside). Meals will be served in the room for both dinner and breakfast.

Rooms: 22

Price: from 348 EUR per night

Source: www.seikoro.com

Sowaka is a Sanskrit word meaning “happiness” or “wellbeing.” It is a word of blessing, often spoken at the end of the Buddhist sutras that echo through the innumerable temples of Kyoto.

Once across the stone threshold, you are instantly transported to an oasis of calm. Relax in one of Sowaka’s 23 individually designed rooms, listening to gentle breezes blow through the green and tranquil courtyard. Situated in the charming neighborhood of Gion and Yasaka, the hotel effuses ethereal elegance in its luxurious space combining nostalgia with modernity.

Enjoy creative, distinctive Kyoto cuisine at La BOMBANCE Gion, the latest outpost of the award-winning Tokyo restaurant. Meanwhile the ancient streets and charming neighborhoods of Kyoto are just outside your door. “Sowaka” represents the very best wishes to our beloved guests. May you enjoy an abundance of blessings.

ACCOMMODATION
The main building, formerly a traditional Japanese restaurant, follows the Sukiya architectural style that dates back a hundred years. The Annex, which adjoins it, was built to complement the main building’s original design using the best modern architectural and construction techniques.

What both of these spaces have in common is the spirit of “suki” (“refined taste”). “Suki” brings to mind traditions such as the tea ceremony, but the origin of the phrase is “to like.” The Sukiya architectural style is meant to please guests with its playful, unconventional approach, based on the designs of traditional Japanese tea ceremony rooms.

Accordingly, each of Sowaka’s spacious guestrooms has its own charm. The main building offers rooms with a distinctively Japanese “suki” spirit, inherited from past generations, while the annex rooms bring the concept of “suki” into the modern age.

MAIN BUILDING
The main building was constructed in the sukiya architectural style as a Japanese-style restaurant between the end of the Taisho Period and around the beginning of the Showa Period. The design details differ from room to room, creating a sophisticated building showcasing superb craftsmanship and playfulness.

Based on the original structure and details,the eleven pleasantly arranged guestrooms come in a wide variety,including rooms with a private garden and maisonnette-type rooms. Our guests can savor the distinctive charm of each individual room.

GARDEN VIEW SUITE
This suite was formerly called the “Horagaino-ma” (“Conch Shell Room”), in reference to the vivid design of the conch shell-shaped door handles. Opening the sliding door, you can find yourself in an open and luxurious bedroom surrounded by the traditional clay walls skillfully finished with a delicate touch. The room boasts the beautifully serene view of the main garden, Sowaka’s heartful pride.

LA BOMBANCE GION
The restaurant La Bombance Gion is located on the first floor of the Annex. It is overseen by the award-winning La Bombance restaurant in Nishi-azabu, Tokyo, which has held a Michelin star for ten consecutive years starting in 2008.

La Bombance Gion uses locally sourced ingredients to create a seasonal menu that changes monthly, featuring dishes that are an elegant, imaginative reinterpretation of traditional Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is reserved for SOWAKA guests only during breakfast, and is open to the general public for lunch and dinner.

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS 
We at La Bombance Gion wish for all of our customers to enjoy our food to the greatest extent possible and ask in advance whether there are any allergies or religious or other dietary restrictions that need to be taken into consideration.

If there are any ingredients that you cannot eat or are allergic to, please let us know in advance. We will respond to your needs to the greatest extent possible, but please keep in mind that since ingredients must be purchased in advance, giving us one week’s notice will allow us to provide you with dishes tailored to suit your needs.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we will do everything possible to ensure that your experience here at La Bombance Gion is a satisfying one. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

BREAKFAST
Two types of breakfast are available at Sowaka: Japanese and Western, both prepared with fresh Japanese dashi-soup. Japanese style features handmade tofu, a warm omelet, and Saikyo style grilled fish, served with rice, miso soup and plenty of seasonal vegetables. Western style features scrambled eggs, grilled vegetables, sausages, soup, yogurt and handmade fresh juice.

LUNCH
Lunch at La Bombance offers a relaxed and casual menu, prepared using the same ingredients, and with the same skill, as the restaurant’s elegant dinner service. From a hearty tuna bowl to beef sukiyaki, guests are sure to enjoy a satisfying meal.

DINNER
La Bombance proudly presents authentic Japanese cuisine with a modern touch of flavors. The monthly menu utilizes fresh local seasonal ingredients; just like La Bombance in Nishi-azabu, the chef prepares each dish with a story to tell, creating long lasting memories for our guests. Our menu offers both a set course and à la carte dishes.

THE CHEF – MAKOTO OKAMOTO
Born 1973 in Niigata Prefecture. Having worked at one of Japan’s most famous restaurants, Tokyo’s Kioicho Fukudaya, Mr. Okamoto opened the original La Bombance in 2004 which was immediately recognized for its innovative approach to Japanese cuisine.

He has received a Michelin star for 10 consecutive years beginning in 2008. In 2016, Mr. Okamoto opened La Bombance Hong Kong, and La Bombance Gion, in Kyoto’s Sowaka luxury ryokan, in 2019.

TAILORED EXPERIENCES
Specially tailored tours of some of Kyoto’s most unique attractions make for a truly memorable stay Sowaka provides guests with various exclusive opportunities to experience Kyoto and enjoy their stay, including tours of shrines and temples that are not usually open to the public, as well as hands-on cultural experiences.

ZAZEN MEDITATION
“Zazen” — literally “sitting meditation” in Japanese — is a form of meditation practiced by Zen Buddhist monks and priests. While its history goes back millennia, “Zazen” found a foothold in Kyoto in the early 13th century.

In collaboration with “Kanza Kyoto”, an organization led by monks from Kyoto, you can experience “Zazen” in your room at SOWAKA. In a world full of entangled information and emotions, slow down in our quiet little corner of Gion and find pure peace of mind.

THE KYOTO CUISINE 
Kyoto is also synonymous with the word “Maiko”. Anyone can have the experience of spending time with maiko by taking part in “An Evening of Kyoto Cuisine with Maiko”, a dinner event held at Gion Hatanaka.

Sowaka can arrange attendance for its overnight guests at this event as well. This incredible experience that includes a maiko dance performance and parlor games with maiko will surely create lasting memories of your travels in Kyoto.

LOBBY LOUNGE
Upon arriving at Sowaka, please make yourself at home here while we take care of your luggage and serve you a welcome drink. Relax in the lounge’s luxurious, comfortable seating, examine the many unique features that have been preserved from the original antique building or browse its carefully curated library of books about sukiya, which we invite you to peruse during your stay.

BAR
This intimate space just off the reception area was designed by Kyoto master craftsman Sotoji Nakamura. The drinks menu emphasizes local ingredients, including sake, shochu and whiskey distilled in Japan. The private setting, seating only four guests, is also a good place to relax and read during the day.

ROOF BALCONY
The rooftop balcony of Sowaka’s main building presents a wonderful view of Higashiyama and the town of Kyoto beneath a vast open sky. During the summer, feel free to relax in the cool of the evening breeze with a beer in hand, while viewing Kyoto’s Gozan Okuribi (Mountain Bonfire) festival, or the Buddhist lantern festival. The roof balcony is also where we host seasonal themed events exclusively for hotel guests.

SPA & WELLNESS
Refresh both your body and mind with our superb lineup of spa treatments. Our Oil Treatment uses the finest organic jojoba oil as well as a fulvic acid extract that contains 26 types of amino acids, 39 minerals, vitamins, and more.

The mineral supplement and detoxing effect help to alleviate stiff shoulders and swelling. The Face Pack is a gentle massage given with plenty of beauty essence. This treatment will leave your skin in exceptional condition and your mind and body feeling refreshed.

The Massage and Stretch treatment is recommended for those with built-up fatigue. Our skilled therapists provide both gentle stimulation and deep treatment for relaxation down to the core of your body.

KIMONO RENTAL & FITTING 
There is a story behind each and every one of Sowaka’s rental kimonos. For example, the mysterious dyeing style known as Tsujigahana, kosode (short-sleeved kimono) that hearkens back to the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568-1600), Kyo-Yuzen that adds extravagance to any setting, and Edo-Komon in an Ameiri-Mansuji pattern with its modern, poetic air.

Wearing one of these kimonos gives you a direct experience with traditional Japanese culture. The next question is where to go in your kimono. Each kimono is carefully chosen to match with the occasion and formality of the wearer’s destination.

This means you can wear a perfectly suited kimono with confidence to any occasion, whether it’s to watch Noh or Kabuki theater, a tea ceremony, or dinner at a top-class restaurant. English-language support is available from the time of fitting.

CHAJI TEA CEREMONY
Participate in an authentic “chaji” tea ceremony that takes place in a tranquil tearoom. Chaji is the most highly valued form of hospitality by tea ceremony masters. From Sumitemae (initial charcoal setting) to Chakaiseki (multi-course meal), Koicha (thick tea), and Usucha (thin tea), the tea master of the Yabunouchi school of tea ceremony for samurai families will guide you through this experience.

You can feel the compassion in each and every step of the ceremony as you come to know and understand the true nature of tea. The whole experience lasts for two and a half hours. The beautiful moments you experience in this small teahouse will fill your heart with joy.

The chaji tea ceremony is typically done only among people with very close personal relationships, so it is a very rare thing to experience even for people who have spent a long time in Japan. This experience is highly recommended. English and Chinese language support are also available.

ELEMENTS OF KYOTO
Sowaka’s furnishings and amenities highlight the very best of local Kyoto craftsmanship. Sowaka’s guest rooms are decorated with carefully selected furniture, fixtures and amenities, all of which are closely connected to Kyoto. These unique furnishings naturally complement the traditional design of your room, helping turn your stay into an immersive, luxurious experience.

NATURAL WOOL MATTRESS 
It has been Iwata’s sole purpose to provide comfortable bedding since its establishment as a futon shop in Kyoto’s Sanjo district in 1830. Our guest rooms feature Iwata’s “Larkowl” high-performance mattresses.

These mattresses are made with high-grade natural wool such as cashmere and camel hair, and do not bounce or squeak like spring mattresses or accumulate odors like urethane mattresses. Densely cushioned, with just the right amount of support, Iwata mattresses make for a comfortable, restful night’s sleep.

KITAYAMA CEDAR 
These uniquely shaped Bluetooth speakers are made locally by Kyoto Natural Factory out of Kitayama cedar, grown in the northern part of Kyoto. This dense, sturdy wood has long been prized as a traditional building material, particularly for making alcove posts in tea ceremony rooms and Japanese-style houses.

The cedar logs are carefully hollowed into cylinders to form the speaker body. Each speaker is masterfully handmade by the craftsmen of Kyoto. We hope you enjoy their warm tone, produced by all-natural Japanese wood.

BATH AMENITIES FROM KAZURASEI SHINISE
Our bath amenities, including soaps, shampoos and skin care products, are all from the long-established Kazurasei Shinise shop, which has been selling beauty products and hair accessories since 1861.

Camellia oil has long been used as a beauty treatment in Japan. This pure oil, rich in nourishing vitamins, gently moistens the hair and skin. Kazurasei Shinise’s hair care and skin care products are made with 100% organic camellia oil extracted by the shop’s unique manufacturing method.

UNDERGROUND WATER
Surrounded on three sides by mountains, the valley in which Kyoto sits contains an abundance of pure, clean water. Our hotel uses that natural water drawn directly from the ground beneath our site. Having benefited from this water for ages, the people of Kyoto have made it part of the culture.

In many legends, the waters of Kyoto are said to possess spiritual power, including the Otowa-no-taki waterfall of Kiyomizu Temple and the sacred Gion water of Yasaka Shrine, both of which are located near the hotel. This soft underground water, which has extremely low levels of calcifying ions, is distinguished for its delicate feel on the skin and its pure, smooth taste.

VISIT TO KIYOMIZU-DERA TEMPLE 
Take a special tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, guided by one of the priests of the temple, and get exclusive access to areas that are normally off-limits to the public, including the Sange on the Footprints of the Buddha, the inner shrine of the main temple building, and the temple’s famous Jojuin Moon Garden. Take a step back from the worries and cares of modern life to find serenity among these centuries-old sites.

NIGHT VISIT TO KODAIJI TEMPLE
Kita-no-Mandokoro, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the legendary 16th-century Imperial Regent of Japan, built Kodaiji Temple as a place to pray for the repose of her husband’s soul after his death.

Many people visit this temple every year to witness the weeping cherry tree rising up from the Hojo Garden, or the splendor of the red autumn leaves reflecting in Garyochi Pond when the temple is lit up in the fall. Sowaka reserves Kodaiji Temple at night specially for its guests. Amid the silence, enjoy this luxurious experience set in a space rich with history and culture.

GARDEN TOUR
It is Sowaka’s intention to enable our guests to experience “the real thing,” including the craftsmanship of the craftsmen involved and Japanese cultural tradition. One way for us to provide guests with this experience is by arranging garden tours led by a gardener of Ueyakato Landscape Co., Ltd., who takes care of the garden and planting at Sowaka’s main building.

At the core of authentic Japanese culture and tradition, including the tea ceremony and flower ceremony, is the heart of the Japanese people who revere and cherish nature. How did our predecessors perceive and confront nature? This tour provides a look at the aesthetic sense of the Japanese people as seen in a Japanese garden, from the perspective of a gardener.

We arrange programs for our guests to experience the gardens at the temples Nanzenji, Murinan and Chishakuin, maintained by Ueyakato Landscape Co., Ltd., and even gardens that are not usually open to the public, at the best times to see them during each of the four seasons.

BICYCLE RENTAL
Hop on a bicycle and take a cruise around Kyoto as if you lived there. The city is compact and has lots of things to see; it’s like a treasure chest of a city. Bicycles are the perfect way to get around town. The Gion District where Sowaka is located lies in the heart of Kyoto. This makes it an ideal starting point for anywhere you want to go.

From historical spots, temples, and shrines to cafes and used bookstores, pedaling your bike through the breeze of this ancient capital is a great way to become familiar with both the old and new aspects of Kyoto.

SUNRISE VISIT TO KIYOMIZU-DERA TEMPLE
The striking Kiyomizu-dera Temple attracts more visitors than any other sightseeing spot in Kyoto. Avoid the crowds with a special visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site before breakfast, as the lights begins to touch the rooftops of Higashiyama and the wind murmurs in the trees of Mt. Kiyomizu.

The silent precincts of the temple provide the perfect escape from the daily hustle and bustle, and make for a blissful start to your day.

WALKING AROUND SOWAKA
Sowaka is located in Higashiyama, which, with so many famous sites, is the best area for walking around Kyoto. Ishibekoji, Nenenomichi, Ninenzaka and Sanneizaka, whose townscape is strictly preserved and maintained by Kyoto City law as a historic building preservation district, have many must-see sights that you can enjoy while just walking around.

Recommended is the walking course to Maruyama Park and Chion-in Temple by way of Ishibekoji to Nenenomichi. Beyond the stone-paved street of distinctive ambience are buildings you can enjoy while walking around, including Gionkaku of Daiun-in Temple, which can be seen from Sowaka, and Chourakukan, whose classic Renaissance exterior produces an elegant atmosphere.

DISCOVER THE SPIRIT OF KYOTO 
Experience the hustle and bustle of Japan’s ancient capital, with its historic shrines and temples and alleyways overflowing with charm. Sowaka is located in Gion Higashiyama, a popular area that embodies the essence of Kyoto elegance. Here is an introduction to some of the most popular nearby attractions.

HANAMIKOJI-DORI & SHIRAKAWA-DORI STREET
Hanamikoji-dori Street is the center of Gion Kobu, one of Kyoto’s five hanamachi, or geisha districts, and is a splendid location for a late night walk. This street is quiet late at night, making the daytime noises seem like a distant memory, and occasionally you will see maiko (geisha in training) passing by.

Shirakawa-dori, north of the hotel, is one of the city’s most beautifully preserved streets and is also a splendid experience. There you can listen to the comforting murmur of the river as you watch the reflections of the willow trees dance across the surface.

YASAKA-JINJA SHRINE 
Steps from Sowaka is the Yasaka shrine, one of Kyoto’s most important temples. It is the center of the famous Gion Festival, held every July, which features a grand procession of floats through the streets of the city.

Besides the Gion Festival, there are other festivals held here each month, including Hatsuzakura Noh (Noh for the first cherry blossoms of the year), the Tanabata Star Festival and the Moon Viewing Festival, all of which are popular among the local people of Kyoto.

KENNINJI TEMPLE
Popularly known as “Kennen-san,” this Zen temple and its grounds are open 24 hours a day, allowing local people to pass through at any time. Meditating on a summer morning is particularly refreshing, both physically and mentally, and is an excellent way to recharge after a night out in Gion.

FUSHIMI INARI-TAISHA
Take a visit to Fushimi Inari-taisha, the main shrine to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. The temple is legendary for its thousands of vermillion torii gates, which line its hillside paths. It is an exceptional place to capture breathtaking pictures.

The word for vermillion in Japanese, ake, can mean both “red” and “light” – that is to say, the color symbolizes bright hope, and also represents the power of life, earth, and birth, which are all presided over by Inari.

Rooms: 23

Price: from 241 EUR per night

Source: www.sowaka.com

Seryo is a Ryokan located within the naturesque countryside of Ohara, Kyoto. Spend a tranquil moment in the peaceful atmosphere of Ohara after sightseeing through the hustle and bustle of Kyoto City. Seryo accommodates you with a total of ９ Japanese, Western or Japanese-western type guestrooms all facing the beautifully landscaped Japanese garden. Providing relaxing hospitality to all our guests.

Our two spacious and luxurious Japanese-style rooms can accommodate up to five guests. From the open-air baths overlooking Ōhara’s beautiful mountains, one can enjoy the hot springs while gazing at the setting sun.

SPRINGS
Melt away your travel fatigue in the natural hot springs of Ohara surrounded by the naturesque tranquility of the county mountains. Good for neuralgia, muscle pains, arthritis and other joint pain, shoulder pains, motor paralysis, stiff joints, bruising, sprains, chronic indigestion, hemorrhoids, circulation, rehabilitation and fatigue.

The hot springs of Ohara are dug up in the north eastern valleys of Kyoto. 1175 meters in depth pushing out an impressive 120 liters per minute at 27.9 °C.
The hot springs are rich in Natrium ions and Hydrogen carbonate ions which are effective for beautiful and healthy skin.

The downcast waters contain radon measurements of 25 (x10 – 10 Curies/ kg). Nearly skimming the standard level of radioactivity in water which is 30 (x10 – 10 Curies/ kg). This kind of hot spring is rare to find in the Kansai region.

The clear and colorless waters, abundant in healthy elements are mild on the skin and great for relaxing and rejuvenation after surgery or sickness, breaking a bone and external wounds.

This mineral hot springs will make you feel refreshed and leave you with soft, smooth skin. Also, the ph level is at a minimal 8.7. Along with that and other effective substances such as Natrium and mineral ions, feel beautiful in your freshly pampered skin. You can expect the best of this rare hot springs effective for sensitive skin and treatment dug up from 1175 meters below in the hilly grounds of Kyoto.

FOOD
Enjoy the best of Seryo’s prided vegetable Kaiseki cuisine prepared with seasonal Kyoto harvested vegetables, Home-grown vegetables and mountain vegetables. Together with specially selected locally-brewed Kyoto Sake, experience a little taste of heaven on earth.

SOSAIMI KAISEKI
Enjoy the best of Seryo’s prided vegetable Kaiseki cuisine prepared with seasonal Kyoto harvested vegetables, Home-grown vegetables and mountain vegetables. Together with specially selected locally brewed Kyoto Sake creates a little taste of heaven on earth.

KUROGE JAPANESE BEEF
Our specially selected domestic Kuroge Beef Shabu-shabu hot pot is healthy and a popular choice among women.

KYOTO SAKE & WINE
Together with specially selected locally-brewed Kyoto Sake, experience a little taste of heaven on earth.

BREAKFAST
We have prepared a healthy breakfast menu using boiled tofu from the famed tofu restaurant of Shimogamo in Kyoto city, along with fresh vegetables.

HINASATO RESTAURANT 
Rejuvenate yourself with the sound of the trickling stream and natural breezes on the porch of Hinasato. On warm days you can enjoy breakfast outside on the porch. Inside Seryo, our prided spacious wooden hall is available if you’re travelling in larger groups.

SANZEN-IN TEMPLE
Sanzen-in temple, also known as Kajii goten, is one of the 5 aristocratic temples of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. Saicho, a famous Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Tendai sect of Buddhism built a small temple on mount Hiei after the war of onin and moved to Ohara.

Using the most of the natural hilly landscape, you can find a small hut mainly used for Buddhist services and enjoy a relaxing walk around two beautiful Japanese gardens built around large ponds. The Shuheki-en and Yusei-en gardens.

The main temple or paradise of peacefulness lies in the garden of Yusei-en surrounded by moss and beautiful Japanese cedar and maple trees. The ceiling of the hall that houses the Buddha is famous and is structured in an arch shape called “Funazoko-kei” which means the shape of a boat floor.

The artwork of two bodhisattva sitting on each side of the Amida Buddha called “Honzon Amida nyorai” is a famous piece you can find within. If you wish, you are allowed to write a copy of the Sutra.

JAKKO-IN TEMPLE
Jakko-in temple is a nunnery located up the stone path in the opposite direction of Sanzen-in temple from the Ohara bus terminal. Through the gates you will find the beautiful garden and structures of the main temple and study.

The Migiwa pond and garden next to the main temple was depicted in the Japanese folktale “The tale of Heike” and is famous for its mysterious structure. The garden faces frontward from any angle.

HOSEN-IN TEMPLE
A popular temple for its illumination events, originally built as a sub-temple built as an announcement hall of Shorin-in temple. With a beautiful view of mountains in the distance, a bamboo grove in arms reach and surroundings of short trees and bushes, take one step out from the sliding paper doors of the temple and feel like you’ve entered into a picture frame.

The beautiful garden that expands right before your eyes is especially magnificent in the fall with the firing colors of the autumn foliage. The famous ceiling of the hallway is known as “Momoyama no Chi tenjo” (The Momoyama ceiling of blood).

This is where the memorial service took place for the hundreds of men who took their own lives with their own swords at the battle of Fushimi Castle. Admission includes a serving of Matcha green tea and sweets. Sit back and enjoy a relaxing time at Ohara. Light up events take place in the spring and fall. Located 3 minutes on foot from Seryo.

JIKKO-IN TEMPLE
Located just north of Sanzen-in temple. Jikko-in was constructed by Jikaku Enin (Disciple of Saicho, founder of Tendai sect) in purpose of practice Buddhist services and ceremonies with music and melody, a ritual he had brought back from China.

Within the hall you can find instruments used in the study of musical chanting rituals a reproduced picture of 36 poetic genius of China. To the west of the prayer hall, you can find Kyurikakuin-teien, a garden landscaped for a relaxing walk around the pond.

Here you can find a rare type of cherry blossom that buds in October and blooms throughout the fall and winter until the spring. Appreciate the best of fall and spring with the beautiful Keishin-en garden and pond.

RAIGO-IN TEMPLE 
Just up along the Rogawa-river outside Sanzen-in temple, you will find an old temple gate and the entrance to Raigo-in temple. A historical location of Buddhist chants and melodies in Ohara believed to be the origin of Japanese folk songs.

Commonly known are Joruri, a type of sung narrative accompanied by Shamisen commonly heard in Japanese puppet theatre, Yokyoku, vocal music used in Noh theatre and Minyo another type of Japanese folk song usually describing tales about the lifestyle of common people in other regions.

Every Sunday from 1:00pm, you can experience the authentic ritual of Buddhist chanting and melody. Here in the relaxing main temple, you can also find the rare wooden sculptures of Yakushi, Amida and Shaka, the 3 gods of Buddha plated with Japanese lacquer and gold leaf made during the Fujiwara reign between approx. 1200 － 1300.

AMIDA-DERA TEMPLE
The dojo hall of Myoho Buddhist prayer was founded by the Buddhist saint, Mokujiki-Shonin Tansei in 1609. The main Buddha’s head piece was made by Tansei himself.

You can also find the cave where the body of Tansei is preserved in a Sokushin Jobutsu method. (A Shingon tradition where it is believed that one becomes Buddha in its present physical body.) The sitting Amida Buddha figure is considered a significant national preservation.

JAPANESE PAPER: MOTOSHIRO
The store itself is quite spacious and has an assortment of small souvenirs and gifts displayed in aisles and on the walls. In the back, there is a selection of hand-made “Washi” (Japanese paper) with carefully chosen trim to decorate the edges.

Just beside the store, there is a small workshop where you can try your own hand at making Japanese Washi yourself. The process is quite simple and doesn’t take up too much time. Once you’re finished, you have your own original piece which you can take home right away.

They wrap it up in a nice little package for you and its lots of fun! Even big time Hollywood star Robin Williams had dropped by this little shop to get his hands-on experience making Washi. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!

KOBO AI NO YAKATA
“Ai-zome” (Indigo dye), an old traditional technique from ancient Japan, is the process of fermentation of natural lye which is known as “Japanese Indigo Dye” or “Japan blue”. Unlike fabrics that are manufactured with chemical dyes, the authentic indigo dyed fabric does not fade in the wash.

In fact, the more you wash the fabric, the indigo dye will soak deeper into the threads which make it tougher and long lasting. Not only that, indigo textiles are affective for repelling unwanted bugs, so it’s great for children. The popularization of Japan Blue continues to spread across the country.

RAKU-YAKI & ASHIYU
“Raku-yaki” (Easy pottery) is a great hands-on experience and one of the most popular activities with school kids visiting on field trips. There are over 30 different ready-made pottery pieces you can choose from and you can paint and design it with your own creative ideas.

The glazing and baking process is all handled by the staff. It takes roughly 10 minutes to bake in the kiln, and you can take it home on the spot. It makes a great souvenir, and a wonderful memory of your trip you can cherish forever. Enjoy a nice relaxing foot bath and a refreshing drink in the café while waiting for your pieces to bake.

Rooms: 10

Price: from 427 EUR per night

Source: www.seryo.co.jp

Hanamurasaki is a traditional Japanese inn but it has unique style. Hanamurasaki at Yamanaka Onsen is in a location which is almost the same distance from major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya, moreover is very easily accessible and just about 30 min by car(taxi) from Komatsu Airport.

The best thing about Hanamurasaki is cuisine. Based on traditional Japanese cuisine, the chef cooks seasonal local ingredients with the skill of a master. We serve dishes with local crafts such as Yamanaka lacquerware and Kutani ware. Please enjoy the dishes that you can feel with all five senses.

A view facing the Kakusenkei gorge,feel the beauty of Japanese architecture. All the rooms facing the river and Kakusenkei gorge, which are very calm and quiet.
You can enjoy the view of Japanese four seasons scenery and peaceful atmosphere.

The spaciously arranged guest rooms have materials and wall specifications that pursue the beauty of Japanese architecture. The space which is furnished in the tea-ceremony pavilion style is filled with a high quality atmosphere imbibed with calm. Each room has a view of Kakusen Gorge and guests can spend a relaxing moment.

We also provide a suite room that is installed open-air onsen bath and sauna inside of the room. The suites both are the size 170 square meter wide. Comfort suite Haru-1, it is furnished as modern Japanese style.

Comfort suite Natsu-1, it is furnished as western style. The individual rooms are comforting, have a sense of spaciousness, are calm and can be used a place for a relaxing chat.

Feel healing by the high quality hot spring. Yamanaka onsen is natural hot spring from boasting more than 1300 years history. Feel healing by the high quality hot spring. The onsen is not only good for health but also increases the skin’s elasticity, giving the skin a silky and smooth texture.

Rooms: 27

Price: from 547 EUR per night

Source: www.hana-mura.com

HOSHINOYA Tokyo lies in the city’s economic center, a short walk from Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. In contrast with its grand facade, the 17-story hotel offers a relaxed ambience with a sense of intimacy and surprise–qualities that are rooted in traditional Japanese hospitality.

Each floor is an exclusive domain, accessible only by the guests staying there, and with a dedicated staff in place to meet their every need, as well as to maintain the elegant customs that have been honored for centuries at the traditional Japanese inn–the ryokan.

Initially, the ryokan appears as a tall black monolith that blends in with its surroundings, a landscape of towering office buildings that compose Tokyo’s financial heart. As you get closer, you see that its dark exterior is actually an elegant lattice of leaf-like patterns, or komon, that veils the ryokan.

Outside the entrance are multihued stone benches shaped like boats and planters that resemble ikebana vases, forming a contemporary Zen garden. You soon realize there is nothing monolithic about this ryokan.

The enormous entryway door–made from a single cut of cypress–quietly opens. A guide in a kimono greets you with a smile, closing the door behind you as you step inside. Suddenly, all noise has come to a standstill.

A long tatami hallway extends before you, ending at an alcove that displays a seasonal ikebana arrangement. An impressive array of bamboo shoeboxes lines the hallway. You take off your shoes and walk down the hallway in your socks.

It is what you had imagined a traditional ryokan would be, and yet completely different. You quietly marvel at this seamless marriage of the traditional and the contemporary.

THE HEART OF A JAPANESE RYOKAN
To the sound of wooden clappers, you arrive at your floor–a ryokan within the ryokan composed of guestrooms and a lounge called an ochanoma. Seasonal sake and confectionery are set out in the lounge for guests on the same floor to enjoy at any time. You imagine you will be spending a lot of time here, and that you may often encounter the other guests. Perhaps, you might make some new friends.

The books in the lounge change throughout the day, as if an invisible proprietor were letting his presence and character be felt. You begin to understand the importance of the ochanoma in ryokan culture. It is more than just a common living space for guests; it is the beating heart of the establishment.

STIMULATING DETAILS
As you put on the kimono that has been laid out for you in your room, you notice how quiet it is. It is an elegant silence that permeates the ryokan, accentuating the details–such as the aesthetic shadows that form on the tatami floor as sunlight passes through the komon-patterned lattice veiling the building, the scent of bamboo released when opening the closet, and the intricate tatami grains. Every element stimulates the senses, emboldening you to venture into town while dressed in your kimono.

A PRIVATE DOMAIN 
HOSHINOYA Tokyo is structured like a tower where every floor functions as a 6-room ryokan, an exclusive domain accessible only to guests staying on that floor. Most activity takes place in the ochanoma–a lounge that is seamlessly connected to every room on the floor via a tatami-matted corridor.

Like in ochanoma at classic ryokans, a wide selection of refreshments–seasonal teas and confectionery during the day–are set out for guests staying on that floor to enjoy at any time.

Guests are encouraged to treat the ochanoma as their own living room, where they may read a book, do some work, or relax and pass the time. Rooms combine traditional design with contemporary furnishings, but the lighting is classically Japanese.

Windows hidden behind shoji screens can be opened during the day to let the light project elegant shadows on the tatami floors; lights concealed behind walls and in paper-like casings produce soft illumination. Baths are wide and deep so that guests may fully soak themselves in the water.

KIKU ROOM
Soft sunlight pours in through the paper window screens in these south-facing corner rooms, which are about twice as large as the Yuri and Sakura rooms. Furnishings include a dining table, a small desk, and a sofa that is wide enough to lie on.

The bathroom features a satisfyingly deep bathtub and a shower stall, with windows that can be opened to bring in cool winds. Up to three Japanese futons can be laid out on the bed stand.

THE RYOKAN CONCEPT 
Azuma, who has designed all four HOSHINOYA resorts to date, designed the interior and acted as consultant for the exterior, which was built by large-scale construction specialists Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei and NTT Facilities.

Building a ryokan right in the middle of Tokyo was always going to be an ambitious project, but it was important that such scale did not overwhelm the HOSHINOYA ethos. Azuma, therefore, started with the most basic concepts associated with ryokan.

Upon arrival at a traditional ryokan, a guest first removes their shoes, and is then led to their room. Although simple in nature, this process is significant.

It is both an invitation for the guest to treat the entire building as if it were their home, as well as a confirmation of the inn’s exclusivity—one cannot enter the premises uninvited. Believing this to be a valuable cultural experience, Azuma used this as a basis for her entire interior design concept.

She started by making sure every walkable surface, including corridors, was layered with soft tatami matting; unlike the typical ryokan, there are no wooden floors. She then outfitted the rooms and public areas with furnishings that encourage a floor-level style of relaxation as is traditional in Japan.

The exterior of the structure is shrouded by a metal lattice of komon patterns. These patterns are traditionally featured on kimonos and are designed to be difficult to discern from a distance, while revealing their elegance up close.

By veiling the building behind this classic design, Azuma has given it the look of an elegant jewel box hidden among the soaring office buildings that surround it. HOSHINOYA Tokyo promises a new kind of ryokan experience for both Japanese and non-Japanese guests.

ADDING COLOR TO THE URBAN LANDSCAPE
Hasegawa designed the resort’s landscaping in collaboration with Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei. Unlike the sprawling, secluded premises of other HOSHINOYA resorts, HOSHINOYA Tokyo is a singular building that shares a public urban landscape with other high-rises.

Hasegawa sought to ensure that the area immediately around the building clearly announced itself as an extension of the premises, while also contributing something new to the local landscape.

HOSHINOYA resorts have always served as conduits to the unique features that can be found in their locations; in this case, Hasegawa latched onto the city’s ability to conjure the feeling of a great amount of space on even the tiniest of plots.

To that end, Hasegawa built an inviting garden-like space that contrasts greatly with the buildings that tower all around. Four bands of patterns weave through the space, flowing around a collection of tiny objects.

There are small, intricately sculpted trees, benches shaped like boats, and planters designed to look like decorative vases. Each item is a work of art painstakingly created by artisans such as Kyoto’s Ueyakato Landscape Co. and wood and ceramic furniture makers Apex.

These objets d’art reflect the artisanal essence of traditional ryokan and offer a preview of the purely Japanese experience that awaits inside.

REPLICATING THE WARM LIGHTING OF A RYOKAN
Takeishi created the resort’s lighting design in collaboration with Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei. Although Takeishi ensured that certain aspects of the lighting were commanding enough for the resort to stand up to the contemporary high-rises all around, his main focus was on replicating the warmth associated with ryokan.

In other words—light that is inviting, light that breathes, light that lingers, and light with a sense of interplay. For the exterior, he used upper lights to create gradation over the lattice of patterns veiling the building so that it would stand out.

In the entrance, guests are welcomed by washi paper pendants that echo traditional Japanese paper lanterns, as well as walls with lights imbedded in a checkered pattern. In the private spaces, Takeishi designed a more subdued lighting scheme. The tatami corridors just outside the guestrooms are lit from behind shoji sliding doors.

Rooms, themselves, are gently lit via indirect lighting from the ceiling, as well as floor-level light stands (based on andon paper lamps) with arrow feather motifs.

The communal baths, which are unusual in that they have open roofs, feature indirect lighting from the walls. This creates a relaxing ambience while enhancing the natural light from above, simulating the experience of bathing in an outdoor hot spring.

The aim of this lighting scheme is to encourage guests to stay at the resort, get comfortable, and spend long, relaxing hours inside without feeling the need to leave.

DINING
Every season, Japan’s forests produce a rich variety of minerals that sustain the ingredients I use in my cooking. My goal at HOSHINOYA Tokyo is to show the world how wonderful these ingredients are.

Through my Nippon Cuisine, I want guests to enjoy these minerals produced by Japan’s forests. Japan is surrounded by seas that are visited by warm and cold currents–ideal conditions for raising high-quality fish.

Over 70 percent of Japan is hilly or mountainous and full of nutrient-rich soil. Rainwater carries these nutrients to the sea, allowing for an even higher quality of fish. The minerals of Japan’s forests have nurtured rich culinary cultures across the country; some vegetable and fish delicacies can only be found in certain parts of Japan.

As head chef of the only genuine ryokan in Tokyo, I feel it is my duty to treat my guests to these hidden delights–to give them a taste of not just the best of Tokyo, but the best of Japan.

We often talk of ingredients being “in season.” What most people don’t know is that this season lasts for just two or three days. This is why I procure my ingredients only from trusted farmers and fishermen who always send me ingredients when they are at their best.

Sometimes, I receive quality fish that can only be found in one specific part of Japan. Every morning, these select ingredients arrive at our doorstep. I study each ingredient, waiting for it to speak to me so I can transform it into a wonderful dish, made with skill and inspiration.

Every day, I discover something new about the minerals produced by Japan’s forests–they really are one of Japan’s greatest treasures. In a way, the hills and the seas do half my job for me.

My hope is that Nippon Cuisine finds a worldwide audience so that even the lesser-known culinary delights of Japan can enjoy the spotlight, along with the wonderful farmers and fishermen who deliver them to my kitchen.

NIPPON CUISINE
Guests are served Nippon Cuisine, a culinary style that focuses on fish–a common staple of ryokan dining and a key element in Japanese culinary culture. Every ingredient is flavored with carefully selected seasonings and prepared by our executive chef, using his award-winning French techniques.

THE EXECUTIVE CHEF – NORIYUKI HAMADA 
After becoming the youngest winner of the Bocuse d’Or Japan gastronomic competition in 2004, Hamada went on to win Bronze at the 2013 Bocuse d’Or World Finale–where he also earned 1st place in the fish category.

Since then, he has made it his life mission to propagate a new style of French cuisine that incorporates Japanese craftsmanship, culinary technique, and ingredients. At HOSHINOYA Tokyo, he uses Japanese ingredients and dishware to produce a creative interpretation of ryokan dining.

CELEBRATING IN STYLE AT A RYOKAN
The ryokan is a place where people visit to get away from their busy lives so they can enjoy some quiet serenity and the sensory delights of the season. It is the perfect place to organize a celebration, especially when it includes a dinner prepared by a world-renowned chef. With a dedicated staff ready to meet your needs, we promise a memorable experience for host and guests alike.

HOT SPRING BATHS
You sink yourself into an indoor hot spring bath fed from 1,500 meters below Tokyo. The thick, saline waters have an energizing effect; you feel a deep vitality coursing through your body. A tunnel leads away from the bath; you wade through it and emerge into the outdoor bath.

A gentle night breeze blows in through the open roof, a privilege afforded by the bath’s location on the top floor. You gaze up at the sky. It is a serene expanse of black, almost unblemished by the glare of city lights. For a moment, you forget you are in the center of one of the busiest metropolises in the world.

From the minute you stepped into the ryokan, you have been immersed in a world unlike any you have visited. It is a world where one is constantly enveloped in the aroma of sandalwood woven into the tatami, and where one is reminded of the beauty of the seasons through spectacular flower arrangements.

Gentle lighting, soft kimonos, and plush bedding induce relaxation, while conversations in the ochanoma and meals designed around lesser-known delicacies of Japanese cuisine provide pleasant stimulation. You hope to return during a different season so you can experience all this again, as if for the first time.

The top floor of HOSHINOYA Tokyo consists of two bath halls, separated by gender. The baths are fed by hot spring waters drawn from 1,500 meters below the ground. Due to its high saline content, the bath water is pleasant to the skin, gently relaxing the body while improving its ability to preserve heat.

Each bath hall contains an indoor and outdoor bath, connected by a cave-like tunnel. The outdoor bath is located at the bottom of an open-roof chamber with soaring walls that frame the sky above.

Through the open roof, guests are presented with a private viewing of a dynamic tapestry painted with the ever-changing colors of the sky and decorated with clouds of many shapes. At night, pleasantly cool breezes blow in, bringing seasonal aromas with them.

SPA & WELLNESS
The spa at HOSHINOYA Tokyo offers therapies designed to guide the body towards its optimal state. Therapies begin with a soak in the baths and some stretching exercises to loosen the body.

Guests are then led through a program focused on health and beauty and an oil treatment session, each one tailored to the guest’s goals. At the end of the therapy, guests will feel refreshed in both mind and body, and ready to embark on a healthier and more exuberant lifestyle.

EDO BEAUTY STAY
This program is designed to allow guests to turn their attention to beauty of old Edo-Tokyo, through a variety of activities such as learning graceful hand movements, exercises, as well as a relaxing spa treatment.

A PRIVATE FAMILY STAY
This special stay is offered for the whole family to savor a once-in-a-lifetime private getaway together to celebrate a special event. Not only will you have a whole floor to yourselves, your celebration will also be made extraordinary with traditional instrumentals and delicate meals.

SUMO TRAINING VIEWING & A TRADITIONAL HOTPOT MEAL
Sumo is the oldest national sport in Japan. Its roots date back to ancient times during the nation’s history and became widely popular during the Edo Period. Enjoy viewing the sumo wrestlers’ morning training session. After the viewing, you will have a rare chance to sit alongside them and try their traditional hotpot dish, “Chanko Nabe”.

JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY
The Japanese tea ceremony is not simply about offering tea to guests. It is about providing an opportunity for fully appreciating the current season–whether through the colors of the kimono one wears, the motifs of the confectionery served with the tea, or the aromas produced by the tea that one pours.

The activity offers guests an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese hospitality. The featured tea bowls and whisks have been created exclusively for HOSHINOYA Tokyo by an artist; guests are allowed to keep them.

GAGAKU PERFORMANCE
Gagaku is a traditional Japanese theater art that mixes dance with music. Under the supervision of Fumihiko Yamada, an expert on traditional Japanese theater arts, gagaku performers dance elegantly to mystical sounds produced by ancient instruments on a stage set up in the lobby. Guests are invited to watch the show while enjoying a drink.

THE ART OF INCENSE
Guests are invited to try kodo, the art of appreciating incense. Three types of wood are lit inside a modern burner; guests are then asked to describe the differences in their scents. Through this ancient parlor game, guests may develop a keener sense of smell.

MIDTOWN HELICOPTER CRUISE
Guests are given an aerial tour in a helicopter above one of the world’s largest metropolises. The views of Tokyo from 600 meters in the air are spectacular, and well worth sharing with loved ones.

RICKSHA TOUR
Guests are picked up at the entrance of HOSHINOYA Tokyo by a ricksha driver, who will take them on one of three tours handpicked by the resort staff. Rickshas are designed to shelter riders from rain and snow, allowing guests to enjoy this experience in any weather. Ricksha drivers are well versed in the city’s history and will happily share their knowledge.

TOKYO RIVER CRUISE
This leisurely cruise along Tokyo’s historic waterways offers spectacular views of Tokyo’s cityscapes, as well as a visual history of river transportation in the city. Privately rental boat will be a perfect way to celebrate a special occasion or to simply enjoy a private nighttime trip through Tokyo. Guests who wish to procure tickets for regular boat tours may inquire at reception.

Rooms: 84

Price: from 878 EUR per night

Source: www.hoshinoya.com