Author Archive

New restaurant ‘Ricca’ serves fine dishes cooked with rich local products

The dinning room ‘Ricca’ is newly built for serving dinner and breakfast to guests staying in the new Western style rooms.

 

Basic idea of providing local products or related products is specifically performed at the new restaurant ‘Ricca’. The concept of ‘Ricca’ is ‘Being blessed with natural resources from their hometown Kinosaki where storks are brought up.’ There is a legend that a wounded stork was found first and it healed the wound here in the 7th century. City of Toyooka has promoted protecting and trying to increase number of storks in the district, and now wild strokes have steadily increased its number.

Left: Famous Japanese brand ‘Tajima-beef’

Right: Rich local seafood ‘Matsuba-crab’

 

Local food materials, such as Tajima beef, Matsuba-crab, and river fish from Kannabe area, are positively arranged in their dishes. Also, they contracted with local farmers to purchase directly their farm products. Safe and fresh local vegetable is always available throughout the year. This is one of their advantages that they can use safe local food materials from specified farmers or fishermen.

Left: One of the dinner courses in winter season

Right: Variety fresh local food products in breakfast dishes

 

Night view of ‘Ricca’ is also very attractive

View Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei in a larger map

 

＜Reference materials＞

Monthly Hotel Ryokan January 2012

http://www.ikyu.com/

http://www.jalan.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/

http://www.jnto.go.jp/

http://www.kinosaki-hotsprings.com/

http://www.travel-around-japan.com/

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei’ in Kinosaki Onsen Resort. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit to Kinosaki Onsen Resort, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

 

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.

Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

‘Shogetsutei’ aims at the ‘Dankai-junior’ （30s－40s）with the new Western Guestrooms.

Although, the new Western style guestrooms are a part of ‘Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei’, it is like a separate highly qualified small resort hotel with a new restaurant ‘Ricca’. Originally these old Japanese style rooms in the ‘Tsukinoto’ guest house have rather less beautiful vista and could not set normal rate than other rooms. These rooms had been usually arranged for group guests in lower rate. The new Western style guestrooms are therefore built for expecting new customers ‘Dankai-junior’ generations (30s-40s). These generations tend to fond of highly qualified rather small resort hotels than large scale gorgeous ones.

Comfort Suite is only two rooms available. The suite room of this type is consisted of a twin bed room, a living room with sofa and dinning furniture set, a bathroom, and a walk-in closet. One of the Comfort Twin is connectable to the Comfort Suite.

Living room of Comfort Suite

Only a piece of painting created by a painter Chiaki Horikoshi is seen on the wall in simple space without any excessive decorations.

 

Bedroom of Comfort Suite

As well as other new Western style rooms, semi-double size beds (120cm width) products of Simons co. are arranged.

	A set of wide writing table, closet, and dresser is neatly arranged behind of the headboard of the beds.

 

 

Universal designed twin room is consisted of a twin-bed room, a sofa set, and a bathroom.

Including universal design shower room, this type of twinroom is suitable for handicapped guests. Rate with two meals is 29,400 yen per person on normal season. A closet, a refrigerator, and a mini-bar are neatly arranged in the room

Comfort twin is a standard room which is equipped with a twin-bed, a furniture set of sofa or chairs, a shower room with rain shower, and a walk-in closet.

Comfort twin has a wide walk-in closet. The shower room is equipped with rain shower and floor heating. Rate with two meals is 29,400 yen per person on normal season.

Different furniture is arranged in another type Comfort twin room.

 

Arrangement of tools and amenity goods in the new Western style guestrooms

Usually, it is said that generations in 30s-40s are infatuation with big-name brands. They are not simply concerned about major brands but something different value among them.  

Amenity goods and equipments in the new Western style rooms are carefully selected to match their demands. A fat screen TV, a blue-ray player, a digital sound projector, a Bluetooth audio receiver, a Wi-Fi, a LAN terminal, an air cleaner, a humidifier, and a hair dryer are standard arrangements. And French spa brand ‘Omnisens’ products are arranged in the bathroom.

Local made or related materials are positively used in the renovation project

Yukata for the new Western style rooms are newly prepared in collaboration with ‘United Arrows Ltd.’ and ‘Chiso’.

 

Yukata cotton kimono used for room guests in the new Western style rooms are newly prepared in collaboration with one of the well known apparel makers ‘United Arrows Ltd.’ and a traditional Kyoto-yuzen kimono maker ‘Chiso’. Because, Yukata cotton kimonos are indispensable for their guests when they go out for ‘Sotoyu’ tour in Kinosaki. These new stylish Yukatas were designed in local oriented motifs which are well suited to their guests in 30s-40s.

Tools and equipments in the rooms, such as wooden dress hangers, luncheon table cloths, and room key holders, are made by local makers.

Left: Clothes hangers are original products made by a local maker ‘Nakada-kogei Co.’

Right: Key tag is prepared by a local maker ‘Toyooka Kaban’

 

＜Reference materials＞

Monthly Hotel Ryokan January 2012

http://www.ikyu.com/

http://www.jalan.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/

http://www.jnto.go.jp/

http://www.kinosaki-hotsprings.com/

http://www.travel-around-japan.com/

View Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei in a larger map

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei’ in Kinosaki Onsen Resort. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit to Kinosaki Onsen Resort, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

 

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.

Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

New Western style 12 guestrooms and a restaurant ‘Ricca’ opened under the concept “Natural & Comfort”

Nishimuraya Co. runs a traditional Onsen inn ‘Nishimuraya-honkan’ (34 rooms) and ‘Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei’ (98 rooms) in Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture. One of the leading lodging organizations in the area invested over 450 million yen for remodeling of a part of ‘Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei. Among 35 Japanese style guestrooms in five floors, 14 rooms in two floors were reborn as attractive 12 Western style rooms on July 30, 2011.

 

History of Nishimuraya

According to the hotel website that Kinosaki onsen was established about 1400 years ago. The poet, Fujiwara no Kanesuke wrote a poem about Kinosaki Onsen in the Kokinwakashu (the anthology of waka poems) in the Heian Period, and Kinosaki Onsen was a place for Heian aristocrats to rest. At the end of Edo Period, the founder, Nishimura Sahei, the founder, moved here from Wakasa, Fukui Pref., became the local administrator of Kumihama, and received his house. Then he opened the hotel “Nishimuraya”. Ever since then, with its 150 years of history, Nishimuraya has been loved as a good place to rest and relax.

New restaurant ‘Ricca’

New restaurant ‘Ricca’ was also opened beside the swimming pool on November 1 as a special dinning room for guests staying in the new Western style rooms.

The above new facilities are renovated under the concept ‘Natural & Comfort’. Including existing facilities such as Private Spa and Relaxation Salon, the hotel proposes a high quality Onsen resort style where hotel guests totally enjoy eating delicious dishes, cure their body and mind, surrounding atmosphere, and strolling around street in Kinosaki Onsen.

[Five points rating to evaluate hotel’s performance through the grapevine]

●ikkyu rating

●jalan rating

View Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei in a larger map

＜Reference materials＞

http://www.nishimuraya.ne.jp/shogetsu/

Monthly Hotel Ryokan January 2012

http://www.ikyu.com/

http://www.jalan.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/

http://www.jnto.go.jp/

http://www.kinosaki-hotsprings.com/

http://www.travel-around-japan.com/

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei’ in Kinosaki Onsen Resort. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit to Kinosaki Onsen Resort, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

 

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.

Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

A new sightseeing spot ‘Kiyamachi-kouji’ just behind of ‘Goshono-yu’

A new sightseeing spot ‘Kiyamachi-kouji’ was opened in 2008. ‘Kiyamachi-kouji’ is located in a narrow street just behind of the street facing to ‘Gosho-no-yu’ independent public bathhouse in the center of Kinosaki Onsen. There are a public plaza ‘Sanjusanken-hiroba’ and 10 characteristic retail shops, such as vinegar sweets shop, Kinosaki egg pudding shop, ‘Tajima-beef’ sandwich shop, Ear care esthetic salon, and healing massage salon. Why don’t you drop in the new sightseeing spot while taking tour of seven ‘Sotoyu’ or independent bathhouses?

Shopping around attracting 10 retail shops in ‘Kiyamachi-kouji’

In the new sightseeing spot ‘Kiyamachi-kouji’, characteristic 10 shops are running business. You must drop in and try to find souvenirs of Kinosaki Onsen or taste local food there.

Kinosaki Vinegar proposes beautiful and healthy life based on vinegar. Unique vinegar shop provides your choice of various kinds of vinegar and drinks blended with vinegar. As well as selling drinkable vinegars, they also provide bars of beauty soap. You never miss the beautiful shop wholly fitted with glass windows faced to the entrance of ‘Kiyamachi-kouji’ which looks like a beauty parlor.

‘Kasha-pong-tei’ makes your miniature photo book when you bring memorial images taken while staying in Kinosaki Onsen. Your memorial photo book will be completed with in a week. A miniature photo book prices 3,000yen. If ordered more than two, 500yen is discounted per book.

They also make original ‘Uchiwa’ or traditional Japanese flat paper fan printed with your favorite image. It takes only 15 minutes.

‘Umyamonya’ tries to cook their dishes with using local food materials. Fresh seafood is usually brought directly from Tsuiyama fishing port, and vegetable is from own farm.

You may feel fullness after a meal, because of their large portions of menu items.

Spit-barbecued ‘Tajima Beef’ or one of the brand beefs in Japan is served in reasonable price here. ‘Kushiya’ is very popular among visitors to Kinosaki Onsnen, including small children and elderly people. Special sauce for their barbecue is mainly blend soy sauce and salt. One bite of scalding hot ‘Tajima’ beef barbecue is delicious.

‘Genbudo’ is one of the leading ‘Okakiya’ or a sliced and dried rice cake shop that started business in Toyooka City in 1965. Home-made rice cake ‘Kinosaki Okaki’ are sold in the shop. Rice and ingredients are carefully chosen using as materials for ‘Kinosaki Okaki’. Varieties of ‘Kakimochi’ have been cooked by experienced workmen’s hand in traditional method, which have wonderful flavor of sticky rice.

‘Rin’ is a tea house which serves tasty Japanese style drinks, such as ‘Matcha’ (a cup of powdered green tea), ‘Matcha- latte’ (a cup of powdered green tea and steamed milk), ‘Hojicha-latte’ (a cup of green tea and steamed milk). They also serve wonderful Japanese sweets, such as special cookies made with ‘Kinako’ (soybean flour) and ‘Yuzu’ aromatic citron.

Wooden finished interior of the tea house creates really warm atmosphere. Lovely incense pouches are also available.

‘Serve fresh cake everyday’ is the policy of ‘Pudding Kiman’, so they use only eggs produced in local farm for their puddings. All puddings in various kinds are really richly flavored of egg but leave rather simple agreeable aftertaste.

‘Kaisendo’ cooks seafood ‘Senbei ‘or a rice cracker mixed with seafood such as squid and shrimp, grilled after being seasoned with soy sauce. As well as their main products of various kinds of rice cakes, they also sell other interesting processing food, such as bottled soybean paste mixed with ‘Amaebi’ shrimps, and original ‘Nama-caramel’ made with fresh cream. 

‘Mimi Sapri’ is the first aesthetic salon specializing in ear treatment in Onsen resorts in Japan. The menu of ear treatment salon is: Ear cleaning- 2100yen/20minutes, Ear reflexology-2100yen/15minutes, Ear esthétique-3150yen/30minutes.

It is a Japanese style healing parlor where reflexology, aromatherapy, and quick massages are treated. Charcoal goods are also sold. Works of charcoal artist Mr. Bonsai Tajima and charcoal related goods, such as wood vinegar and Bincho charcoal are on display with the exhibits on sale. Relax massage treated in the shop is 1500yen/15minutes.

View Kiyamachi-kouji in a larger map

＜Reference materials＞

http://ja.wikipedia.org/

http://www.kinosaki-hotsprings.com/

http://www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp/

http://onsenyado.sakura.ne.jp/

http://www.kiyamachikoji.com/

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Kinosaki Onsen Resort’ in Hyogo Prefecture. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit there, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

 

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.

Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

Seven Sotoyu Tour is one of the attractions in Kinosaki Onsen Resort

The origin of Kinosaki Onsen dates back to over 1400 years ago. Kinosaki has been prospered with independent Onsen facility in town. Each facility is said to have a guardian deity and therefore you can be blessed with all seven deities while touring of these Onsen facilities.
You must wear ‘Yukata’ when you go out for Sotoyu tour. It is quite tasteful when taking a walk around Kinosaki Onsen Street in Yukata cotton kimono and a pair of ‘Geta’ wooden clogs. Your looking is completely changed like another person in different costume.
Most hotels and inns give a free ticket for taking bath at independent Onsen facilities when you check in.
In front of ‘Satonoyu’ and ‘Kounoyu’ there are ‘Ashiyu’ or foot bath where you can enjoy foot bathing at free of charge.

The newest of Kinosaki’s bathhouses, Goshono-yu offers an extremely relaxing bathing experience. Resembling outward appearance to ‘Kyoto Gosho’, the present Onsen house was rebuilt in 2005 beside of ‘Shisho-jinja’ shrine.
Goshonoyu is well known as ‘Bigin-no-yu’ or good for keeping smooth skin among ladies. During the Edo Period, there was a resort house and Onsen owned by a feudal lord known as ‘Tono-no-yu’ or ‘Kagi-no-yu’ and it has became ‘Goshonoyu’since Meiji Period.
Glass roofed ‘Tenku’ grand bath, Onsen mist sauna, and landscape stone garden are laid out in ‘Goshonoyu’. The classic outdoor area is a great place to enjoy the changing colors of the maple leaves in autumn.

Ichinoyu is a symbolic Onsen located in the center of Kinosaki town.　It is named after the recommendation as ‘Tenka-ichi’ or a best one Onsen by Shutoku Kagawa, a founder of hot spring cure in Edo Period.　Its Momoyama era style building resembles to an old ‘Kabukiza’theater in Tokyo. Until the arrival of Satono-yu, Ichino-yu had the pride of being the foremost bathhouse on the Japan Sea coast of the western Japan. Newly renovated in 1999, this bathhouse offers many modern facilities, all housed within a handsome building of classical design. Ichino-yu adds a cave-pool to the usual bathing amenities.　A wide grand bath, chartered bath, and cave bath are popular among bathers. ‘Tamabashi’ bridge in front of ‘Ichinoyu’ is a best spot for photo.

Satono-yu is a new Onsen that has started business in 2000. This is the largest Onsen facility within railway stations in Japan, and most conveniently located of Kinosaki’s seven bath houses. There are number of attracting facilities such as observation outdoor bath, herb bath, jet bath, and cool sauna named ‘Penguin sauna’. The male and female bathing sections alternate daily between classical Japanese style Onsen and a Romanesque bathhouse, so be sure to try the Satono-yu at least twice. Car parking is wide enough for arrival guests so it is very convenient even for day trippers without stay overnight in Kinosaki Onsen. A footbath in front of Satono-yu is free of charge.

Kounoyu is located just in front of Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway Station. It is the oldest independent Onsen among seven Sotoyus and named after the legend that to recover from some ailment, a stork bathed in the marshes that once existed in the area now known as Kouno-yu about 1400 years ago. The healing properties of the marsh willow trees grew to be famous and Kouno-yu was built on the site, becoming Kinosaki’s first bathhouse. Popular for its outdoor bath and situated at the foot of bamboo-clad mountains, Kouno-yu offers a private but splendid natural environment in which to relax. Kouno-yu is little far away from the center of town, so it is suitable for your stroll. Its grand bath is wide enough and there is a wonderful outdoor bath in the landscape garden.

Jizouyu is named after the legend that an image of ‘Jizoson’ or a guardian deity of children was found in the fountainhead of hot spring. Actually, an image of ‘Jizouson’ is dedicated in its garden. The bathhouse of Jizouyu is the most modernized building among seven Sotoyus in the shape of Japanese lantern outward appearance with wide hexagonal windows. Jizou-yu is a popular bathhouse comprised of two large, high-ceilinged central baths with generous showering and washing facilities. The second floor features rest areas and private baths for family use. ‘Meno-ohishi’ large stone lantern in front of the entrance is a symbol of Jizouyu.

Being the smallest bathhouse in Kinosaki grants Yanagi-yu a very traditional and homely atmosphere. Securely placed in the center of Kinosaki, its convenience makes it popular with the locals and tourists alike.
The name of Yanagiyu is named after the legend that fountainhead of hot spring was gushed out from the root of a willow tree. The willow tree was brought from West Lake or Xī Hú in China. Although, the bathhouse of Yanagiyu is a small wooden structure, its outward appearance is something resembling to old house in Taisho Era. A hinoki or Japanese cypress made supersonic waves bath is also equipped.

Mndarayu is said to be gushed out by 1000 days prayer of ‘Mandala’ performed by great priest Dochi, or the founder of Buddhist temple ‘Onsneji’. Set back from the main road in quiet surroundings, the building of Mandara-yu (which was painstakingly reconstructed in 2001) is and always has been Kinosaki’s most attractive and traditionally styled bathhouse. ‘Mandarayu’ which has been regarded as a sacred place since olden times, the attraction of the Onsen is its beautiful natural surroundings. When you take bath in outdoor bath made of hinoki or Japanese cypress, you really feel comfortable with fresh air and aroma of hinoki timber.

View Kinosaki Onsen in a larger map

＜Reference materials＞

http://ja.wikipedia.org/

http://www.kinosaki-hotsprings.com/

http://www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp/

http://onsenyado.sakura.ne.jp/

http://www.kiyamachikoji.com/

■For travelers from overseas
As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Kinosaki Onsen Resort’ in Hyogo Prefecture. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit there, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.
Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.
Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

Characteristic Seven public hot spring bath facilities attract visitors to Kinosaki Onsen

There are seven sotoyu (public hot spring bath facilities) in Kinosaki. A tour of sotoyu is very popular among Japanese visitors and many look forward to going on the tour rather than taking a bath at their hotels. You can try all the seven sotoyu facilities with different constructions and atmospheres. Sotoyu facilities are free while you are checked-in at your hotel. These sotoyu facilities close at 11 p.m. (entrance until 10:30 p.m.), and open from 7 a.m. (except for some facilities).

Seven Sotoyu in Kinosaki are ‘Goshonoyu’, ‘Ichinoyu’, ‘Satonoyu’, ‘Kounoyu’, ‘Jizoyu’, ‘Yanagiyu’, and ‘Mandarayu’.

A digital ticket “Yumepa” for sotoyu is a convenient ticket for those who want to go around the sotoyu facilities and stroll around the town.

 

Map of Sotoyu (seven baths)

Seven independent bathhouses ‘Sotoyu’ in Kinosaki Onsen are dotted on both sides of the Ohtanigawa River between JR Kinosaki-onsen Station and Yakushi Park. Let’s go out for Sotoyu tour after putting on ‘Yukata’ kimono and ‘Geta’ wooden clogs. There are large number of souvenir shops and restaurants along the Onsen Street. You will be able to enjoy authentic style of Onsen town.
View Kinosaki Onsen in a larger map

＜Reference materials＞

http://ja.wikipedia.org/

http://www.kinosaki-hotsprings.com/

http://www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp/

http://onsenyado.sakura.ne.jp/

http://www.kiyamachikoji.com/

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Kinosaki Onsen Resort’ in Hyogo Prefecture. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit there, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

 

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.

Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

Kinosaki Onsen Resort / Vol. 1

Willow trees standing along The Ohtani River is the symbol of Kinosaki Onsen

 

Kinosaki (城崎町) was a town located in Kinosaki District, Hyogo Prefecture. The town is a popular hot spring resort at the north part of Hyogo Prefecture. It is on the west side of the Maruyama River flowing into the Sea of Japan, and the town is along the Ohtani River, a small tributary of the Maruyama River. On April 1, 2005 Kinosaki, along with the towns of Hidaka and Takeno, all from Kinosaki District, and the towns of Izushi and Tanto, both from Izushi District, was merged into the expanded city of Toyooka and no longer exists as an independent municipality.

Kinosaki is famous as a resort area, with Onsen based in its natural hot springs. In 1913, the writer Naoya Shiga came to Kinosaki and stayed there for three weeks. Kinosaki provided inspiration for his short story, Kinosaki ni te or “In Kinosaki”.

Readily accessible by rail, this fascinating center attracts thousands during holidays to luxuriate in the spas fed by geothermal sources below the town. Groups of visitors can be seen wandering the streets in ‘Yukata’ cotton kimono accompanied by the characteristic clicking of ‘Geta’ or the traditional wooden clogs one can see lined up in the entrance halls of the hotels.

A feature is the fountains in the square where mesh bags of eggs can be immersed and boiled while you wait. There are several small ponds of running hot water where one can sit by the edge of the road and relax while soaking one’s feet. A ropeway at the far end of the street take visitors to the lookout or one can walk there.

It is said that a wounded stork was found first, which healed the wound here in the 7th century.

In 717, high priest Douchi visited here. To help people with bad disease, he performed ascetic training here for a thousand days. Then new hot spring gushed in 720. It is current “Mandara-yu” hot spring, and Kinosaki hot spring resort was opened at that time.

In the popular hot spring ranking list made in the 19th century, Kinosaki hot spring was ranked the second of western Japan, after Arima Onsen resort. Many hotels and Onsen inns are on the both side along Ohtani River. And many willow trees are by the river, and the scenery is the symbol of Kinosaki.

View Kinosaki Onsen in a larger map

＜Reference materials＞

http://ja.wikipedia.org/

http://www.kinosaki-hotsprings.com/

http://www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp/

http://onsenyado.sakura.ne.jp/

http://www.kiyamachikoji.com/

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Kinosaki Onsen Resort’ in Hyogo Prefecture. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit there, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

 

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.

Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

Fresh local food and characteristic food materials directly from Hokkaido are skillfully arranged in their menu items

 

 

 

Dinner menu in winter

 

 

Breakfast menu in winter

 

As their concept as ‘Japanese style Auberge’, their dishes are very characteristic. They positively use local food such as fresh seafood from Sagami-wan fishing port and vegetables from local farm. They also bring rich food materials directly from their homeland, Hokkaido including fresh vegetables grown in their own ‘Noguchi Kitayuzawa Farm’.

These food materials are skillfully arranged for dinner and breakfast and served at each reserved tables in a private room in the main dinning ‘KITANOKAZE-SARYOU’.

 

Main dinning ‘KITANOKAZE-SARYOU’: Each 8 seating areas are partitioned for guarding privacy of the guests. If all the seats in the dinning are occupied, additional tables are prepared in the small or medium-size banquet rooms.

 

 

View Kitanokaze-saryou in a larger map

＜Reference materials＞

http://www.kitanokaze-saryou.com/

Monthly Hotel Ryokan January 2012

http://ja.wikipedia.org/                                                                                  

http://www.ikyu.com/

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Kitanokaze-saryou’ in Hakone Onsen Resort. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit to Hakone Onsen Resort, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

 

 

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.

Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitanokaze-saryou makes the guests indulge in luxury of fountainhead hot spring.

Each guestroom in 7 types has an outdoor bath or observation bath. Fountainhead hot spring water is used in all 10 guestrooms. So room guests can enjoy taking bath in high quality cloudy hot spring water in their rooms. Indulge the guests with luxury of fountainhead hot spring. Cloudy hot spring water gushed out from Ohwakudani valley warm up your body. Acidic hot spring water makes your skin wet and smooth. Plentiful fountainhead hot spring water is provided to all guestrooms. Each guestroom has a characteristic bathroom such as an outdoor bath in a bamboo grove, an outdoor bath arranged in double stories with a shallow water basin, an outdoor bath on the balcony, outdoor bath on the wide terrace, and observation bath.

Chartered bath ‘KOMOREBI’

Chartered bath ’KOMOREBI’: All room guests have privilege to reserve the bath for one hour in free of charge.

 

Although, each guestroom has own natural hot spring bath, additionally chartered hot spring bath is available if you like. You can reserve an hour and enjoy bathing here in free of charge.

Aesthetic Salon ‘White & Beauty’: A couple guests can be treated together in both two treatment rooms.	Ganban-buro: Ganban-buro or a hot stone spa is laid out just next door to the Aesthetic Salon.

 

Ganban-furo（岩盤風呂） or Ganban’yoku (岩盤浴) is Japanese term for a popular form of hot stone spa. It is said to have originated in Thailand.　Body-sized stones, such as granite, are inserted into the floor and heated. Bathers lie clothed on the stones while their bodies gradually heat up.　Like low temperature saunas, ganban’yoku are commonly advertised to have a detoxification effect, improve the circulatory system and are good for the skin. A ganban’yoku room in a spa would typically be visited after the baths and would be in clothing-on area with mixed genders.
View Kitanokaze-saryou in a larger map

＜Reference materials＞

http://www.kitanokaze-saryou.com/

Monthly Hotel Ryokan January 2012

http://ja.wikipedia.org/

http://www.ikyu.com/

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Kitanokaze-saryou’ in Hakone Onsen Resort. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit to Hakone Onsen Resort, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.

Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

Kitanokaze-saryou is remodled as a lodge mainly for family group and young couple

 

Concept of renewal was ‘fusion or harmony of functional Western style in a Japanese space’. It is a two-story and one basement structure which is used to be a Japanese inn named ‘Motoyuba Saratei’ before renovation. Only skeleton of the building has left unchanged, but all other parts such as interior, exterior, and entrance areas were completely renovated.

 【101:NANAKAMADO / 103:RAIRAKKU】 

101:NANAKAMADO / 103:RAIRAKKU (93.78㎡) are two of the largest guestrooms among 10 hotel rooms.

 

These type of guestrooms are most spacious (93.78㎡) among all 10 hotel rooms. Structured in two stories, the maximum capacity is for 4 guests. Its fountainhead outdoor bath is laid out in downstairs through the staircase in the outside balcony.

Outdoor bath is sheltered with glass window that is laid out downstairs	Massage chair is arranged in the bed room.

 

A double floored guestroom which living room and outdoor bathroom is separated by a pond in the garden. Lighting effects on the pond creates something fantastic image at night. When you go out on the balcony, a surface of the pond spread out just in front of you. Outdoor bath in the lower floor is really a healing space. Approach to an outdoor bath is located on the balcony.

101:NANAKAMADO / 103:RAIRAKKU are structured in two stories. Staircase is arranged on the outside balcony to access to the outdoor bath in downstairs.

 

Beautiful flowers of ‘Himeshara’ or Stewartia monadelpha in a small garden can be observed from the bathroom while you taking bath, which make your body and mind refresh. It is a magnificent suite consisted of a Japanese room with S room and a Japanese style living with veranda and a bedroom.

 

 【102:SUZURAN / 105:HAMANASU】 

 

Guest room 102:SUZURAN / 105:HAMANASU (63.75㎡) : One of the two Japanese type rooms is renovated to a new twin bed room.

 

One of the old tatami-rooms in an old Japanese inn was renovated to Western style room with low profile twin beds for guest room ‘SUZURAN’ and ‘HAMANASU’ (63.75㎡). Both outdoor bath and inner bath are arranged in the room.

Man-made bamboo garden is observed from outdoor bath.	Inner observation bath is also arranged in the room.
Fountainhead hot spring water is used for both outdoor baths and inner observation baths.

 

View of bamboo grove from the outdoor bath creates dreamy atmosphere, because its outdoor bath is laid out in the bamboo grove.

Bamboo grove plays quiet music with breeze which make you feel free from the din and bustle of a city. The bamboo grove under the moon brings you to the world of an old tale. It is kind and tender under the morning sun which put all other thoughts in daily life out of your mind. It is something like an activator in nature. And the music of bamboo makes you felling asleep at night.

【202:SAGISOU / 205:KATAKURI】

202:SAGISOU / 205:KATAKURI (14.6㎡) are twin bed rooms. Low profile twin beds are arranged that are e made by France bed Co.

 

SAGISOU and KATAKURI are suite rooms with an outdoor observation bath. Covered with the wide frame glass windows, the bathroom attracts good bathing in any weather.

Guest rooms (63.75㎡) are consisted of a 10-tatami room and a twin bed room. Although a Japanese room was not renovated, a glass wall is equipped to make it more open.	Observation inner bath is arranged in the room. The same type of bath is also arranged in ‘SAGISOU’

 

There are just healthy hours to sit back and relax. You can enjoy taking bath in a white fountainhead hot spring in your room at a quite reasonable room rate

 

【SHION】 

 

Guest room ‘SHION’ (44.01㎡) for two people was renovated from a typical Japanese style room to a new Western style twin beds.

 

 

Guest room ‘SHION’ (44.01㎡) was renovated from old Japanese style room.

A wide 37.6㎡ open-air terrace (37.6㎡) attached to guestroom ‘SHION’. Outdoor bath on the terrace also equipped with a shower booth and a dressing room. It is a space reserved only for two.

Outdoor bath with shower booth and sofa is arranged on the outside terrace (37.6㎡).

 

Good vista of mountains and a star-spangled sky in Hakone are all yours. When you have a glass of champagne after taking bath, a star-spangled sky is reflected on the glass. It is something like a miniature planetarium. Innumerable star lights over the sky pour into the terrace.

On an autumn night with a full moon it must be splendid.

Enjoy taking bath in cloudy hot spring water! The guestroom ‘SHION’ is suitable for a younger married couple.

Addition to the above rooms, Kitanokaze-saryou has other different 3 types of guestrooms.

 【MIZUBASYOU】 

Special suite ‘MIZUBASHO’ has an outdoor bath and also a sauna.

 【ZAZENSOU】 

Standard suite ‘ZAZENSOU’ is equipped with both an outdoor bath and an inner bath.

 【SUSUKI】 

A wide Western style room ‘SUSUKI’ is equipped with both an outdoor bath and an inner bath.

 

＜Reference materials＞

http://www.kitanokaze-saryou.com/

Monthly Hotel Ryokan January 2012

http://ja.wikipedia.org/                                                                                  

http://www.ikyu.com/
View Kitanokaze-saryou in a larger map

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Kitanokaze-saryou’ in Hakone Onsen Resort. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit to Hakone Onsen Resort, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

■Introduction of the specialist for Onsen design

 

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.

Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/

 

Japanese Style ‘Auberge’ in Hakone ‘Kitanokaze-saryou’

‘Noguchi Kanko Co.’ could inroad into the main land of Japan from Hokkaido

Kitano-saryou is stands along a prefectural road route 75 close to the Sengokuhara grassy plain on the south side of Mt. Kintokiyama

‘Noguchi Kanko Co.’ opened a new Japanese style hotel ‘Kitano-kaze Saryou’ on October 10, 2011 in Sengokuhara, Hakone Onsen Resort and could inroad into the outside market from its homeland. One of the leading hotel groups based on Noboribetsu City in Hokkaido runs 12 hotels and inns in their homeland.

Noguchi Kanko Co. acquired the property of an old high quality Japanese inn ‘Motoyuba Saratei’ in Sengokuhara Onsen Resort and made a total renovation on that high quality inn. The management concept of the new hotel is ‘Japanese style Auberge’ and along with the concept a new dinning room was arranged on the old public baths area.

‘Auberge’ is actually a kind of restaurant located mainly in urban or country side, which also facilitates rooms for overnight guests. In 1970s, ‘Auberge’ style restaurants started business in some sightseeing spots, resorts, and country house areas in Japan along with getting popularity of French dishes. We can now find unique ‘Auberges’ in Japan, which provide not only French, but various kinds of dishes from all over the world, as well as typical Japanese cuisine. Read the rest of this entry »

Provide a special scene in a usual life but not exclusive high standard

Management concept of the inn is providing a special scene in usual life to their customers but not tries providing exclusive high standard. The inn is located in a corner of busy commercial area so it is something different from remote hot spring resorts such as ‘Yufuin’ and ‘Kurokawa’. Although, some exclusive Japanese inns not allowed accepting children, ‘Kokian’ welcomes family groups with children. Toys among variety choices are given to accompanied children when family groups check in. Most room guests usually stay in their own guest rooms so the public areas, such as reception house and a hotel garden, are open to these arrival children. Read the rest of this entry »

‘Taste of Japanese modern’ gives more comfortable feelings to overnight guests

The tariff of ‘Kokian’ shows rather expensive rates, and number of guest rooms are limited only 16 which are rare in Yuda Onsen Resort. Each room is dotted in a man made forest. Room guests can enjoy staying in their rooms longer than those in other hotels. When you take bath at outdoor, your privacy is kept by surrounding forest. It is something like a mountain villa in a natural forest than a typical traditional Japanese landscape garden. The design concept is ‘Japanese Modern’ which is now popular in Japanese inns. Western living style, such as twin beds, closets, and other functional settings are tactfully arranged in a Japanese room decorated with traditional materials in Japan.

All 16 guest rooms have enough space in 52㎡- 69㎡ coping for the maximum capacity of 4 people. Each room is equipped with flower heating, a living, a Japanese room, a twin-bed room, a terrace, and an outdoor hot spring bath. Special rooms also have a swimming pool and a foot bath, or a pond. A double liquid crystal display television set, a music player, bathrobes are standard arrangement in all guest rooms. Free drinks are always available in a refrigerator, excluding alcoholic beverages. Read the rest of this entry »

Skillful design work changed an old hotel along the busy street to a quiet and high quality relaxation facility

A Japanese style inn ‘Kokian’ quietly opened on July 6, 2011 at the gateway to Yuda Onsen Resort which was the old site of ‘Hotel Tanaka’. The Kokian Co., a subsidiary of ‘Hotel Tanaka Group’ runs this new inn. A public space in mountain villa style building and 6 guest houses are arranged in a 10,000㎡ man-made forest.　Although, you are in a corner of busy street of Yamaguchi city, you can really feel comfortable as in a natural forest. Read the rest of this entry »

Public Onsen facility ‘Yubae-onsen-kaido’ is laid out along the seaside

It is something like a path along the ocean; therefore, you can enjoy seeing a beautiful vista of sunset into the Sea of Japan while taking bath. The bath house has variety of baths including outdoor baths, inner baths, separately for ladies and gentlemen. Read the rest of this entry »