Author Archive
Local dishes so-called ‘sanso-ryori’ is suitable for mountain villa
Famed Chef Nozaki from ‘Wake-Tokuyama’ in Tokyo helped to set up so-called ‘Sanso-ryori’ for the dinning room ‘Wabizakura’
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| Chef Yabe (left) always tries to use local food materials under Chef Nozaki’s (right) concept |
One more attraction for their room guests is its characteristic dishes served at their dinning room ‘Wabizakura’. A chef from one of the famous Japanese restaurant inTokyo‘Wake-Tokuyama’ helped to set up menu for the inn. Chef Hiromitsu Nozaki planed setting up menu something different fromKyotostyle ‘Kaiseki’ which is very popular among ordinal Japanese inns. A so-called ‘Sanso-ryori’ under the chef Nozaki’s concept is based on using local food products.
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| Dinner and breakfast for most room guests, except for guests who want to have them in their guestrooms, are served at the dinning room ‘Wabizakura’ which is consisted of eight separate rooms. |
Mr. Yoshiharu Yabe, the chef of the dinning room ‘Wabizakura’, had worked together in the same kitchen under chef Nozaki. He always tries to use local food materials under Chef Nozaki’s concept. So the every dish for dinner and breakfast basically differs from that served in ordinal Japanese inn which attracts their room guests.
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| Variety of delicacies obtained from nearby mountains and local fishing port is cooked for dinner table. |
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| Variety of healthy breakfast is served in a large quantity but assorted in small portions. Two kinds of cups of vegetable juice are served at the breakfast table. |
An outward appearance and delicacy of dishes are not necessarily required, but importance is putted on its mountain villa style and taste cooked with mountain products or delicacies such as fowl, meat or foodstuffs obtained in the mountains. ‘Sashimi’ or sliced raw fish is only the exceptional items among other mountain products. Because, ‘Sashimi’ in Japanese dishes is must item and if it is not included in their menu, most guests will not be able to satisfy. Freshness of sea products is their main concern when cook ‘Sashimi’ so fish and shell are usually purchased from nearby fishing ports inAkitaprefecture or sometimes in bordering Iwate prefecture.
Although, selection of tableware and dishing up is carefully planed, there is no visible florid expression compared to typical dishes, such as crab and meat. So an assorted dish ‘Wabizakana’ is planed as a main dish in the dinner course.
View Kakunodate-sanso WABIZAKURA in a larger map
＜Reference materials＞
http://wabizakura.com/
http://kakunodate-kanko.jp/
Monthly Hotel Ryokan January 2012
http://www.ikyu.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://common.pref.akita.lg.jp/
http://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/
■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 ‘Kakunodate-sanso WABIZAKURA’. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit to Kakunodate town inAkita prefecture, 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 inJapan.
Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/
(5 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)
Loading...Guestrooms furnished with traditional local handicrafts in Kakunodate attract arrival guests.
The guest house is newly built facility with three types of rooms, such as Japanese style room, Japanese-Western combined style room, and Japanese- Western style combined room with a dinning room. Each guest room has own springhead hot spring open-air bath. The owner, The Nihon Furusato KeikakuCo., thought that hot spring is crucial factor to attract domestic private tourists as their expecting main guests on their planning stage. The company drilled for digging out the springhead of hot spring at the site. The attempt was a great success then could provide 100% natural hot spring to all guestrooms. The source quality is PH-9.6 of good alkaline hot spring which is one of the best Onsen springheads inJapan.
(4 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...An old local house with a thatched roof which was built about 200 years ago is reused as the reception house
The new Japanese inn is consisted of two houses. One is the reception house that is a 200 years old house with a thatched roof. Another is newly built guest house. The old house is moved from Shizukuishi inIwatePrefectureand reconstructed here. It was owned by the Koiwazawa Family who served as ‘Shoya (庄屋)’ or a village headman in the Edo period. Although, all required reinforcement by the law and slight refurbishment is done, as well as an outward appearance of the old house, but also most of its interior layout kept unchanged. Especially its high ceiling lobby lounge built in two-story well-hole style is the best part of the reception house, where used to be an earthen floor.
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First thing you can see soon after entering the inn is a two-story entrance hall built in wellhole style with an ‘Irori’ hearth. A 200 years old thatch- roofed old private house is reused as the reception house. |
Had been used as a house for the village headman, there are several characteristic designs and symbols of good luck, such as a large household Shinto altar placed at an upper part of the well-hole, a mallet of luck, a decoration of pine tree-bamboo-Ume apricot, and crane and tortoise. So, guest can enjoy being stay in a traditional atmosphere in the old house.
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The front desk is located at the inner part in the reception house. A check-in procedure is performed here or at the lobby area around ‘Irori’ hearth. |
The lobby lounge, furnished with an ‘Irori (囲炉裏)’ or a traditional sunken hearth and a set of sofa, is used as a public area for room guests. A cup of powdered green tea with a Japanese sweet is served here to arrival guest as a welcome drink.
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| Special event for folktales in Kakunodate is expected to be performed in a Japanese style hall. |
It is also used as a small library, so there are various monthly and weekly magazines and books for their guests. Furthermore, at the evening between 8:00 and 10:00, a Japanese sake bar ‘Irori Lounge’ is opened here.
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Japanese Sake Bar ‘Irori Lounge’ is open at the lounge between 20:00 and 22:00. ‘Kikizake Set’ is 1,050 yen, which is consisted of three brands of local rice wine and ‘Iburigakko’ or assorted local pickles. On the back shelf, 16 brands of local rice wine are lined up. The back shelf is totally closed in normal hours. |
Irori (囲炉裏) is a type of traditional sunken hearth common in Japan. Used for heating the home and cooking food, it is essentially square pit in the floor with a pot hook, or jizaikagi (自在鉤). These hooks generally were hollow bamboo tubes containing an iron rod, with an attached lever, often shaped like a fish that would allow the pot or kettle to be raised or lowered.
View Kakunodate-sanso WABIZAKURA in a larger map
＜Reference materials＞
http://wabizakura.com/
http://kakunodate-kanko.jp/
Monthly Hotel Ryokan January 2012
http://www.ikyu.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
■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 ‘Kakunodate-sanso WABIZAKURA’. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit to Kakunodate town inAkita prefecture, 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 inJapan.
Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/
(4 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...A small inn with only 10 guestrooms opened as a base station for sending information on historical and cultural town of Kakunodate
New Style Resort Inn with a traditional old building and an original local dish
On August 10, 2011, a new type resort inn, ‘Kakunodate-sanso WABIZAKURA’ newly opened in the historical castle town ‘Kakunodate’. The new inn with only 10 guestrooms is located in a ’Satoyama(里山)’ about 15 minutes drive from the heart of Kakunodate.
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‘Kakunodate-sanso WABIZAKURA’ is consisted of two areas, a private old residence reused as a reception house and newly built two guest houses. The new inn is quietly stand in a remote Satoyama (里山) or a border zone between mountain foothills and arable flat land. |
Satoyama (里山) is a Japanese term applied to the border zone or area between mountain foothills and arable flat land. Literally, sato (里) means arable and livable land or home land, and yama (山) means mountain. Satoyama which haｓ been developed through centuries of small scale agricultural and forestry use, also promise biodiversity if properly maintained by human activities.
Kakunodate is one of towns so-called ‘Little Kyoto’ in Japan
A local town ‘Kakunodate’,SenbokuCityin a center ofAkitaPrefectureis well known as one of the towns popularly called ‘Little-Kyoto’ inJapan. It was the largest castle town in the Akita-han or theAkitafeudal clan which was founded by Yoshikatsu Ashina about 390 years ago. The administrative division of that period has still remained in the town which is divided into ‘Tomachi’ orOuterTownin the South and ‘Uchimachi’ orInnerTownin the North. Most general citizens, including merchants, were lived in ‘Tomach’ and on the other hand, ‘Samurai’ or local rulers were in ‘Uchimachi’. In the ‘Uchimachi’, there are still several 200 years old residences remained where ‘Samurai’ had lived. The district with a group of these old residences is designated as the Historically Significant Traditional Buildings Perseveration Area by the Japanese Government.
Although number of arrivals inSenbokuCitycounts over 4.6 million people in a year, only less than 670 thousands stay overnight. Actually, there are only seven accommodations in Kakunodate area. The most tourists come to Kakunodate town just for sightseeing and tend to stay overnight in nearby hot spring resorts in Iawate Prefecture, such as Tsunagi Onsen and Hanamaki Onsen, instead. So Kakunodate is rather considered as only a sightseeing spot for day trippers without stay overnight or just a transit type sightseeing point. Opening of the new inn in the town is expected to help promoting sightseeing of Kakunodate.
View Kakunodate-sanso WABIZAKURA in a larger map
＜Reference materials＞
http://wabizakura.com/
http://kakunodate-kanko.jp/
Monthly Hotel Ryokan January 2012
http://www.ikyu.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
■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 ‘Kakunodate-sanso WABIZAKURA’. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit to Kakunodate town inAkita prefecture, 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 inJapan.
Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/
(3 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...Together with hot spring bathing at the same time, a multiplier effect is expected on the treatment at ‘Fuka’
Here is something like a garden just outside the villa, where is perfumed with the sweet smell of flowers and is resounded with the murmuring of a stream.
Welcome to the authentic Balinese style relaxation salon!
The floating garden as like in the site of performing purification rites at the old Karangasem Regency and also antique doors and decorative windows advocate authentic Balinese style without any words.
Lie on a soft and comfortable bed in a luxurious room and being spellbound by gentle and tender touch of fingers.
Relax and unwind your mind in a sacred sound of healing music.
And a scent tempts you into deep and quiet moment of rest.
Detoxify your body by drinking a cup of herb tea…… Enjoy a passing of gentle time as much as you like. Fuka relaxation salon is imaged as in being located at the seashore in Bali.
You can enjoy treatment course of esthétique or reflexology (zone therapy) in a warm atmosphere created by wooden interior and an outside view of small stream observed through the window, and a slight fragrant in a faint sound of music.
Karangasem is a regency of Bali, Indonesia. It covers the east part of Bali, has an area of 839.54 km2 and a population of 369,320 (2002). Its regency seat is A,mlapure. Karangasem was devastated when Mount Agung erupted in 1963, ultimately killing 1900 people. Karangasem formerly was a kingdom before Bali was conquered by the Dutch.
A multiplier effect is expected if bathing in Onsen before or after the treatment at ‘Fuga’
Before or after the treatment at ‘Fuka’, it is recommendable to take bath in Onsen. The hotel has a variety of Onsen facilities, such as outdoor bath, mist sauna, and Jacuzzi bath……..
Combined with the treatment at ‘Fuge’ multiplier effect is expected.
When the aroma oil is penetrated into subcutaneous tissue, your skin will become smoother while you are feeling a great peace of mind in a mild and gentle aroma. Following the flow of humor and muscle, soft finger massage is performed. It stimulates the removal of wastes from your body.
Total Aroma Treatment
Using with your choice of favorite aroma oil, whole body, such as shoulder, back, and legs, is tenderly treated. Following the flow of lymph and muscle, your body is tenderly massaged. It stimulates the removal of wastes from your body.
Price: 9,500 yen/ 50 minutes
Facial Treatment
The intensive aroma oil treatment includes a part of your body upper your neck and facial pack treatments. Facial pack used in treatment is made of natural materials.
Price: 9,500 yen/ 50 minutes
‘Fuka’ Special Relaxation Treatment
It is luxurious and delightful course for your whole body such as treatments to shoulders, back, and feet and facial treatment including facial pack.
Price: 14,000 yen/ 80 minutes
Decolletee & Hands Course
Lustrous alga skin pack makes your skin soft finishing touch.
Price: 9,500 yen / 50 minutes
Special Face and Decolletee Treatment
A high quality skin and hand care course in slow and elaborate treatment.
Price: 14,000 yen / 80 minutes
*Decolletee is the term used by the cosmetic and aesthetic industry to show the body parts from the neck to chest and shoulders. Treatment to this area improves the lymph system and facial texture.
Special Body Care & Scwaran Oil Treatment
It is a longer version of Total Aroma Treatment. Scwaran Oil is used as carrier oil in the treatment which moistens your skin smoother.
Price: 15,000 yen/ 80 minutes
Optional point massages
Especially fatigued part of your body such as head, hands shoulders and feet, is intensively treated
Price: 2,000 yen/ 15 minutes
All selected aroma oils at ‘Fuka’ are products of G. Baldwin & Co. inUK. It is one of the most popular brands around the world for its mild fragrant. You can use one of aroma oils among seven items at your choice.
Oil Option -Squalane Oil Treatment
Price: plus 2,000 yen
Grape seed oil is usually used for both traditional course and also for new course.
High quality Squalane Oil keeps your skin fresh and youthful. The oil is rich in absorption so your skin will be smoother after the treatment with Squalane oil. Material of the oil ‘Scwaran’ is also found in human body, but quantity of Squalane is getting decrease according to passing of the ages which is major cause of senility.
The therapy of reflexology indirectly activates body functions by applying pressure to the system of zones on the sole of feet. It is not too strong but rather adequate pressure with a bit pain. The therapy of reflexology here is simple and easy treatment course treated without taking off your clothes.
Petit-reflexology
With using your choice of aroma oil, fatigue accumulated points on your sole of feet are intensively massaged.
Price: 4,000 yen/ 25 minutes
Foot-reflexology & Petit-hand
With using your choice of aroma oil, relieve the stiffness in your hollow of the knees, the calves of legs, the soles of feet, and all fingers from the arm joints to the tips by treatment of massage which stimulate your body functions.
Price: 7,000 yen/ 50 minutes
Shoulder, Neck & Foot-reflexology
A course of treatments, such as on your shoulders, back of the neck, and breast, and plus reflexology from hollow of the knees to the soles of feet is performed. Ease the stiffness in your fatigued parts caused in usual everyday life.
Price: 9,500 yen/ 50 minutes
Optional point reflexology
Fatigued points in particular, such at head, hands, shoulder, or feet are intensively treated.
Price: 2,000 yen/ 15 minutes
Oil Option -Squalane Oil Treatment
Price: plus 2,000 yen
Grape seed oil is usually used for both traditional course and also for new course.
High quality Squalane Oil keeps your skin fresh and youthful. The oil is rich in absorption so your skin will be smoother after the treatment with Squalane oil. Material of the oil ‘Scwaran’ is also found in human body, but quantity of Squalane is getting decrease according to passing of the ages which is major cause of senility.
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 inJapan.
Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/
(3 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...While taking bath in ‘Private Spa in the Forest’, you are completely free without any disturbance from other bathers
‘Mori-no-Private Spa’ is consisted of three different types of bathhouses. ‘Gingetsu’ is a Japanese style, ‘FU-RO’ is an Indonesian Bali style, and ‘Rinsen’ is a Chinese style, and each has an outdoor bath, a Ganban-yoku (hot stone bath) and a quiet resting area. When you make reservation, you can choose among them. Additional charge of 8,000 yen per room is required for 70 minutes (up to 4 guests). Although, maximum 6 guests can share the bathhouse, additional 1,000 yen per guest is required in this case.
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‘Gingetsu’ is spaciously built open to the natural forest. It is something like a thatched hut in a mountain village. Relax yourself in the traditional Japanese interior. A gentle breeze brings you a soft tone of sound from nature which is comfortable to your ears. Soak deeply your body in an open air bath and enjoy seeing a large 165,000㎡beautiful landscape garden just in front of the bathhouse, or spend pleasant period in a ‘Ganban-yoku’ hot stone bath. It is a good experience taking bath in ‘Private Spa In the Forest’.
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‘Ganban-buro’ hot stone bath
Living area
The ceiling of the bathhouse is decorated with plenty of bamboo which makes a full mood ofBaliatmosphere. Well illuminated interior decoration of bamboo and its quiet atmosphere in the room is wonderful, and the murmuring of flowing hot spring water is absorbed into the landscape garden. Please enjoy authentic Balinese atmosphere with something exotic feeling while taking a bath in ‘FU-RO’.
‘Ganban-buro’ hot stone bath
Living area
The wall piled up with nostalgic Chinese type bricks which had been very common inShanghaiabout 100 years ago are tender to your feeling and really a sweet pleasure to gaze upon. Feel a breeze blows over greenery forest in Mother Nature, and enjoy a pleasant and elegant moment in an olden Chinese style bathhouse.
‘Ganban-buro’ hot stone bath
Living area
＜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 inJapan. Please contact: http://www.e-koubo.co.jp/
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(4 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...Enjoy bathing in the four different types of springhead natural hot spring bathtubs
Existing facilities help promoting the concept of ‘Natural & Comfort’.
Hotel Shogetsutei has had attracting facilities, such as public bathhouse ‘Gekka-no-yu’, relaxation salon ‘Fuka’ and cottage type spa facility ‘Mori-no Private Spa’ which also help promoting the concept of new renovated zone ‘Natural & Comfort’.
Public bathhouse ‘Gekka-no-yu’ is surrounded by natural forest so you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery in each season while taking bath. You really feel something like bathing in a natural springhead Onsen. Fresh air surrounded the bathhouse will bring you to the supreme bliss of relaxation.
Both sections for men and women have natural taste of inner grand baths and outdoor baths in the landscape garden in front of the bathhouse. Different style of mist sauna and Jacuzzi are also equipped in each section.
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| Upper: Outdoor bath | |
| Lower left: Mist sauna | Lower right: Jacuzzi bath |
A feeling of natural freedom in spacious outdoor bath and Jacuzzi
A sauna next to the bathhouse is quite beautiful in Romanesque architecture. It is wholly covered with aroma of herb and white mist which make your skin revitalize in efficacy of aromatherapy. Then, soak into the Jacuzzi bath next door and make you relax mentally and physically. The herbs for aroma, such as rosemary, lavender, mint, and so on, are changed seasonally.
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| Left: Outdoor bath | Upper right: Mist sauna |
| Lower right: Jacuzzi bath made with Hinoki | |
Enjoy seeing abundant greenery forest from ‘Gekka-no-yu’ bathhouse while soaking in a springhead Onsen.
While enjoy bathing in open-air Jacuzzi, fragrance from Hinoki Japanese cypress used as the bath tub make you mentally and physically refresh.
Then, perspire profusely and make your self refresh in the mist sauna decorated with marble floor and tasteful natural stone wall. It is a precious space with the scent of ‘Hinoki’ Japanese cypress is wafting through the air. Comfortable scent of mist heals your utterly exhausted body.
Comfortable Japanese style tearoom for bathers makes them relax and recuperate after bath. A cup of healthy drinks for refreshment, such as Oolong (traditional Chinese tea), orange juice, and Ume (Japanese apricot) are served.
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/
(4 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...New restaurant ‘Ricca’ serves fine dishes cooked with rich local products
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Left: One of the dinner courses in winter season |
| Right: Variety fresh local food products in breakfast dishes |
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| 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/
(4 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...‘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.
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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
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| 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.
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| 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/
(4 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...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/
(5 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...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/
(3 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...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/
(5 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...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/
(6 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...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/
(4 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...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 »
(4 投票, 平均値/最大値: 5.00 / 5)Loading...