Archive for 'Travel' Category

Thermae Romae manga, travel magazine team up on Japanese bath guide

Rurubu Thermae Romae, a collaboration between the Japanese travel magazine Rurubu (るるぶ）and Mari Yamazaki’s Thermae Romae (テルマエ・ロマエ）bathhouse manga, went on sale in Japan.

Travel magazine Rurubu

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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 »

The 25th Tourism English Proficiency Test

The 25th “Tourism English Proficiency Test” was held  and the final results of the second stage tests held on the last December 11th was notified to the test takers respectively on Jan.20th via snail mail.

I took the Grade 1 test for the first time and fortunately I passed it  and, as the photo shows, I have got  a Grade 1 Certificate.

The Tourism English Proficiency Test is hosted by ZGB (Zenkoku Gogaku Business Kanko Kyoiku Kyokai,  national language tourism education association) , consists of three grades namely Grade3, 2, and 1.  http://www.zgb.gr.jp/index.html

Tests of Grade 3 and 2 which are more basic level tests consisting of  only the first stages of written parts and listening parts are held twice a year, in summer and in autumn. Yet Grade 1 the top level test is held only once a year; the first stage in autumn on the same dates with those of Grade 3 and 2 tests and the second stage test consists of  an interview test with an examiner of native speaker.

The Grade 3 is a test of  basic tourism information such as on world heritage sites in the world or Japan, festivals held in prefectures and areas, pamphlets , billboards, basic English conversation texts related to tourism,  and others. The Grade 2 is of intermediate level test of  tourism- related knowledge a little more detailed and  higher than that of  Grade 3.  And Grade 1 is for targeted  professional workers with a- few- or- more year  experiences in tourism- related business, especially, at its second stage of English interview, test takers’ aural abilities including communicative skills to work as a server for tourists are tested. At the second stage, a test taker is given a question sheet of the test in advance and ten minutes to prepare the tasks of the test, so test takers’ abilities to organize the answers using their knowledge  is tested as well. You have to choose  either “Task A”: questions for “Tour guides for foreign tourists to Japan” or “Task B”: questions for “Tour directors for Japanese tourists to overseas”.

I chose Task A because I “am” a pro tour guide and at the test I needed to answer questions such as explaining  popular Japanese world heritage sites, Hiraizumi the newest world heritage cultural site, TPP matter ,and others.All the course of the interview being recorded put me under a pressure.

I am very happy for passing the test and prove my knowledge was good as a pro guide. And I do hope  this test system will be well-known in the public in order to encourage a lot of people to take an interest in tourism, English, and inbound tourism in Japan.

 

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 »

Old restaurant mainly for breakfast was reborn as attractive main dinning ‘Hamanasu’

New dinning room ‘Hamanasu’

‘Hamanasu’ is used to be a restaurant mainly for breakfast. It was not bad for serving breakfast, but not suitable for dinner. New wallpaper and carpet covered the interior and lighting was totally changed in the renewal work. Serving method is rescheduled and newly an open style kitchen and a buffet table are equipped. All furniture in the dinning is also completely changed. Read the rest of this entry »

Beautiful sunset into the Sea of Japan is magnificent from your guest room

‘Yubae-no-yado Shiomi-so’ in Senami Onsen Resort, Nigata Prefecture finished its renewal project and opened a new special floor ‘‘The Ocean Club’ and the dinning room ‘Hamanasu’ on March 3, 2011. Read the rest of this entry »

Variety of trendy bathing facilities are skillfully laid out in each floor

‘Manyo-no-yu’ in New Chitose Airport

Name:	Manyo-no-yu’, the New Chitose Airport
Address:	4th Floor, The New Chitose Airport Terminal
	987-22 Bibi, Chitose City, Hokkaido, 066-0012 JAPAN
Phone:	0123－46－4126
FAX:	0123－45－3333
URL:	http://www.manyo.co.jp/chitose/
Total floor space:	4,773㎡
Onsen sauce:	Natural Onsen sauce in Bunkyo, Chitose City
	(Sodium chloride-weak alkaline hot spring)
Management:	Maruseppu Kanko Co.
Business hours:	23 hours a day from 10.a.m. throuout the year

■Floor layout

● 5^th Flloor

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Onsen is considered as one of the main attractions to promote visitors to the airport

‘Manyo-no-yu’ in New Chitose Airport

‘Manyo-no-yu’ in New Chitose Airport was considered as one of the main facilities in the airport building when the renovation was planned. It was expected to promote accessibility and attractiveness of the airport.

The function of the New Chitose Airport is expected to dramatically heighten by the renewal work of the terminal buildings and renovation of both facilities for domestic and international airlines. It also helps to increase number of arrivals and hours of staying at the airport. As the entrance to Hokkaido, the airport building must provide much refined hospitality service to visitors and variety of menus to attract them while staying.

The purpose of ‘Manyo-no-yu’ in New Chitose Airport is providing valuable period at the airport as an orthodox relaxation facility with using first natural Onsen water at the airport and as one of the main facilities not only for air travelers but also for local visitors.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popular Onsen Chain ‘Manyo-no-yu’ opened at the New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido

‘Manyo-no-yu’ in New Chitose Airport

Read the rest of this entry »

Two inns under the same management work in cooperation with each other

 

  

 

 

The Itsutsuro guests can use parts of public facilities in ‘Kakujoro’

 

Open-air & inner grand baths and esthetic salon in ‘Kakujoro’ are provided for room guests of ‘Itsutsuro’

  

All guest rooms in ‘Itsutsuro’ have no bathrooms, so that two charter bathrooms and one open-air charter bath are equipped instead. However, some room guests like to enjoy bathing in rather wider grand bathroom. A special path connecting to ‘Kakujoro’ is prepared from the backyard of ‘Itsuitsuro’ for these guests.

And also they can use the relaxation space ‘Riraku’ where famous SHISEIDO brand esthetic salon ‘Qi’ and L’OSERAIE is located.  

Japanese-style bar ‘Wakura’ is renovated from a 150 year-old traditional Japanese storehouse.

 

Another attraction for the room guests is a Japanese-style bar ‘Wakura’ in town, which is renovated from a 150 year-old traditional Japanese storehouse.

Parts of nearby facilities under the same management are effectively used for cover up lack of public facilities at ‘Itsutsuro’.

Not only use public facilities, but also staff members from both inns help each other accordingly. Total number of staff for ‘Itsutsuro’ is only 10, including kitchen staff.

＜Reference materials＞

Monthly Hotel Ryokan June 2011

http://ja.wikipedia.org/ 

http://www.jalan.net/

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 ‘Roman-no-yado Itsutsuro’　in Aichi Prefecture. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit Atsumi Peninsula, 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

I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is specialized in Onsen facility.

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

View Roman-no-yado Itsutsuro in a larger map