Special Suite ‘THE KUKUNA’ in the Plaza-kan House

The special suite room has an 8-mat Japanese room, living area, two sets of twin bed, and high qualified bathroom equipped with a bubble bath and even TV inside. Beautiful view of Mt. Fuji and the Lake Kawaguchi can be seen from the bathroom.  

Room rate with dinner and breakfast per person is over ¥31,500 including tax and service charge, but excluding local tax for hot spring.

‘Zayou Suite Room’ in the in the Plaza-kan House

‘Zayou Suite Rooms’ are laid out 2 rooms on the 3^rd and other 2 rooms on the 4^th floor in the ‘Plaza’ house. A high standard bathroom equipped with a bubble bath and TV inside is laid out next to the bed room separated by the glass wall.

A set of sofa, chair and table, arranged in the living & Terrace area, can be stored compactly in one piece. ‘Yukata’ (浴衣)　cotton kimono for bathing, and ‘Samui’（作務衣）or zen-style ware for sleeping are always prepared in various sizes  in all guest rooms. A refrigerator with freezer box is arranged each in 6 suite rooms in the Plaza-kan House and 14 suite rooms in the ‘Tenbou-kan’ House.

Room rate with dinner and breakfast per person is over ¥31,500 including tax and service charge, but excluding local tax for hot spring.

Guest rooms in the ‘Tenbou-kan House’ 

Guest rooms in the ‘Tenbou-kan House’ which was built in the 1^st stage renovation were also slightly adjusted this time. ‘Ryukyu-style tatami’(琉球畳) covered floor was changed to original design durable synthetic resin mat as the same material used in this renovation project.

‘Kukuna Club’

‘Tenbou-kan House’ has own club room on the 7^th floor where all guests in the club floor can use freely. Free drink is served in the evening and morning.

＜Reference materials＞

Monthly Hotel Ryokan November 2010

http://www.kawaguchiko-hotel.co.jp

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/stay/

http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/HOTEL/29755/29755.html

http://www.jalan.net/yad317194/

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce “Kaze-no-terrace KUKUNA” in Fujikawaguchiko Onsen. If you have something to ask, 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

View Kaze-no-terrace ‘KUKUNA’ in a larger map

Comfortable room of stylish and resort minded healing place

  ‘Kaze-no-terrace KUKUNA’ at the Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi started its 2^nd stage renewal project in February, 2010 and completed it on July 17, 2010.

Total floor 7,564㎡ and 9-story building of ‘Kaze-no-terrace KUKUNA’ is stood on the lakeside of Lake Kawaguchi, where is about 10 minutes drive from the Kawaguchi-ko Inter Change on the Chuo Highway.

The lakeside hotel was originally a typical Japanese inn called ‘Kawaguchi-ko Daiichi Hotel’. The original inn had stopped its business in November 2005 and started the 1^st stage total renovation including new annex house with 14 guest rooms. The typical old style Japanese inn was completely changed and reopened as a Western style resort hotel and renamed as ‘Kaze-no-terrace KUKUNA’ in November, 2006.

2^nd stage renovation project

Actually, 45 guest rooms in the ‘Chuo-kan’ and 6 rooms in the ‘Plaza’ were slightly changed on the 1^st stage renewal project. This time, all interior decoration were completely removed from these rooms and furnished with new concept interior decoration. And also, public space ‘Hikari-no-terrace’ and ‘Aesthetic Salon Liko’ are newly added. The investment cost for the 1^st stage renewal was 1,800 million yen, and 500 million for the 2^nd stage.

The main target of the 2^nd stage renewal was how to remodel typical Japanese style 12 tatami-mat rooms to attractive and profitable rooms. New design concept ‘fusion of the easiness in Japanese room and conformity of the resort style’ was arrived as an answer after long consideration. Unique Japanese rooms named ‘Zashitsu’ and ‘Zayoushitsu’ are created under the new design concept.

Superior & Delux ‘Zayoushitsu’

20 rooms of the new concept room ‘Zayoushitsu’ are newly laid out in the ‘Chuokan’ house which can accommodate 4 guests. Bath room is not equipped but high standard shower both is laid out. A glass wall separates between bed room and shower both (equipped with sliding door) which provides wider look space.

About 10㎡ of living area where used to be a ‘Hiroen’ (広縁) in the old Japanese room, is newly laid out this time. Original design durable synthetic resin mat covers the floor and automatic window blind is equipped for relaxation space. Amenity set including, milky lotion, cleansing cream, facial pack, mouth cleansing is newly arranged. A three- way mirror is arranged on window side according to advice by their lady guests for getting natural lighting.

Room rate with dinner and breakfast per person is over ¥17,850 including tax and service charge, but excluding local tax for hot spring.

Superior & Delux ‘Zashitu’

Another type of new concept room named ‘Zashitu’ is also a remodel from an old 12-mat Japanese room. It has no bed in the room but provide wider living area. Sets of ‘Futon’ (布団) or sleeping mats are placed on living area when room guests get sleep. Both ends of ceiling are furnished with new material ‘Sakai Rib’ for expressing qualified design. High standard shower both is laid out instead of bath room.

A glass wall separates between bed room and shower both (equipped with sliding door) which provides wider look space. Unique design of furniture, resembling to a set of sake pot and cups, is arranged on the window side which allows providing wider space when sets of futon sleeping ware are placed on the floor. A set of glass, cups for green tea, a teapot, and saucers are neatly arranged in a built-in type ‘Mizuya’（水屋）or cupboard.

Room rate with dinner and breakfast per person is over ¥16,800 including tax and service charge, but excluding local tax for hot spring.

❶Instead of using natural straw ‘tatami’ mats, original design mats made of synthetic fiber covers the floor.

❷Replaced old bath unit with a shower both and washstand.

❸Automatic window blind is employed.

❹3-way mirror is arranged window side where sun light comes in.

❺Sets of tea and glass are neatly arranged in a built-in cupboard.

❻Soundproofing wall with lead plate inside and unique shaped interior material ‘sakai rib’ which gives high grade impression are equipped.

❼Lower height of 45cm beds are laid out.

＜Reference materials＞

Monthly Hotel Ryokan November 2010

http://www.kawaguchiko-hotel.co.jp

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/stay/

http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/HOTEL/29755/29755.html

http://www.jalan.net/yad317194/

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce “Kaze-no-terrace KUKUNA” in Fujikawaguchiko Onsen. If you have something to ask, 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

View Kaze-no-terrace ‘KUKUNA’ in a larger map

Part-2

Mt. Zao Onsen Resort & Spa brings you to completely different world and it lingers on you unique imagery.

As the part two, I would like to inform a little bit about Onsen facilities of Chikusenso, Mt. Zao Onsen Resort & Spa including its attractive accommodations in detail.

Chikusenso, Mt. Zao Onsen Resort & Spa, is the first luxurious hotel in the Tohoku district, Japan. Covering 66,000 sq meters in the Zao Quasi-national Park, the hotel has only 32 luxurious guest rooms. It takes about two hours from Tokyo by the Super-Express trains “Shinkansen”. The renewed hotel is surrounded by two meandrous freshwater streams with waterfalls and natural forest of bamboo and tall deciduous trees which is spectacular and heals all arrival guests.

Feel as if you were in a dream while soaking in a warm milky white hot spring.

At the foot of Mt. Zao where Chikusenso is located, there is a well-known Toggata Onsen. Since its opening, Toggata Onsen has been regarded as 神の湯 “Kamino-yu” or a sacred onsen and prospered with many arrivals for a hot-spring cure in over 400 years. Hot spring water using for Chikusenso is originated from this famed Toggata Onsen and two other own hot spring wells. Abundant hot water can be provided for all Onsen facility, including each outdoor bath in most guest rooms in the hotel.

Experience bathing in onsen like no other at Chikusenso. The spring water here is mostly sulfurous and its mineral composition of sodium, sulfate-calcium and chloride offers moisturizing, skin-beautifying and healing benefits. Its thermal energy stimulates both the circulatory system and nervous system. The water pressure also enhances your cardiopulmonary functions.

Chikusenso’s public Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Indoor and Outdoor Onsens are luxuriously integrated with the surrounding. The Ladies’ outdoor onsens feature breathtaking views of the meandering river, bamboo groves and oaks. The Gentlemen’s outdoor onsen with its natural rocks and stones provide an Edenic connection with nature.

Details of hot springs

Temperature: 40 degrees C
Effect-efficacy: Recommended for those suffering from arteriosclerosis, muscle ache, stiffness in joints, bruising, sprains, and general fatigue. Aid to in recovery from illness, soothing effects on skin and general well-being.

Spa Botanica

Spa Botanica makes an impressive presence in Chikusenso also, which is the first arrival to Japan. The 720 square meter Spa Botanica Chikusenso is the destination sister spa of award-winning Spa Botanica Sentosa, Singapore. It is reputed for its premium facilities, products and services that are well-desired the world over.

Sympathize to biorhythm of humans and provide a comfortable atmosphere. Surrounding nature is your nest.

Chikusenso features a total of 32 well-appointed rooms with pleasant, natural earth tones that blend with the tranquil ambience of the surrounding.

The architectural brilliance of this resort provides superb views of a meandering river, bamboo groves, towering oaks, gardens, mountain in each changing season from every room. Integrated traditional elements like Shoji (paper sliding doors) and Bamboo accentuates the beauty of Japanese architecture which embraces nature alongside the conveniences of modern facilities.

Multi-purpose guest room lets you enjoy small group celebrations or creative classes. There is also a Seven Eden Wellness Centre Gym for those who enjoy keeping fit.

〈Suites〉

〈Deluxe Rooms〉

Restaurant “Kamajin”

Tapping on the natural resources and the freshest produce in the region

The beautiful, spacious atmosphere of Kamajin, that is created by Mr. Daisuke Miyashita, a leading restaurant producer in Japan, takes diners to heights of enjoyment. “Kamajin”, the name of the restaurant, is derived from the old folklore. According to the local folklore, a god called “Kamajin” was believed to dwell in the cooking stove. Tapping on the natural resources and the freshest produce in the region, the Executive Chef emphasizes the art of respectful preparation of Japanese seasonal natural cuisine with a dash of creative interpretation.

■General Information

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I will be very happy to accompany you to this internationally qualified hot spring resort, “Chikusenso” in Togatta Onsen.

Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contacts.

Please Contact Us/お問合せ

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Renovated Royal Grace Hotel reborn as “Umino Hotel Simahana” under Hotel New Awaji Group

A new style friendly and casual type seaside hotel called “Umino Hotel Shimahana” will be open in Sumoto Onsen Resort, Awaji Island soon. It features the brilliant vista of Kitan Strait and the Suntopia Marina from the guest rooms. Especially its lobby is very attractive as been constructed in the well-hole style from the ground level to the top floor. A main dining and organic food café is laid out in this attractive lobby floor which serve really health-concerned French cosine cooked with fresh local materials in Awaji Island.

Hotel New Awaji, one of the leading resort hotels in Sumoto Onsen, announced that a new resort hotel named “Umino Hotel Shimahana” will be open on July 20, 2010. The new resort hotel was closed Royal Grace Hotel within the Suntopia Marina located in Orodani, Sumoto City. The group purchased this closed resort hotel and reborn as “Umino Hotel Shimahana” after complete renovation. Including this new hotel, number of hotels under the group will be 7, such as Awaji Yumesenkei, Amahara, Plaza Awajishima, Yumekaiyu Awajishima, Kotohira Kadan, and the flag ship hotel of Hotel New Awaji.

According to Mr. Koichi Kinoshita, CEO of the group, the Royal Grace Hotel of 4,200 square meters in the 6-story building was open in 1985 and has stopped its business since 2002. The ex-owner of the hotel in Tokushima Prefecture tried sounding out his will of purchasing in February, and he finally decided buying it the following month. Purchased hotel is now under renovation such as the well-hole style hotel lobby.

Provide rather reasonable rate for expecting new customers

A senior managing director, Mr. Manabu Kinoshita added that, the new hotel will be managed under their subsidiary company,  Shimahana Co. The number of guest rooms will be reduced from 79 to 46 and newly hired 40 hotel staff will be in charge of it. “Umino Hotel Shimahana” was so named as their hope that all guests could feel comfortable while staying, as being beautiful flowers bloom in Awaji Island. The hotel rate was set lower than 15,000 yen per person if one room shared with two guests. The previous rate was over 20,000 yen per person.

New features of the hotel is its hot spring outdoor bath laid out on the top floor and new type of all tiled guest rooms for pet lovers, that can accommodate guests with smaller than medium-sized dogs. Natural hot spring water of famed Sumoto Onsen is gushed out at the foot of Mt. Mikumayama and is brought into the outdoor bath in the hotel. Pure sea water in the depths of the sea is used for the thalasso cure treatment provided also here.

Thanks to its good location facing to the Suntopia Marina, Shimahana provides glass-bottom cruiser service which going and coming between the hotel and other group hotels, so you can enjoy Onsen in these hotels, such as “Kuniumi-no-yu” and “Awaji-Tanada-no-yu” in Spa-terrace Suigetsu, “Tengu-no-shizuku” in Awaji Yumesenkei as well.

The CEO also said “Some people worried about a scramble among other 5 group hotels to get the single guest in the same market. However, we considered that a hotel in operation will be better than a closed hotel existing in the area. Awaji is younger hot spring resort and still has an expectation in progress of tourism compared with other existing older resorts in Kinki district such as Arima and Kinosaki. We like to keep providing more comfortable service forever.”

■General Information

●Hotel Rates with Dinner and Breakfast

(July 20 – August 31, 2010)

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I will be very happy to accompany you to famed hot spring resort, “Sumoto Onsen.”

Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contacts.

Please contact to email address:  CoolToursJapan@gmail.com or miura.kiyohsi198@gmail.com
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August, 2002  Unyu Tenzan

Resting Area & Bathhouse Okuzashiki, Okunoyu

The resting area was one of the last temporary structures remaining from Tenzan’s opening in 1966. The old structure, located on the site near the erosion control bank in the Sukumogawa River, had used as private guest rooms for resting. The Tenzan management planned replacing it to new style private Onsen area.

A new two-story building was constructed in 2002, to replace it. In this new building, the 1^st floor was named “ZashikiI-bokko” or a Japanese Tatami-room for being pleasantly idle, and contained a resting area and a small library.

The 2^nd floor was named “Kakuregumo” or a detached cloud, and it enclosed 7 more private resting areas. Both floors are connected with the main building via a corridor and an overhead bridge.

Resting Area of the Okuzashiki.

“Zashiki-bokko” is built so its floor slowly descends toward the riverbank, where there is an abundance of steam in the air. Beautiful greenery landscape on the other side of the riverbank can be observed from the Japanese room. You can enjoy fresh air if you fully open the all wide glass windows, as you feel like resting in nature.

“Kakuregumo” on the 2^nd floor, is built like a circling mezzanine with an opening in the middle, which provides image of sequence, and guest can observe the scenery below.

Remote Private Onsen, OKUNOYU.

A private outdoor bath is located at the deepest end, and reserved only for “Kakuregumo” users. Thanks to two additional wells, there is abundance of Onsen water available. The new private outdoor bath was named “Okunoyu” or remote Onsen.

A simple wooden hut structured with bare chestnut tree pillars was built as the changing room. The roof is covered with cedar bark, the veranda has a bamboo floor and only a lattice door is employed as an interior fitting. The Tenzan owner had strongly hoped that the changing room would look like a grass hut. Architect, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa understood his good sense.

The rustic outdoor bath “Yaten-buro” has no roof and is surrounded by green grass. It is simply laid out in the deep mountain.

You really feel something like bathing in nature. Abundance of Onsen water and surrounding nature is just reserved for you. It is a kind of supreme pleasure, isn’t it?

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A beautiful Usunegawa River and Thatched Onsen Lodges

When you drive up along the Usunegawa River from Numata City in Gunma Prefecture, you will arrive in an old hot spring, Kawaba Onsen at a small basin in the Hotaka highlands. It is said that the Great Teacher, Kobo Daish founded the Onsen. Meanwhile, you will see several beautiful old Japanese houses with thatched roof along the street. These thatched old houses used to be private residences in Japan, but no more use for modern living.

Onsen Inn Yutorian Gate

One of the leading recycling companies named “Eco Keikaku” is trying to purchase these thatched houses for preservation. The oldest house among them was more than 300 years old, but the structures are still firm enough to support its heavy thatched roof. Each old house was carefully replaced from its existed place to the hot spring, and all interior was renovated as using for Japanese inn while preserving its original shape.

Remodeled Thatched Old Houses

On March 5, 2010, a new Onsen inn with only eight guest rooms started its business after the completion of renovation work. Old household utensils and articles of everyday use, such as a chest of drawer, and a “Tsutsu-gaki” drawing tool which have been collected by the recycling company, are also displayed in the house.

Yutorian Guest Room

Why a recycling company is running Japanese Onsen inn? Actually, the new Onsen inn in the Kawaba Onsen is the second project of their lodging business. Eco Keikaku has started another Onsen inn named “Hatago” in Yakushi Onsen, Gunma Prefecture since October, 2005. The new hotel was projected under the similar concept as the first one. They also have several Japanese restaurants, named “Jidaiya” or a curio in Tokyo. Materials once used for old houses are brought into these Japanese restaurants and recycled for interior fixtures after careful renovation.

Inner Bath and Outdoor Bath

Their bathing facility with natural hot spring in “Yutorikan” is very attractive. Each room has its own private outdoor bath as well as inner one. If you like to enjoy rather wider bath, there are three different grand bathhouses, named “Hotaka-no-yu”, “Kobo-no-yu”, and Sato-no-yu”. All bathtubs are filled with overflowing abundant natural hot spring water. Efficacy of hot spring is said to be especially good for skin care, as well as for various kinds of ailments, such as neuralgia, muscular pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, paralysis, and so on.

“Yutorian” is also available for day trippers. When you visit nearby sightseeing spots, it is good idea to stop by and enjoy a quick bathing. Among various plans for day trippers, their “Quick Onsen with Japanese Lunch” plans are recommendable. You can enjoy comfortable Onsen bathing and tasting fine Japanese cuisine in the old thatched house. The Japanese Lunch consisted of tofu bean curd, soba brown noodles and other tasty dishes is 3,000 yen. If you like to take a quick bathing only, you may pay 1,000 yen for adult, and 500 yen for child.

＜Guests’ Reputation on the “JARAN” Website＞

*Standard level is 3.0 out of 5.0.

 ■General Information

■Standard tariff for each guest

＊The prices shown in the next chart are standard (in case that one room shared with two guests), and each prices will be changed according to your choice of different meal plans.  

＊The above prices include two meals, service charge, and tax, but exclusive 150 yen local tax for Onsen.

Breakfast and Kaiseki Dinner

■Fee for day trippers (Exclusive local tax)

＊The above prices include service charge and tax, but exclusive 150 yen local tax for Onsen.

2,500 yen & 4,000 yen Lunch Sets

■Fee for a quick bathing

View Yutorian Onsen Inn in a larger map

Super Hotel City Osaka & Mr. Ryosuke Yamamoto, CEO

Every thing is quite unique in the Onsen hotel in Osaka, named the Super Hotel City Osaka. It is under one of the big hotel chains named “Super Hotel” in Japan. The chain has 95 business hotels as of April 1, 2010. Mr. Ryosuke Yamamoto, CEO, has put special concern on his hotel rooms providing comfortable conditions for good sleep. For example, all rooms are soundproofed form street noise. There are several kinds of pillows so that you can choose most suitable type among them. The next morning after good sleep, you can enjoy buffet style breakfast in the restaurant with reasonable prices, 730 yen for adult, and 480 yen for child.

Amenities for ladies and various types of pillows.

At the same time, he has tried avoiding other unnecessary functions in hotels under his chain. The hotel has public phone booths at the lobby floor, but no room phones. Excluding at Super Hotel City Osaka, in the most hotels under the chain, vending machines for drinks are equipped on every floor, but no refrigerator in the guest rooms.

Breakfast Buffet & Japanese Dinner at reasonable prices.

Prices for drinks in the vending machine are usually cheaper than those in vending machines in town. Once, their garbage boxes in their rooms were filled with empty cans that their guests purchased them in town. Learned from this bad experience, they promptly changed their prices lower than those of in town.

All lights are turned off after the check out time of 10 a.m. even though some guests complain about this strict house rule, but he never tried changing the rule. The hotels can save money for energy and therefore they help reducing carbon dioxide emission in our planet. Thanks to the saved cost, the chain can keep providing good conditioned hotel rooms at reasonable rate.

Single & twin room of the hotel.

There are always a few guests who complain on this house rule, but most guests support it. Because, all staff working under the chain hotel is always trying to hear real vice from majority of guests. The fact shows that over 70% of their guests are repeaters and average room occupancy rate has kept over 88%. We can realize that hotel reputation has been good enough even under the rather strict house rule. Actually, the chain honored with the first place in Japanese Customer Satisfaction Index in the Hotel Industry sponsored by the Committee of Service Productivity & Innovation for Growth under the Japan Productivity Center this year. Surprisingly, many famous names in the industry, such as Imperial Hotel, Starwood Hotel, and Hotel Okura, could not overcome this economy class hotel chain. The chain also honored with the one of the two organizations for Japan Quality Award in 2010.

Japanese Customer Satisfaction Index in the Hotel Industry

Sponsored by: The Committee of Service Productivity & Innovation for Growth under Japan Productivity Center

German Cure-house Style Onsen Facility

Another attraction for guests in the Super Hotel City Osaka is their bathing facilities. The hotel has a natural Onsen which is quite rare case in this type of hotels. Natural hot spring is gushing out from 1,000 meters under the ground. It is said that its natural hot water in brown color has a quite good efficacy for keeping guests younger, more beautiful and healthier. The Onsen facility is basically in German Cure-house style, consisting of grand bath, small bath, foot bath, jet-bubble bath, waterfall bath, beauty-treatment bath, sauna, and so on.

Osaka sightseeing spots are accessible from the hotel

Why don’t you stay one or two nights in this hotel when you visit Osaka? You can enjoy seeing many attractive spots there, such as Grand Cube Osaka (Osaka International Convention Center), Osaka Castle, Universal Studio in Japan, Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN, Zepp Osaka, International Exhibition Center (Intex Osaka), and so on. All these interesting spots are located in places accessible from this economical hotel.

■General Information

■Tariff

View Larger Map

Edo-style Banpeiyu Bathhouse.

The origin of Banpeiyu” dates back to about 600 years ago in the Period of North and South Dynasties in history. The old document said that a deity in Rokuro’s dream suggested where should be dug for finding Onsen. Rokuro was a son of the defeated soldier, Ukon Hamada who was fleeing the enemy. The son was trying to find Onsen to cure his father’s sword wound caused by the civil war. He followed what the deity said and could find a hot spring there. It is said to be the origin of Hinagu Onsen in 1409. Although, nobody knows real story, at least “Hinagu” Onsen has existed since 600 years ago.

2nd Floor, Banpeiyu Grand Bath and Outdoor Bath.

The Onsen used to be called “Gozenyu” or my lord’s Onsen, because during the Edo Period, it was owned by the Hosokawa clan, a feudal lord of the Higo-han (Old Kumamoto), as a private Onsen. The Onsen was specifically divided into three different areas. “Gozen-motoyu” or my lord’s Onsen was reserved only for the Hosokawa family. The next one called “Otsugi-no-yu” or the second bath was for samurai warriors and the last one “Hira-yu” or the public bath for citizens.

The name was changed to “Hinagu-onsen-motoyu” after the Meiji Era, and then changed again to “Hinagu Onsen Center” in Showa 42 (1967).

"Ashiyu" foot bathing and "Banpeiyu" citrus.

The bathhouse was totally renewed on June 21, last year and newly named as “Banpeiyu” derived from the famous local Banpeiyu (晩白柚) citrus. The new 3-storys bathhouse was imaged after the old “Gozen-motoyu” style. “Motoyu” or the grand public bath is laid out on the 1st floor, and “Banpeiyu” or grand outdoor bath and sauna is on the 2nd floor, “Kazokuyu” or Japanese rooms with private bath are on the 3rd floor. Among new facilities, “Kazokuyu” is the most attractive one. As you pay 1,000-1,500 yen additionally, you can make yourself more comfortable without any disturbance from other bathers.

3rd Floor, "Sakura" Japanese room with bath.

There is an “Ashiyu” or public Onsen for feet bathing at the front entrance area. You don’t hesitate to take it when you visit there, because it is free of charge.

"Wasamon" restaurant Japanese dish and a variety of local products in the shop.

A wide variety of local products, such as fresh vegetable, soy sauce, soy bean past, and local handicrafts, are available at the shop on the 1st floor.
“Wasamon” Restaurant on the 2nd floor uses local products, including fresh seafood purchased directly from the local fish market, as their ingredients.

■General Information

■1st Floor (Motoyu Public Bath)

■ 2nd Floor (Banpeiyu Grand Bath)

■ 3rd Floor (Kazokuyu Private Bath)

View Banpeiyu in a larger map

Lodge Hagoromo & its signboad.

Unyu Tenzan is located 30 meters below the old Hakone Kaido highway, at the front banks of Sukumogawa River. Visitors can see the stream rising between the trees. It looks something like a Shangri-La in the deep mountain. Sitting just next to the Japanese style Tenzan bathhouses, there was a Spanish style resort house owned by a financial institution in Tokyo. The combination of typical Japanese bathhouses and Spanish resort house had created something very unique contrast.

Lodge Hagoromo entrance area.

In 1999, Tenzan purchased this bank’s employee resort facility. After renovation of the resort house, Tenzan made farther step into lodging industry. A small 8-room inn was built; replacing the bank’s Spanish style, white terracotta building. The new lodging house was named “TORYU-TOJI HAGOROMO”, or Sojourners’ Lodge for hot-spring cure, HAGOROMO. The name “HAGOROMO” came from Japanese word meaning the celestial robe of an angel.

Lodge Hagoromo Guest room & Its small library.

The essence of “UKIYOBURO” or old Edo-style bathhouse was magnified and employed for the new lodge. Their brochure says of it “Come and enjoy 4 days 3 nights of relaxation among the clouds.” Guests can relax in a tranquil Onsen vacation retreat. Although small in size, the intimate inn is equipped with its own dining room, library, private bath, and esthétique salon. In keeping with its spirit of rejuvenation, brown rice and five-grain rice are served at breakfast and dinner, respectively.

■General Information

■Accommodation fee (Inclusive tax)

＊A dinner is available for your request. Please pay 1,700yen additionally.

View Hagoromo Lodge in a larger map

The new gurst house, "Saiou-no-miya."

 We have three major Shinto shrines in Japan. They are Ise Jingu in Mie, Iwa-shimizu-hachiman-gu and Kamo-jinnja in Kyoto. The Hotel Sen-no-mori is very close to one of the three, Ise-jingu. The hotel added new attraction to their clients when opened “SAIOU-NO-MIYA” guest house in the hotel compound on November 7, last year.

The torii gate of the Ise Jingu Shrine.

The name of the annex guest house “Saiou-no-miya”is derived from the phantom palace for an Imperial princess who served as a maiden in the Ise Shrine in behalf of the Emperor in Heian Period. The hotel tries to revive the dramatic dynasty world in the Heian Period that was described in famous Japanese literature “Ise-monogatari” or Tales of Ise and “Genji-monogatari” or Tales of Genji. The dramatic interpretation of the hotel image was created by a female producer under the careful guidance of experts from the Saiou Historic Museum, patronizing for ladies.

A part of "Genji-monogatari-emaki."

An image of Saiou.

The new six-story annex has 28 guest rooms with open-air bath, two restaurants, spa, lounge, and library. Although, all rooms have open-air bath, made of beautiful chinaware, unfortunately Onsen water is not used. If you like to enjoy Onsen, the hotel has nice open-air Onsen bath in the main building. The annex is connected with the main building by the corridor, so you can easily walk in and take these comfortable Onsen.

A small outdoor bath of the private room.

Open-air bath in the Hotel Sen-no-mori.

One more attraction for ladies is that beautiful “Yukata” or cotton kimono in various colors and sizes are available at “Yukata-kan” or the wardrobe.

Various colors and sizes of "Yukata" for ladies.

＜Rating on the “JARAN” Website＞

＊Standard level is 3.0 in 5.0 points.

■General Information

■Tariff for 1 person

＊The above prices include two meals, service charge, and tax, but exclusive 150 yen local tax for onsen.

View Saiou-no-miya in a larger map

Unique bath "KAMABURO" in Hakone Tenzan.

 

"ISHIBURO" in Kuga, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

There are two ways of enjoyment of bathing. “Onyoku” or hot water bathing is one. Another is a sauna form of the steam bath.

Original bath in Japan is said to be a steam bath but not hot water bath, which dates back to ancient or even in pre-historical years. The Japanese word “FURO” or bath is considered to be the same meaning of “MURO” or room. The “FURO” or bathroom was actually a small cave with a vent behind. In the old days, a hole that is large enough for a person, were dug into a rock. Branches were burnt inside, and then wet seaweed or straw mats wet in sea water were laid on top to create steam for the sauna. The “ISHIBURO”or stone bath in the Itsukushima Island is typical one among them. It is said that “KOBO-DAISHI”or Great Buddhist Priest Kobo created it. This style of bathing still exists in a few places in the Seto Inland Sea area.

Ancient Style "KAMABURO" in Yase, Kyoto.

“KAMABURO”or earthen pot bath in Yase, Kyoto is also the origin of Japanese bath in different kind. It dates back to the Battle of Jinshin in 672 A.D. in Japanese history. It is said that Prince Ohama (Later Emperor Tenmu) was wounded by an enemy’s arrow on his back in the battle. He bathed in “KAMABURO” to cure his arrow wound. People says that the name of place 八瀬（矢背）“YA-SE” or arrow-back originated from this event.

Modern style "KAMABURO" in Hakone Tenzan.

Modern “KAMABURO” is usually made of concrete and plaster mixture, sitting on top heat absorbing bricks. Burner flames heat up the bricks, when then heat up the “KAMA” or a pot. Bathers lay on straw mat placed on the floor in a pot. Occasionally water is sprinkled over the straw mat to maintain the temperature of approximately 50 degree Centigrade (120 degree Fahrenheit), for longer enjoyment.

The interior of "KAMABURO" in Hakone Tenzan.

This “KAMABURO” process is rarely used now, due to lack of skilled builders. Fortunately, you can still enjoy this time honored bathing style in Hakone Tenzan. Is it considered to be something obsolete style? Answer is no. It is really a kind of simple and natural bathing style, and still very attractive and trendy even in today.

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As you know, I wrote about fishermen’s Onsen, “TORETORE-NO-YU” in Shirahama, last time. How about farmers Onsen!  Yes, one of the well known agricultural corporations, “WAGOEN” Group started Onsen business on June 23, 2009.

"WAGOEN" Direct Sales Store.

The group is successful agricultural company associated with local farmers in Katori, Chiba Prefecture. They are now planning to create new kind of theme park based on direct sales stores for their agricultural products. The plan includes rental farms, vacation cottages, a campsite, a small stock farm, and an open-air theater. These facilities will be laid out on the land that includes one local Onsen named “BENI-KOMACHI”.

"KARIN-NO-YU" Inner Bath.

The group purchased the Onsen and put money for its renovation. Old “BENI-KOMACHI” Onsen was beautifully renovated last June and now it is attracting bathers from nearby cities.

"KARIN-NO-YU" Outdoor Bath.

The Onsen has an outdoor bath, an inner bath, and a mist sauna in both men’s and women’s bathhouses. Especially, its Japanese-style outdoor bath is wonderful. You can enjoy seeing surrounding greenery landscape in daytime and a multitude of stars at night while bathing in Onsen.

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Revived Edo-style "Ukiyoburo" in Hakone Tenzan.

The men’s inner bath was redesigned with the similar improvements. An “URUSHI-BURO” or ancient cypress bath tub coated with japan was also employed, here. Actually, the “URUSHI-BURO” set for women’s inner bath could not last long and beautiful color of japan faded caused by ultraviolet rays in less than a year. Learned from this bad experience, experimental trials were done, and finally anti-fade lacquer was developed. The new type of anti-fade lacquer was applied to both inner bathes for men and women. So, now you can enjoy Onsen bathing in a beautiful “URUSHI-BURO” that is finished as the same quality as traditional japan lacquer ware.

"Urushi-buro" or japan lacquered bathtub for Men's Inner Bath.

The “GENSHO-SEKI” granite fishing floor had the same continuity to the outdoor bath at the same height. “MEDAKE” anti-fungus short bamboo was used for its ceilings. And the first grade charcoal “BINCHOTAN” particles were embedded into the walls, so the room could breathe better. Abundant in rather hotter natural Onsen water is always full and overflowed from the bathtub. A small bathtub beside the hotter one was full of lukewarm water that makes bathers enjoy combination of temperature.

"Binchotan" charcoal embedded wall for Men's Inner Bath.

After 30 years of continual improvement and remodeling, Hakone Tenzan finally created the reality of Architect Ebisawa’s dreamt images of the “UKIYO-BURO” or Edo-style Floating World Bathhouse in contemporary style.
Hakone Tenzan

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Read more :www.cnngo.com

Jindaiji Onsen Yukari: tel. 042 499 7777, 10am-10pm, closed first Wednesday of every month

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Hakone Tenzan; Women's Inner Bath

Open air design for “IKKYU” was quite successful, but in comparison, existed inner bath for women was traditionally designed and was seemed enclosed, stuffy, and obsolete. Bathers simply used it as warming their bodies before taking “NOTEN-BURO” or outdoor bath.

Architect, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa employed the same concept of “openness” used for the annex bathhouse “IKKYU.” An ordinal and mediocre old inner bath was completely redesigned and reconstructed in 1995.

New women’s inner bath was protruded to the outside next to the outdoor bath in half. You can enjoy feeling in outdoor while staying in an inner bath.

An “URUSHI-BURO” or old “HINOKI” cypress bath lacquered with japan was employed this time. The japan bathtub is maintenance free and can be used without weekly day off.

"ISSUN-BOSHI" or Japanese Tom Thumb in a japan lacquered bowl.

We have an old fairy tale named “ISSUN-BOSHI” or Japanese Tom Thumb. The story said that a young “ISSUN-BOSHI” took a lacquer soup bowl as his boat for rowing out along  the river when he went down to Kyoto. He was supposed to use this lacquer soup bowl as his bathtub when bathing, too. A small lacquer soup bowl is not large enough for your bathing, however.  Why don’t you bathe in an “URUSHI-BURO” or  japan lacquered bathtub in “UNYU-TENZAN” instead. You can pretend yourself being a present-day “ISSUN-BOSHI” in a “URUSHI-BURO” .

Hakone Tenzan; The Dressing Area in the Women's Bathhouse.

A space with exposed wooden beams and high ceiling structure was laid out as washing area, farther away from open side avoiding outside cool air.
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