Tokyo Weekender - December 2017 - January 2018

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experiences STAY SOAK IN A RARE HOT SPRING; EAT UNIQUE BEEF CUISINE REFRESH YOUR CITY SOUL IN NAGANO’S HIGHLANDS WHERE: OKUTSU, OKAYAMA PREFECTURE Okutsuso ryokan boasts a rare kind of hot spring known as the kagi-yu (locked bath) of Tadamasa Mori, the lord of Tsuyama domain in the Edo period, who guarded the bath to ensure he had exclusive use of it. Why is it so special? The water wells up directly from the rocks at the bottom of the bath and so is not exposed to air – this means it does not get oxidized and thus is considered uber pure. Out of 35,000 hot spring hotels in Japan, this kind of “natural” onsen is only found in a few dozen. As for the beef cuisine, Okayama has developed its own signature style. Enjoy a nine-course meal, featuring a variety of beef dishes including sozuri nabe (hot pot made with slices of beef pared from the bone) as well as the seasonal blowfish specialty. okutsuso.com/en WHERE: TATESHINA, NAGANO PREFECTURE Escape the city with a trip to Nagano’s highlands at Tateshina Kaorukaze. Spend the day rejuvenating yourself with activities such as golfing or trekking. In the summer, cool off in the purifying, refreshing breeze of the hills, and in winter, warm yourself up in the fireplace lounge as you listen to the fire crackle. The restaurant’s creative cuisine features the freshest mountain vegetables and the best seasonal local ingredients, such as wild plants and premium beef. Finish off the day with a relaxing dip in the indoor and open-air baths, fed directly from the Mimuro hot springs of Tateshina. kaorukaze.net FEEL LIKE JAPANESE ROYALTY AT THIS HISTORIC RYOKAN WHERE: SHIZUOKA For a truly traditional and luxurious Japanese experience, stay at Ochiairo Murakami ryokan, a registered Tangible Cultural Property. The Showa style ryokan takes you back in time, allowing you to appreciate historic Japanese architecture and the artisans’ attention to detail such as in the intricate patterns of the shoji sliding doors. With both Japanese- and Western-style rooms, hot spring baths and superb Japanese meals, this ryokan has all the ingredients to make this an omotenashi-filled experience. ochiairomurakami.com/en-gb SPA YOUR STRESS AWAY WHERE: NAHA, OKINAWA One of the best experiences at Loisir Spa Tower Naha Churaspa has to be the Ryukyu Ayurveda treatment, which incorporates Okinawan ingredients with Indian remedies, conditioning both the mind and the body. Afterwards, take a dip in the Miegusuku hot spring, sourced from geothermally heated fossil seawater that, unlike volcanic hot springs, contains salt which helps warm the body. The indoor swimming pool is also 70 percent hot spring water, and your Spa Deluxe Twin room has a private bath for perfect moments spent peering out at the views of the Okinawan sea and sky. solarehotels. com/en/hotel/okinawa/spatower EXPERIENCE LIFE IN AN EDO-PERIOD CASTLE TOWN WHERE: SASAYAMA, HYOGO PREFECTURE Sasayama is an old castle town that was established in Hyogo Prefecture in the early 1600s. To allow visitors to experience lifestyles and customs from the Edo and Showa periods, five traditional homes have been carefully restored and grouped together under the name Sasayama Castle Town Hotel Nipponia. Each unit offers modern comforts but maintains its original charm, allowing you to feel like you’re really living in a secluded, Edo period castle town. While enjoying the atmospheric old town, you’ll also get to enjoy state-of-the-art facilities and exquisite French cuisine made with local ingredients. sasayamastay.jp 34 | DEC 2017 - JAN 2018 | TOKYO WEEKENDER
experiences STAY STAY AT A SEASIDE RYOKAN NEAR THE KUMANO KODO PILGRIMAGE REJUVENATE AT A WELLNESS RETREAT IN WHERE: KATSUURA, WAKAYAMA PREFECTURE How about a quick getaway to a UNESCO site? Katsuura Gyoen is a luxury ryokan in the fishing port town of Katsuura (which lays claim to the highest volume of tuna fish hauls in Japan, so you can imagine the delicious seafood dishes). Overlooking Nachi Bay, the hotel’s “Ten” suites are spacious and feature open-air baths. Some of the rooms even offer views of Nachi-no-Otaki, Japan’s tallest waterfall. Best of all, the area is home to the ancient, UNESCO-registered Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route (www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo). Stretching over the mountainous Kii Peninsula (which is listed on Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2018” list), the route lets you take in the extraordinary landscape and the three Grand Shrines of Kumano, and also feel the spirituality and history that are now an integral part of the Kumano countryside. www.katuuragyoen.co.jp AN ONSEN TOWN WHERE: IKAHO, GUNMA PREFECTURE Situated on the slopes of Mount Haruna, Ikaho Onsen is a hot spring town that’s long been favored by Japanese writers and artists as a place of inspiration and relaxation. Kaichoro ryokan builds on this reputation by creating an elegant wellness retreat where you’ll not only experience soul-rejuvenating moments in the exquisite Japanese-style suites (with private gardens and open-air baths) but also relish the mouthwatering meals. The Japanese course menus change every month, and the sommelier offers drink pairing suggestions with both Japanese sake and Western drinks. Surrounded by extraordinary landscapes, you can choose to spend time in nature or being pampered in the high-class spa. kaichoro.jp/english WAKE UP TO OCEAN AND MT. FUJI VIEWS JUST 90 MINUTES FROM TOKYO WHERE: HAYAMA, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE Neighbor to the more crowded Kamakura, Hayama is a top choice for those seeking a quieter and, shall we say, more mature seaside escape that’s not too far from Tokyo. SCAPES THE SUITE is located right on the beach, offering uninterrupted ocean and Mt. Fuji views from the guestrooms. The hotel prides itself on offering “not a journey, but an escape,” part of which entails them instinctively being able to predict your needs before you’ve even expressed them (this is classic omotenashi). They also pay attention to the basics such as picking local vegetables with rich flavors in the Miura Peninsula each morning to serve delicious, fresh meals. scapes.jp/english/hotel.html ADMIRE TRADITIONAL AND MODERN DECOR AT A FAMILY-FRIENDLY RYOKAN WHERE: MINAKAMI, GUNMA PREFECTURE Looking for a child-friendly ryokan for a quick weekend family trip? Just 90 minutes from Tokyo, Bettei Senjuan is the place for you: the philosophy here is that experiencing ryokan from a young age is important, because it means that the culture can be passed on to future generations. The hotel blends traditional and contemporary architecture – the geometric patterns on the walls and ceiling are made using the Japanese paper marbling technique of Edo Suminagashi. As for the cuisine, multi-course dinners are served, featuring freshly sourced local ingredients. senjyuan.jp/e TOKYO WEEKENDER | DEC 2017 - JAN 2018 | 35
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Tokyo Weekender - December 2017 - January 2018

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