Kijitei Hoeiso - Traditional Ryokan in Hakone

Kijitei Hoeiso - Traditional Ryokan in Hakone

Wondering through the streets of big cities like Tokyo is a fun experience. Visiting museums, going shopping, and enjoy the nightlife are all things many of us want to do when we visit Japan. But that fast pace and rush can sometimes become a bit too much. That is why I suggest to all of you that you spend some time exploring the Japans countryside. Japan's nature is immensely beautiful, and many of its rural areas still have that mysterious and unique atmosphere. Places like these are ideal for relaxing and getting in touch with that traditional side of Japan. One such place is Hakone, a famous area located close to Tokyo and Mount Fuji, with many hot springs and interesting places to see. It is best experienced by staying in a traditional ryokan, and an ideal one I can recommend is the Kijiteo Hoeiso. I already talked about many things this place offers in our website post which you can check out here!

As I noted in the post on our website, Kijiteo Hoeiso is a luxurious and authentic ryokan set amidst the mountains of Hakone next to a river. The ryokan offers the rotenburo outdoor onsen bath by the river and the magnificent view of the great nature from guestrooms. Indoor hot spring baths are also available! All baths are constantly filled by pure hot spring water that flows directly from the source, with overflow water being discharged into the river. Also, there are private hot spring baths in your room!

Regarding meals, you won't be disappointed since Japanese breakfast and dinner are served in the dining area. They are made from high-quality local ingredients. Their staple meal is pheasant meat that is famous for being both tasty and mild. Of course, there are many other types of dishes that can be served.

The guest rooms are of high quality as you would expect, with everything you need. I want over that in our website post so you can check more about it there. However, I would like to tell you now about their annex guest cottage that is available for groups of 7 or more people. It has been converted from a traditional Japanese farmhouse. Built-in the distinct architecture of a Gassho-style house, it is a rare and important cultural building. These styles of houses were common from the 17th century up until the start of the 20th century, but few remain these days. They had the house transferred here from a village in Gifu prefecture which is renowned for these types of houses. Some of the villages in Gifu are designated as world heritage sites due to the unique cultural importance of these houses.　The cottage has a high ceiling with a steeply sloping roof and makes the perfect getaway for larger groups wishing to have a memorable and traditional Japanese experience and I highly recommend it.

One of the biggest advantages of this ryokan is its excellent location in the Hakone area. Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than one hundred kilometers from Tokyo. Famous for hot springs, natural beauty, and the view across Lake Ashinoko of nearby Mount Fuji, Hakone is an ideal destination if you want to take a break from Tokyo and enjoy all the amazing things it offers. I recommend that you get the Hakone Free Pass and use it to explore this area with several methods of transportation: train, bus, boat, cablecar, and ropeway. There are so many interesting places to see such as the Hakone Shrine, a Shinto shrine famous for its giant torii gates, one standing in the Lake Ashinoko in front of the shrine, and two others over the main street of the nearby Moto-Hakone. Lovers of nature will enjoy Owakudani, an area around a crater created during the last eruption of Mount Hakone over 3000 years ago. The ground there is bright yellow and in the air, there is a strong smell similar to rotten eggs because of the sulfur, so be prepared. Also there you can buy eggs, cooked in the naturally hot water, whose shells are black and which are said to prolong one's life by seven years. Fan of art and culture will be delighted to visit the famous Hakone Open-Air Museum where art blends with nature and where works by both Japanese and Western artists are framed by trees, grass, and mountains. The ancient and famous Tokaido road runs through Hakone, so if you enjoy hiking it is a perfect place to take a stroll. Also, the Tokaido at one point passes next to the Kijitei Hoeiso! So make sure not to miss it!

Many people have stayed at this exquisite place and have been absolutely delighted by what it offers. I am sure that if you book a stay here, you will be among them as well! If you are even a bit interested in this place, visit the Kijiteo Hoeiso and learn more! 

Araya Totoan - Historic Establishment in Yamashiro Onsen

Araya Totoan - Historic Establishment in Yamashiro Onsen

Have you ever dreamt of traveling back in time to ancient Japan and living in that land of wonders, traveling across it, meeting great samurai warriors, great artists, and wise men? Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to do that. However, there is something that we can do to at least come close to that feeling. We can explore the traditional side of Japan and do our best to experience the culture and history from up close. One great way to do that is to stay at a prestigious and historic ryokan. One that suits that description ideally is the Araya Totoan whose history extends back to 1639. I have talked a great deal about this amazing ryokan and what it offers in my website post which you can check out here. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a bit more about the history and culture behind this unique place. 

Araya Totoan is located in Yamashiro Onsen, one of the best hot springs in the Hokuriku region, which was opened almost 1300 years ago. That put that in perspective, one of the most powerful countries in the world today, the USA, has only existed for a little over 200 years!

There is an anecdote about the origins of this hot spring that goes something like this:

On his pilgrimage to Sacred Mt. Hakusan, the high priest Gyoki found a purple cloud trail and headed towards it. He then spotted a crow that tended its wounded wing in a puddle. As he came closer he discovered that the puddle was actually a hot spring. The Araya Totoan sits on the exact spot described as the hot spring source in the Karasu-yu Legend, which is also the original source of Yamashiro Onsen.

In the initial years following its discovery, the hot spring was mainly used by local farmers. However, after a retired emperor that entered the priesthood ordered the construction of temple buildings there, Yamashiro Onsen became known throughout the country. Since that time, influential persons of each historical period have visited for therapeutic purposes, such as Akechi Mitsuhide and Maeda Toshiie, the latter being the first lord of Kaga-han.

The Araya Totoan also had its fair share of famous guests, among which were the members of the Imperial family and the famed artist Kitaoji Rosanjin. He was an artist who demonstrated his talent in a number of different arts, such as seal engraving, calligraphy, and painting. In addition to being a prolific artist in a number of areas, Kitaoji Rosanjin was also a famous ceramist. In the early part of the Taisho period (the early 1900s), while in his thirties and still relatively unknown as an artist, Rosanjin stayed at Yamashiro Onsen for about one year and studied under Seika. Today the Araya Totoan houses some of the works of Rosanjin, including a red decorated plate that is considered to be his first work of ceramic art, as well as a screen that portrays the Karasu (crow cawing at daybreak) connected to the history of Karasu-yu.

These are just some of the reasons why you should visit this prestigious traditional hotel. To find out more about it visit the website of the Araya Totman. You will not regret it!