World-renowned service “Asaba”.
Shuzenji is known as the most historic hot spring resort on the Izu Peninsula. Founded more than 500 years ago in the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the Asaba Ryokan has been loved by many famous people throughout its history and is one of the most prestigious ryokan in Japan.
Asaba was the first ryokan in Japan to join the French association “Relais & Chateaux,” which only the most prestigious inns and restaurants in the world are allowed to join.
The hotel’s history dates back to the time when the ancestor of the Asaba family, Yakuro Yukitada Asaba, visited the area to establish the Soto sect of Buddhism at Shuzenji Temple, and the natural healing features such as bamboo groves and waterfalls in the grounds of approximately 10,000 tsubo (approximately 1.2 acres) and the elegance of the Japanese architecture that seems to blend with the landscape make visitors feel relaxed and enjoy themselves. The first thing that catches the eye upon entering the museum is the “Gekkeiden” Noh stage, which floats on a vast pond of 600 tsubo. Although it was moved to the inn in the late Meiji period (1868-1912), it is still in use as a Noh stage, and together with the regular performances of Noh, Kyogen, and other leading figures in the classical performing arts, it has become a symbol of the inn. Each room has a view of the Noh stage, making the inn a place to “enjoy the Japanese miyabi” where one can savor not only the history of the inn itself, but also the history of Japanese art.
The well-maintained interior of the inn is refreshing, and the quality of the furnishings is evident at a glance. In addition to historical Japanese artifacts, masterpieces by world-renowned artists and contemporary art are casually placed throughout the inn. The luxury of being able to appreciate them to your heart’s content is another of the museum’s attractions.
Seafood from Izu, a treasure trove of ingredients
In addition to the 15 guest rooms, there is a special “Tenko” room located in a separate building. Tenko” has an indoor bath and an open-air bath with free-flowing hot-spring water, and is a whopping 220 square meters in size. The terrace, veranda, and open-air bath offer a view of the entire garden, and the special space is both elegant and relaxing. Each of the other guest rooms also has its own view of the garden, and by choosing a different room each time you visit, you will be able to admire nature as it is at any given moment. There is a salon by the pond in the hotel, where you can relax with a cup of coffee and a good book, and enjoy a different aspect of the garden from that of your room.
The best part of the trip, the food, is also top-notch. Izu is a treasure trove of ingredients, blessed with Suruga Bay and a rich variety of traditional vegetables from the foothills of Mount Amagi. Asaba, which has an established reputation for its cuisine, assembles its menu based on the day’s catch, using mainly local ingredients. The kitchen is located near each room, and all meals are brought to the room. Hot food is served while it is still warm, and ingredients whose aroma is important are served at the most delicious time, according to the tempo of the meal. This kind of attention to detail ensures that the quality of the meal is of the highest order.
“Asaba” has been loved by customers for more than 500 years. There is a sense of beauty and hospitality that has been passed down from generation to generation.
