Kakunodate Sanso Wabizakura, an inn steeped in tradition and aesthetics
Senboku City, located in the eastern part of Akita Prefecture, is rich in nature, with Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen, and Akita Komagatake. Kakunodate, also known as “little Kyoto,” has a different and elegant atmosphere. The streets are lined with blackboard walls, thatched-roof samurai residences, and in spring, weeping cherry trees in full bloom cover the town.
Fifteen minutes by car from the center of Kakunodate, through the peaceful countryside, you will arrive at Kakunodate Sanso Wabizakura. This is the site where the Tozawa clan, which ruled the area, built Kadoya Castle in Jokyu 2, some 800 years ago. Kakunodate Sanso Wabizakura,” a 200-year-old old private house that was moved from Tategeshi (now Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture), is an inn with dignity and serenity befitting its historical location. With no buildings around, the chirping of birds and the gentle sound of trees swaying in the wind are the only sounds that soothe the body and soul after a long journey. There is also a shrine for marriage built on the grounds, modeled after the Izumo Taisha Shrine, and a leisurely stroll through the lushly landscaped garden is another enjoyable experience.
Healing with Akita ingredients and luxurious hot springs
The food is designed by Hiromitsu Nozaki, former executive chef of the Michelin-starred “Wentokuyama” in Minami-Azabu, Tokyo. Akita, with its rich natural environment, is a treasure trove of ingredients, including fish, meat, and vegetables. Together with head chef Yoshiharu Yabe, who has inherited Mr. Nozaki’s mastery of “healthy and delicious cuisine,” he creates monthly menus from a repertoire of 700 different items, according to the season’s ingredients. The dining room has a private room with a view of the outside, where you can enjoy creative Japanese cuisine tastefully arranged against the beautiful scenery, accompanied by Akita’s local sake, which will make you want to drink more and more. The taste of the food is well-known, and you will be satisfied with the tasteful and luxurious time you spend at the hotel.
There are 10 guest rooms in total, all of which are equipped with a half-open-air bath filled with hot spring water. While the semi-open-air baths in the rooms offer a beautiful view, the private open-air baths, which require reservations, are a must-see. Reservations are made upon check-in, and the baths can be used for 30 minutes free of charge. The liberating feeling of soaking in the baths while enjoying the view of the peaceful satoyama is exceptional. The alkaline simple spring water is soft and mild, and is often referred to as “hot water for beautiful skin.
No matter which type of room you choose, Japanese-style room, Japanese-Western-style room, or Japanese-Western-style room with dining area, you can enjoy this luxurious bath and the peaceful view of the mountain greenery. We also recommend that you step out onto the terrace attached to your room. During the daytime, you can enjoy the peaceful scenery of the satoyama, and at night you can enjoy the star-filled sky. There is no better place to spend a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The inn is the embodiment of the word “heal,” and has a mysterious charm that will make you want to return again. The longer you stay, the more you will feel that not only your body but also your mind will be healed. If you can spare a little time for yourself, please visit Wabi Sakura at least once. There is a healing time waiting for you there, to gently soothe your exhausted body and mind.
