Experience Okayama while in the hotel

Standing on top of a hill in Higashiyama Okayama City, “Hotel Okura Okayama” is one of the most elegant hotels in Okayama City. Although the hotel is in the center of the city, it is surrounded by rich greenery, and the great location allows guests to view the castle city from above.
Views of the four seasons are pleasing, and the night view is also wonderful. One can enjoy a rich feeling by looking at the shining city for a while.
There are a wide range of accommodation plans to choose from, such as those with a set of local ”sake” and Bizen-yaki ”sake” cups, Valentine’s and “White Day” (Japanese day for returning gifts given on Valentine’s Day), hot-pot menu, and introduction to Zen meditation included in the accommodation fee. All plans are carefully thought out so that guests can fully enjoy Okayama within the hotel.

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Ryokan with a long history

Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan in the north and the Chugoku Mountains in the south. It is also surrounded by the natural beauty of Lake Shinji and the Nakaumi Sea. Minamikan is located in this rich natural environment.

Kaibikan is a long-established ryotei ryokan (Japanese-style inn) founded in 1888, and is located on the shore of Lake Shinji in Matsue, which was once a castle town. Although the ryokan has been in business for more than 120 years, it has undergone renovations and is loved by many people for its comfort and the sense of dignity that only a long-established ryokan can provide.

Minamikan, an inn nestled on a lake

The most attractive thing about the Minamikan is its location, which is said to be ” an inn nestled by a lake. Located near Lake Shinji, the Minamikan offers a panoramic view of the lake from its rooms. Not only that, but you even feel as if you are actually on the lake. The sun sets, the clouds drift by, and you can experience the changing face of nature in a more profound way. No other ryokan will allow you to experience nature to this extent.

In 2021, the lakeside garden was ranked fourth in the nation bythe Journal of Japanese Gardening, an American magazine specializing in Japanese gardens. The garden’s ingenuity in making the most of nature while providing visitors with a sense of peace and tranquility has also been highly acclaimed overseas.

The garden is also known to have been loved by the royal family, cultural figures such as Toson Shimazaki, Taro Okamoto, and Ryunosuke Akutagawa, as well as political and financial figures and artists in the past. In particular, Toson Shimazaki is said to have stayed at the hotel until after his scheduled departure, and the “Toson’s Room” still remains as it was in those days.

Healing the Tired Body

Of course, it is not only the beauty of the scenery that relieves the fatigue of travelers. The hot springs and meals are also prepared with heartfelt hospitality to the delight of guests. The hot spring water is sodium calcium sulfate/chloride spring water.

The restaurant uses local seafood from the sea and mountains to satisfy the palates of visitors with seasonal dishes and local cuisine. One of the most popular dishes is “tai-meshi” (rice with sea bream), which has been a favorite since the establishment of the restaurant. This tai meshi has been a favorite dish since the establishment of the restaurant. The sea bream minced from a 1.5- to 2-kilogram class domestic sea bream is lavishly used as the sashimi portion. When dashi broth based on bonito flakes, which is said to be the lifeblood of tai meshi, is poured over it, the dish has a deep, yet light and elegant flavor. The tai-meshi that is made with such care and attention is unlike any other, and is a taste that can only be found here.

In this way, Minamikan is a place that should be visited at least once to get away from the busyness of daily life, and to experience and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Why not come and heal your body and soul after a long day of daily life?

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Feel the luxury of simplicity at “Satoumi Residence”.

Oarai Town, located in the center of the coastline of Ibaraki Prefecture, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is a port town known for Oarai Beach, which has been selected as one of the “100 Best Shore Sceneries of Japan” for its wonderful seaside scenery. In the middle of the Meiji period (1868-1912), the town was a place for “tio-touji,” a type of sea bathing for medical treatment, and was lively with inns built by people coming from Tokyo and other places to stay at. The inn that stands along the Oarai coast is “Rikai-tei Kinparo Hontei.
The “Satoumi House” was first opened in 1888 by Tousuke Ishii, who was engaged in the river steam business (water transportation) between Mito and Oarai, as “Kinnamaro,” a recreational inn where people could enjoy a therapeutic sea bath in a bath filled with seawater regardless of the season. The inn was reborn as “Rikaitei” in order to recreate the charm of “a recreational inn where one can deeply enjoy the taste of the sea,” which was once the goal of “Kinnamaro. The distance from the inn to the beach is approximately 30 meters. It is a wonder that the inn’s guests feel nostalgic and calm as they listen to the rhythm of the waves in the sea breeze in front of the ocean.

A place to stay that makes you want to come back again.

Nothing glamorous is placed in the inn. The inn is designed to be barefoot so that guests can feel as if they have returned to their own countryside or vacation home, valuing simplicity and coziness. All of the eight rooms are oceanfront, and not only are the views spectacular, but the rustic warmth of the wooden furniture and solid wood in every room is comfortable and calming, making you feel as if you want to stay there forever. There is nothing special about the inn, but the simplicity and rustic atmosphere created by “Satoumi Residence,” as if it were your own special time and place, creates a “place you will want to come back to.

The cuisine at the inn is also centered on dishes that offer a taste of “everyday life by the sea. The kitchen at “Satoumi House” is said to be very busy as it goes to a nearby fishmonger and vegetable market every day to stock up, and starts processing the ingredients in the afternoon. Meals served in a room with a view of the Oarai coast and the warmth of wood create a special yet cozy dining experience unique to “Satoumi Residence. The view of the sea can also be enjoyed in the baths, of which there are two types: a “wooden bath” and a “stone bath. Both baths use spring water from Mt. Oarai, the source of the sacred water of Oarai Isomae Shrine, which has a history of more than 1,000 years. The “wooden bath” has a relaxing space for guests to use after taking a bath, or to quench their thirst with a cup of herbal tea or juice while enjoying the view of the sea from the roof balcony.

Near the inn, there are spots to enjoy each of the four seasons. We recommend a visit to Hitachi-Kaihin Park, where nemophilas bloom in spring and kochias cover the entire area in autumn, and to the beach and aquarium in summer. If you visit the inn in winter, you can stay in your room and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of the “air storm,” which is said to be seen on cold mornings. The inn offers both the pleasure of going out and the coziness that makes you want to go home as soon as possible.

NIHONMONO – 「にほん」の「ほんも…

地域に根付いたお稲荷さん「笠間稲荷神社」／茨城県笠間市 – NIHONMONO お稲荷さんとして親しまれる神社。 茨城県笠間市にある笠間稲荷神社は創建が651年と伝わり、約1360年の歴史を

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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.

NIHONMONO – 「にほん」の「ほんも…

名匠の技 歴史を感じる趣深い宿「沼津倶楽部」／静岡県沼津市 – NIHONMONO 伊豆半島の自然に囲まれたお宿 静岡県の東部に位置する沼津市は、伊豆半島のちょうど付け根の部分にあたる。日本一高

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Inn surrounded by the nature of Izu Peninsula

Numazu City, located in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture, is just at the base of the Izu Peninsula. Surrounded by Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, and Suruga Bay, the deepest bay in Japan, Numazu is truly a treasure trove of nature. With a mild climate and sunny weather for more than half of the year, Numazu is also a famous tourist spot. A 10-minute drive from Numazu Station brings you to a quiet and peaceful place that makes it hard to believe that it was once an urban area. This is the Numazu Club, the best inn in Numazu.

It is said that in 1907, Zenbe Miwa, the second president of Mitsuwa Soap, leased about 3,000 tsubo of land from Numazu City and designed a beautiful building to hold tea ceremonies for a thousand people. In the fall of 2006, the aging building was renovated and a new wing designed by architect Akira Watanabe was added to the guesthouse to create the “Senbonmatsu Numazu Club The club was rebuilt as the “Senbonmatsu Numazu Club,” a members-only guesthouse.

The Japanese-style wing of Numazu Club, which has a long history, is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, and is a fantastic space that fascinates with the skills of master craftsmen. The interior of the building is a showroom of master craftsmen’s techniques, with a variety of wood species, including Yakusugi cedar, combined to create beautiful patterns with unique carving marks, as well as traditional handcrafted finishes such as the “Naguri finish” and the “Ajiro ceiling” and “Korimen ceiling,” which are made of thin planks of wood woven together. It is currently used as a restaurant and library.

Luxurious time to enjoy Numazu to the fullest

The building facing the Japanese-style building is famous as Akira Watanabe’s last work. The exterior walls are constructed using a technique called “HANZUKURI,” which consists of piling up sand and soil from the Fuji River, and the design incorporates the expression of nature. The roofs are lined with Yoshino cedar, and the grainy cross sections visible from the eaves of the guest rooms are unforgettable. The craftsmanship found throughout the rooms is also not to be missed. Each of the eight guest rooms offers a rich variety, including a maisonette-type room with a bedroom on the second floor, a calm Japanese-style room with a small room on the first floor overlooking the water table, and a Western-style suite with a living room space and separate bed space and a private open-air bath. All of them are comfortable spaces where traditional Japanese tradition and modernity are fused together.

The meals, one of the pleasures of traveling, are modern courses based on Japanese cuisine, such as wagyu beef from Tochigi and fresh seafood directly shipped from Numazu Port, with an emphasis on the awareness of “Hashiri, Shun, and Mezore” (running, seasonal, and lasting). In the historical sukiya-style building, guests are invited to indulge in a variety of carefully selected seasonal dishes. Near the inn, you will find Senbonmatsu Park with its many black pines, a monument to Wakayama Makisui, and a literary monument to Inoue Yasushi. With the course map in hand, it is recommended to take a stroll in the sea breeze while taking a walk in the forest, and to touch the footsteps of the literary figures who loved Numazu so much. We hope you will return to Numazu, where you will find an exquisite inn that will heal both your body and soul.

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Unexplored region Shirakawa “Takefue”

Shirakawa Onsen in Kumamoto is a small collection of onsen located to the north of Aso Kuju Park in Minami Oguni-machi. The water consists two of the three elements known as “bijin senshitsu” or elements creating beauty. Shirakawa water source is also located nearby, one of the top sources of quality spring water, making Shirakawa Onsen a very popular spot.

One of the traditional Japanese style ryokans in the area, Takefue is a hideaway known to very few. 12 guest rooms are scattered about the very large property with tens of thousands of bamboo trees.

The guest rooms are very serene, designed like traditional Japanese homes with different varieties of bamboo used throughout. The color tones and lighting are also carefully chosen to ensure that the view of the beautiful bamboo trees stand out. Bamboo is used for the furniture, décor and even the wine cooler. Every room has a Japanese style room, an “irori” or open hearth for dining, and a uniquely designed hot spring bath that has an expansive view of the bamboo forest. 8 of the independent guest rooms also have outdoor baths where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the bamboo trees.

Takefue also has their own pâtissier who makes the Baumkuchen served as a welcome sweet. The light sweetness and moist texture is a wonderful pairing with the stone ground coffee available in the room.

Dinner is served in the guest rooms by the “irori” and includes bounties from both the ocean and land. Fresh seafood is delivered from Beppu Peninsula and combined with Kumamoto Kuroge Wagyu to create an appetizing Japanese style “kaiseki” course dinner. For breakfast, enjoy rice cooked in a pot, eggs, local delicacy “gojiru” and fish grilled in the “irori”.

Beautiful outdoor bath surrounded by bamboo groves

There are 3 baths that can be reserved for private use as well as a special bath reserved for exclusive use by guests staying in the adjacent villa, Chikujo no Ma. It is a large outdoor bath measuring 7m x 5m with magnificent views of the grand bamboo trees which are lit up at night. Guests can enjoy a thoroughly relaxing moment in this expansive bath which also has a room with speakers and glass light fixtures, or even float in the hot spring using the inflatable boat.

There are special touches scattered all throughout as you wander the halls connecting the guest rooms, hot springs and spa. Enjoy the free ramune drinks or local ice cream which are free to guests. As they check out, guests also receive a complimentary copy of a book about this enduring ryokan along with the Baumkuchen served at arrival. Not only is Takefue a premier hot spring, it is definitely a ryokan that you will want to visit again.

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A hotel in the midst of snow country

Nishiwagi town in Waga ward is located between Kitagami City, Iwate and Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. It is located in the high basin embraced by the Ou Mountains. It is a place surrounded by rich nature covered by wild beech forests and the source of Waga River. It is a genuine ”snow country” that is officially designated by the government for its heavy snowfall, with the average annual snowfall exceeding 10 meters. Due to these severe climatic conditions and the grace of snow, forests, water and living things flourish in the natural state.
Yukawa Onsen which is famous for the abundance of hot spring water, has been cherished by the people of both Akita and Iwate prefectures since the old days, as a retreat for people to gather. ”Yamado” is tucked away in the mountains a little away from this Onsen area, and is a healing resort with the concept of ”retreat” and ”LOHAS (Lifestyles Of Health and Sustainability)” suited for people who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the day to day life, embrace yourself, or spend time with a loved one.

Hospitality of Yamado

Yamado places importance on providing a space that satisfies all of the 6 senses defined in Buddhism. They present everything that can be experienced ”seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching, and consciousness”. The interior of the building expresses ”retreat” and ”LOHAS”, extending a modern space that is in harmony with the surrounding nature where you can feel the warmth of wood. The guestrooms are equipped with semi-outdoor private baths with free-flowing hot springs, and guests may bath whenever they want. Guests can spend time on the terrace or enjoy music in their room.

You can also enjoy select cuisine at the restaurant ”Fukuzenbo”. The signature mountain vegetable and mushroom that the head chef himself picked from the mountain, vegetables that are grown in their own farm, ”Yamado Farm”, and chicken that they raised themselves. They are all cooked to prepare an astonishing cuisine using Platinum pork and Iwate beef.
”There are plenty of delicious ingredients that are at its peak, and ingredients that you can only get at a certain season. We prepare food using traditional techniques, and also techniques that we developed and accumulated over the years, using the natural resources and local ingredients that have been here from the old times.” (Yoshie Kotaka, Yamado)
There are countless ingredients that they recommend but in particular ”nishi warabi”, which is a specialty of Nishi Waga-cho, and other mountain vegetables that melt in your mouth and captivate people.

Enjoying Iwate

”Iwate is a prefecture about the same size as Shikoku which includes 4 prefectures. There are many places to visit such as the coast, south and inland. It is too large to visit in a day. So we recommend taking the time and spending a few days .” (Yoshie Kotaka, Yamado)
When you visit during the winter, you will feel both the quiet world covered in snow and the warmth of the life you live, while in the spring when the snow thaws, you will see the mountain filled with flowers and hear the lively chirping of birds. This is a hotel where you can thoroughly enjoy your visit to Iwate, a place that offers the vast nature and hospitality that will fulfill your 6 senses. You will never tire of the experience, no matter how often you visit.

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An inn in Appi Hachimantai, located in a National Park

”In Appi Hachimantai, snow piles up in the winter. During the early spring thaw you can see the blue sky and remaining snow on top of Mount Iwate and the flowers sprouting. In the summer, the green leaves are alive, and in the season of autumn, the mountains are painted red. You can truly enjoy the four seasons of Japan.” (Ken Saito, Shikikan Saito)
Hachimantai city, Iwate is located one hour north by car from Morioka station. It is designated as Towada Hachimantai National Park that spreads through 3 prefectures, Aomori, Akita and Iwate. In the summer, many plants will bloom in the high altitude, and in the snow deep winter, Appi Hachimantai is also known as one of Japan’s leading ski resorts.
”Shikikan Saito” was opened in 1999 and welcomes all visitors in this rich nature. In 2010 they renewed the establishment. It is an inn with a sophisticated Japanese style building where time passes very slowly.

The comfort of “Danburino Yu”, famous for making beautiful skin

The first thing you will want to do when you first arrive at the inn is to head to the ”onsen”. Spring quality is sodium, calcium and hydrogen carbonate spring. The light alkaline water is soft on the skin, and the sodium bicarbonate content makes the old hard skin softer. The carbonate ingredients soaks through the skin and induces blood flow which makes your body warm. It is understandable that it is called the spring for beautiful skin. It certainly is comforting.

Enjoy delicious cuisine at Shikikan Saito

Shikikan Saito is also famous as an ”Inn for foodies”. They purchase a beef part that is available in only small quantities from Maezawa Beef, which is famous in Iwate. The ingredients are prepared simply, as they seek to serve the dishes at the most delicious moment.
”We are careful to keep the balance between dishes that require a lot of preparation in order to maximize the taste of the ingredients, and dishes that do not need a lot of preparation.” (Ken Saito, Shikikan Saito)

Make the trip “a special day”

The head chef, Minezaki has knowledge and technique for Macrobiotic food, so he can make adjustments for allergies as well as other special dietary needs. In the evening they serve lavish food, and the breakfast buffet is delicious. During the summer, they use home grown vegetables and create each dish with care to bring out the innate color, flavor and taste possessed by the ingredients from Iwate.
You can spend a time away from the hustle and bustle of day to day life, surrounded by beautiful nature and encountering delicious food. Your body and should will be satisfied, allowing you to relish in the ”special day”. The staff’s thoughtful and delicate hospitality also adds to the welcoming nature of this inn.

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Famous “onsen” known as “Kamasaki for healing wounds”

Kamasaki Onsen is located in the south of Miyagi, and has a history of about 600 years, its foundation dating back to 1428. ”Tokine-no-Yado Yunushi Ichijo” is the oldest ”onsen” inn in this area, and the present owner is the 20th generation. The ancestor of the Ichijo family was a samurai who had served the warlord Yoshimoto Imagawa, who fled to this area after he was defeated at the Battle of Okehazama. When he dipped himself in the hot spring water, his wound healed, so he decided to start a watering place. The hot spring is said to be effective for healing wounds, and has long been familiar with the name ”Kamasaki for healing wounds”.
The inn has two sources; one is ”Medicinal Bath of Ou” with the spring water which wells on site containing sodium chloride and sulfates. The other is ”Bath for Beautiful Skin” also called ”Cave Bath”, with cold spring water of 18℃. You can enjoy two different baths from different sources.

Taste the delicacies of Miyagi in the “main wooden building of Yunushi Ichijo”

When visiting ”Tokine-no-Yado Yunushi Ichijo”, you will be drawn to the large wooden building. It is the ”Ichijo Main Building” which is the pride of the hotel. This four storied building was built from Taisho to early Meiji period by carpenters who specialize in building temples and shrines. It is a magnificent piece of Japanese architecture, representing the wisdom and aesthetics of previous generations.
When guests arrive at the hotel, they are escorted to the annex in the forest. There, they can enjoy the ”onsen”, and relax in their guest room. At dinner time, an usher guides them over the ”Bridge of Time” into the Ichijo Main Building, where private dining rooms await.
In this luxurious environment, a traditional Japanese course dinner named ”Cuisine of the Woods” is served. The main dish is grilled ”Sendai beef” of the highest grade meat. Fresh ”Miyagino Pork”, raised locally, is served as delicious ”shabu shabu”. And fresh fish is served as aromatic carpaccio. The local ”sake” and a good selection of wine are also pleasing to the palate.

Like the heroin in a movie

”Our guests are like a heroin in a movie who wanders into ”the Forest of Ichijo”, and is treated to the simple hospitality of Tohoku, impressed by the many little experiences that touch the heart. Our heroin returns to reality in a calm state of mind. We’d like to welcome every guest with such a story in mind.” said Tatsuya Ichijo, the 20th generation head of the family. There is a tranquility that can be felt because it is a small but traditional ”onsen” area. Many guests are repeat visitors, attracted by such charm.
Miyagi Prefecture is full of interesting tourist sites. One can follow the history and cultures of the Date and Katakura clan ”samurai”, enjoy the magnificent nature of Zao and Matsushima, and you can choose from a variety of plans according to each season. ”Tokine-no-Yado Yunushi Ichijo” awaits you in the land of Kamasaki Onsen, and enrich your trip even more.

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Surrounded by the nature of Urabandai

Urabandai is an area located in Northern Fukushima surrounded by Mount Bandai, Mount Adatara and Mount Azuma, has more than 300 marshes and lakes including the famous Goshiki Marsh, and is part of Bandai-Asahi National Park. Located at an altitude of 800 meters, it is a popular tourist site in the Northeastern part of Japan for hiking and leisure in summer, and winter sports in winter.
Hoteli aalto is a mountain lodge that is surrounded by the nature of Urabandai.
The lodge was renovated and opened in 2009 under the concept of ”connecting the Northern European lifestyle that embraces nature with the Japanese love for the homeland”. The large roof symbolizing the lodge takes advantage of its surroundings while also respecting its location in a National Park. Domestic lumber is used for the exterior and the interior uses plaster for maximum beauty and functionality that blends with the environment. Featuring Northern European lifestyle with beautifully designed furniture, the hotel offers a gentle and relaxing ambience.

“Food Treasures” and “Onsen” to relax the body and soul

Located in nature that is beautiful yet also rugged, the warmth of the ”onsen” is quite appealing. Immerse yourself in the serenity of the forest and enjoy the seasonal change as you soak yourself in the flowing hot spring drawn from an on-site source.
Meals are served in the ”Tagokoro Cafe” where locally grown ”food treasures” such as locally grown ”Aizu rice” and vegetables are used for highly nutritious dishes. The ”kaiseki” style dishes have an exquisite balance between Japanese and western essences that has captured the hearts of fans, who repeat visitors.
Hoteli aalto shares the fortunes of nature in Urabandai with its setting, ”onsen” and cuisine. It is a hotel where you can fully enjoy the treasures of Fukushima fused with the ”omotenashi” spirit.

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