This spring, to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary, the Ivory Anniversary, they visited...Izu Nagaoka Onsen Sanyo-so". I was captivated by the historic architecture and the beauty of the gardens, and this summer I revisited the place that made me want to come back in a different season. The previous article wasHerePlease take a look.
This trip is a celebration of my husband's 50th birthday. To mark this significant milestone in his life, we chose this special inn as our destination. The pale cherry blossom-pink garden we saw in spring has transformed into a deep green in midsummer, making it feel like we've visited a completely different world, even though it's the same place. From the moment we arrived, we truly appreciated the luxury of revisiting this place in a different season.
Upon arriving at Sanyo-so, we were greeted by the vibrant green of the trees, made even more vivid by the summer sun.
When I visited in the spring, I saw young leaves that were yet to sprout, but by summer, the garden has grown into a rich gradient of green, creating deep shadows that envelop the entire grounds.
Despite the intense summer sun, the air felt strangely calm. The shade cast by the trees was pleasant, and my steps towards the annex naturally slowed. The garden trees, having stood for many years, have quietly watched over the history of this place. Their presence exuded a certain dignity, yet they seemed to gently welcome visitors.
This time, we'll be staying in the same detached room, "Fujiuraha," as last time. It's a popular room that combines the elegance and tranquility characteristic of Sanyoso while allowing guests to stay with their dogs. With only two such rooms, the detached rooms are set back a little from the main building and the new building, providing a special space where you can enjoy an even quieter time.
A stone-paved approach quietly winds its way into the depths of the garden, enveloped in lush greenery. The covered walkway, enclosed by a low roof and earthen walls, gently connects the garden outside with the building, creating an atmosphere that feels as if you are being invited into another world. Even the strong summer sun is blocked here by the shade of the leaves, making it feel cool and refreshing. As you proceed along this quiet approach, listening to the sounds of cicadas and rustling leaves, you will arrive at your accommodation for this stay, "Fujiuraha." Rather than welcoming you with ostentation, it deliberately leads you into tranquility. This understated presence reflects the aesthetic sense of Japanese architecture that is characteristic of Sanyoso.
Stepping through the entrance, you are greeted by an earthen floor that feels unlike the typical guest rooms of a hot spring inn, reminiscent of visiting a historic mansion. Raising a step from the earthen floor, a lustrous wooden floor stretches into the distance, bathed in soft light filtering through shoji screens. Playful design touches are evident throughout, such as the pillars made from logs, the gently curving walls, and the woven bamboo ceiling, creating an air of undeniable elegance. Not overly formal, yet with a distinct sense of Japanese architectural aesthetics, Fujiuraha is a space that quietly heightens anticipation for your stay from the moment you step inside.
The pet stroller in the earthen floor area is provided for dogs staying in the two rooms. You can take your dog for a stroll in the eye-catching Mercedes-Benz stroller and explore the vast Japanese garden together.
The detached cottages are limited to just two rooms, "Sakae 309" and "Hana 310," both of which are exclusively for guests traveling with their dogs. The living room serves as a shared space connecting the two detached cottages. This area was originally used as a tea room and holds a special charm within Fujiuraha. The garden that stretches out before it was once a pond, and it was used as a place to welcome guests while enjoying the picturesque waterscape. While retaining traces of its past as a place to entertain guests through the tea ceremony, it now serves as a living room where guests can relax comfortably.
As you immerse yourself in this historic space and gaze upon the garden, you realize that this is not merely a guest room, but a part of the long and rich history of "Sanyo-so."
The room to the right of the entrance is the Hana no Ma (Flower Room), and the room to the left is the Sakae no Ma (Prosperity Room).
This time, I'll be staying in the Sakae Room, located at the back on the left. I requested this room because both rooms were available when I made the reservation.
As I opened the door and stepped inside, I felt a sense of comfort that comes from being a returning visit, and a small joy at being able to spend time in this room again.
This spacious room, exceeding 76 square meters, features a traditional Japanese layout with the main room serving as the living room and the adjoining room as the bedroom. Stepping into the expansive tatami room, the warmth of the wood and the soft light filtering through the shoji screens create a tranquil atmosphere, naturally allowing you to relax. The gentle feel of the tatami underfoot is also comforting, allowing you to fully enjoy the tranquility unique to a Japanese inn where you remove your shoes.
The space feels spacious yet is never ostentatious, with a design that values open space. By incorporating the greenery of the garden as a borrowed landscape, and by drawing in light, wind, and even tranquility, it evokes the beauty of a traditional Japanese home.
At Sanyo-so, you check in directly in your detached guest room. The comfort of completing the procedures in your own private space, rather than in the lobby, is a unique aspect of this inn's hospitality. You confirm the times for dinner and breakfast, submit the necessary documents for bringing your dog (rabies vaccination and other vaccinations), sign the forms, and you're done.
Beyond the window, a deep green expanse stretches across the courtyard. Bathed in summer sunlight, the garden is lush and vibrant, giving you a sense of openness as if you were in nature, even while staying in your room. It's a time when your mind slowly unwinds from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The sounds of cicadas, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the occasional chirping of birds—the summer garden is filled with the sounds of the season.
Chocolat seems to remember the arrival of spring, and as if she understands her place, she can be seen relaxing at a leisurely pace.
A space where the sounds unique to summer intertwine, yet strangely, a sense of tranquility prevails. Without worrying about the time, without making any plans, simply gazing at the greenery—perhaps this "time to do nothing" is the greatest luxury at Sanyoso. Having fallen in love with this inn in spring, I have now encountered its summer beauty. With each changing season, the same garden and the same guest rooms at Sanyoso reveal entirely different stories.
During this stay, the refrigerator in the room is also included in the all-inclusive package. I saved the champagne I brought with me for after my bath, and first grabbed a cold beer to toast to my husband's 50th birthday. "Happy Birthday." The quiet time, with only our voices echoing, felt like a luxury. Outside the window was a garden lush with summer greenery, and the view as I sipped my drink was like a beautiful Japanese painting. Following our spring anniversary, I was especially happy that, on this special day, we could enjoy a peaceful time rather than something flashy.
Our summer trip to Sanyo-so, marking my husband's 50th birthday, begins slowly from here.
Izu Nagaoka Onsen Sanyo-so
Address: 270 Tamegami, Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture 410-2204
TEL: 055-947-1111
https://www.seibuprince.com/ja/sanyo-so-ryokan
