We welcomed the day while feeling the dazzling summer sunshine.Izu Nagaoka Onsen Sanyo-soIt's a summer morning. I walk slowly under the shade of the trees towards the breakfast area in the new building. The lush green leaves of the trees soften the strong sunlight, and the deep green of the summer garden is at my feet. The garden, which still showed signs of budding in spring, is now enveloped in vibrant green. I walk along, feeling the breeze blowing through the trees, enjoying a moment on a summer morning. I head to breakfast at Sanyoso, enjoying the refreshing scenery unique to this season.
The new building is surrounded by lush greenery. The neatly arranged openings and horizontally extending lines create a beautiful harmony, and the refined beauty characteristic of sukiya architecture is even more impressive in the summer morning light.
I begin my day in this place, enveloped in light and shadow.
The lobby, enveloped in deep greenery and bathed in soft light, blends seamlessly into the garden landscape.
In the new building, bathed in summer sunlight, the Nishijin-ori fusuma paintings are particularly eye-catching. Unlike their appearance at night, the weave changes depending on the light, revealing a variety of colors and patterns.
This beautiful setting adds a touch of vibrant color to a tranquil Japanese-style space.
The new building incorporates the greenery of the garden through its large windows. Nature and architecture harmonize to create a single, unified landscape, exuding refined beauty and elegance.
We walked down a long, quiet corridor, enjoying the view of the garden with its gently flowing water, and arrived at the breakfast area.
We were greeted with smiles by the waitresses dressed in kimonos and led to the same table where we had dinner.
Greeting the morning while gazing at the garden filled with lush green trees is refreshing in itself, and it feels as if your body is slowly waking up.
"Strawberry Smoothie"
The first thing that arrived was a strawberry smoothie, a welcome start to the day. The sweet and sour taste of strawberries combined with the mellow sweetness of bananas made for a drink that was perfectly suited to the body in the morning.
This time, as is typical of Sanyo-so, a rich Japanese breakfast was served in a bento box that resembled a jewel box. The twelve-part bento box contained egg roll, grated daikon radish, simmered vegetables, kōmiraku (a type of sweet), simmered hijiki seaweed, blanched spinach, grated whitebait, vegetable salad with Hakone West Foothills carrot dressing, sashimi, kamaboko (fish cake), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), pickled wasabi, pickled wasabi stems from Amagi, and salted salmon. It was a delight to be able to enjoy so many different flavors in small portions from the very beginning of the day.
First, let's enjoy a morning smoothie and savor it slowly.
Actually, when I visited in the spring, I fell completely in love with this magnificent twelve-compartment bento box, and when I got home, I bought a nine-compartment version. Now, we use it regularly at home too. Seeing the colorful array of dishes beautifully arranged in this bento box, which holds such sentimental value for me, makes me incredibly happy. Each dish, arranged with vibrant colors, is a simple yet carefully prepared Japanese side dish that cherishes the natural flavors of the ingredients. With different flavors arranged in each small compartment, there's a delight with every bite, making it feel like opening a treasure chest one by one at the breakfast table.
"Rice cooked in a pot"
The "rice cooked in a pot," with each person receiving their own individual pot, is fluffy and glossy when you open the lid, making it impossible to stop eating.
"Omi Tofu's Yudofu (boiled tofu)"
Of all the dishes I tried, the one that left the biggest impression on me was the "Omi Tofu Yudofu" (boiled tofu from Omi). Made with the pure water of Mount Amagi and soybeans from Omi, the tofu has a smooth and rich flavor. When enjoyed with the clear broth, which is concentrated with the umami of clams, you can savor the gentle taste of the tofu itself. Even though it was a summer morning, having such a warm dish served with the meal gave me a comforting feeling of being slowly balanced from the inside out.
"Rice cooked in a pot, miso soup, and fruit"
The breakfast, where we savored each dish made with the bounty of the land and meticulous preparation, was a perfect way to start our trip, a Japanese breakfast that pleased both body and soul.
Unlike last time, when we felt the arrival of spring, this time we see Sanyo-so in summer, enveloped in lush greenery.
After the meal, we enjoyed coffee while heading to the moon-viewing platform bathed in the morning sun.
The trees in the garden, bathed in the summer sun, are full of vitality, and a beautiful interplay of light and shadow spreads throughout the building.
Moon-viewing platform
Unlike the tranquil atmosphere of the night, the moon-viewing platform is bathed in the morning sun and a refreshing breeze blows.
Sitting down and enjoying the quiet morning while gazing at the beautifully manicured garden.
Before you lies a garden of deep green, its colors intensified by the summer sun. Layers of leaves hang over the trees, and beyond them, a clear stream flows quietly.
The only sound you can hear is the gentle murmur of a cool stream. The water flows through the moss-covered rocks, and even the breeze rustling the leaves of the trees seems to linger in the distance. If you stop for a while and listen carefully, you'll find yourself in a state of quiet tranquility.
At Sanyo-so, a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere prevails.
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
