Nestled in the gentle foothills of Izu-Nagaoka, surrounded by a Japanese garden spanning approximately 3,000 tsubo (about 10,000 square meters)Izu Nagaoka Onsen Sanyo-soThis is a renowned inn steeped in history and unwavering prestige, where the stay itself becomes the main attraction of the journey.
For our 14th wedding anniversary, which is also our ivory anniversary, we chose this renowned inn as the place to celebrate this milestone.
A modern sukiya-style building as envisioned by architect Togo Murano (New Building)
Built in 1929 (Showa 4), the main building of Sanyoso was constructed as a villa for Hisaya Iwasaki, the eldest son of Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of the former Mitsubishi zaibatsu. Standing in the center of a Japanese garden designed by the renowned Kyoto landscape architect Jihei Ogawa, the building is a refined sukiya-style Japanese structure. Its greatest appeal lies in the beautiful spatial composition in which the garden and the architecture are integrated. The garden's scenery conveys the charm of yesteryear, and traditional design breathes life into every detail. Sanyoso continues to fascinate architecture lovers and discerning travelers alike as a place where one can experience Japanese aesthetics and elegance.
These buildings, which have been carefully preserved and passed down through generations, are highly valued for their historical significance, and in June 2017, the main building and several other buildings were designated as registered tangible cultural properties of Japan.
In addition to the dignified style of the historic main building, the new building, which opened in 1988, was designed by the architectural master Togo Murano. Murano, a recipient of the Order of Culture, skillfully incorporated the natural environment of "Sanyo-so" while composing the space in a soft, sukiya-style architecture. The design, which flows seamlessly from the corridors to the guest rooms, is imbued with delicate design details throughout. Its appearance, which respects tradition while being open to the modern age, quietly tells the story of how the aesthetic sense of Japanese architecture continues to evolve.
No matter where you look inside the building, you'll find a meticulously maintained garden, a place where the subtle presence of the changing seasons gently accompanies you.
The Nishijin-ori fusuma paintings in the new building are truly breathtaking. The deep colors and intricate designs woven from silk threads bring a sense of elegance to the tranquil space. They subtly shimmer with each passing light, possessing a three-dimensional depth despite being two-dimensional.
It's not merely decorative; it's a work of art where traditional Japanese techniques and architectural beauty resonate together.
I stopped in my tracks as I looked at the hotel map displayed in the corridor of the new building, and my anticipation for the stay ahead suddenly rose. The neatly drawn floor plan showed the main building, the new building, the annex, and the vast gardens arranged in a relaxed manner, creating an expansive feel like a small town. As I gazed at the way the connecting corridors linked the buildings and the scattered ponds and groves of trees, I could sense just how luxurious the spatial composition of this inn was. The sheer scale of it made me naturally wonder, "How far shall I walk today?" The floor plan was not merely a guide, but a blueprint for the time I was about to spend exploring. It felt like a prologue that quietly liberated my mind into the unique world of "Sanyo-so."
At the end of the path, a modest gate appears, leading to the Japanese garden and the main building. The silence is so profound that even the sound of footsteps on the stone pavement seems to be absorbed. Moss-covered garden stones and well-maintained pine trees gently welcome visitors. Beyond lies a special realm where only hotel guests are permitted to enter. An atmosphere far removed from the hustle and bustle permeates the air, and even the flow of time seems to slow down.
The old pine tree room reflecting spring (Main building, guest room wing, Old Pine Tree)
The main building, built in the sukiya style, stands quietly in harmony with the garden, and the warmth of the wood and delicate design convey the understated elegance unique to Japanese architecture. The "Oimatsu Guest Room," which was once used as a guest room when it was the villa of Hisaya Iwasaki, is a neat, single-story building with a hipped roof, featuring a twelve-tatami mat room and an adjoining room. It is characterized by its open sukiya-style design, with verandas on three sides offering views of the garden. In spring, cherry blossoms gently embrace its presence, and the contrast between the heavy roof lines and the softly swaying petals is beautiful, adding a gentle seasonal touch to this historic building.
The living room and study, both of which exude tranquility (Main building, Matsukaze and Kogō)
The current "Matsukaze" and "Kogō" rooms, formerly used as living rooms and a study during the time when they were the villa of Hisaya Iwasaki, are single-story buildings that extend in a staggered pattern from the northeast corner of the central building, with their elegant hip-and-gable roofs being particularly striking. Inside, there is a 10-tatami room, an 8-tatami room adjoining room, and another 8-tatami room connected by an anteroom, with verandas on three sides guiding the view toward the garden. The 10-tatami room features a raised floor made from a single plank of pine, making it a space with particularly exquisite design even within the main building. A sense of elegance permeates the quietness, and one can feel the weight of time spent contemplating by its former owner.
Seasonal gardens that reflect Kyoto's aesthetic sensibilities
The garden is designed as a strolling garden, with a pond and stream at its center. As you walk, the scenery changes, with cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, irises in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and plum blossoms and winter cherry blossoms adding vibrant colors. The flowers and plants of each season unfold before your eyes like a picture scroll.
Here, even just strolling around, you can feel the changing seasons and the passage of time with your whole body, and the beauty of the "space" created by the Japanese garden is truly an extraordinary experience.
I think I'll take a leisurely walk in the crisp, clean air early the next morning when there are no people around.
In the garden, where the air still lingers a little cool in the mornings and evenings, the plum blossoms were gently opening. The pale petals softly received the sunlight, and each time they swayed in the breeze, they exuded a fragile quality, as if they might spill off at any moment. The white blossoms that quietly resided at the tips of the branches did not bloom in a showy manner, but rather announced the arrival of the season with a dignified presence. In the silence of the large garden, the plum blossoms did not loudly assert themselves, but simply by being there, they gently conveyed the signs of spring.
"Fujiuraha," a special detached cottage where you can stay with your beloved dog.
Our theme is a trip to Japan with our beloved dog, Chocolat. This time, we'll be staying in a special detached cottage called "FUJINOURABA".
The separate building, Fujiuraha, consists of only two rooms, "Sakae 309" and "Hana 310," and is exclusively for guests traveling with their dogs.
The living room serves as a shared space connecting the two rooms, Sakae and Hana.
The concept of the detached building, as its name "~Wanzu Hanare~" suggests, is that it is a separate building where you and your beloved dog can relax to your heart's content.
Each guest room has its own private courtyard, creating a luxurious and tranquil private space.
This is a rare room type that allows you to enjoy the luxury of a hot spring inn while bringing your pet with you.
The courtyard is a special place where your dog can freely wander around.
Each guest room is equipped with a free-flowing hot spring bath, and the greatest appeal is the sense of privacy you can enjoy while bathing with a view of the seasonal garden right in front of you.
In the tranquil silence, undisturbed by anyone, you can cuddle with your beloved dog and take a deep breath. This gentle flow of time is a luxurious experience unique to this inn.
"Nurture history, nurture the heart, and cultivate beauty."
The name "Sanyo" embodies the number "three," and it represents three aspects of "nourishment" that I experienced. Touching upon the aged architecture and surrendering myself to the atmosphere of the garden—all of these gently awakened sensations I hadn't noticed in my hectic daily life. I will now slowly unravel the memories of beauty reflected in these three aspects of "nourishment."
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
