A renowned inn quietly nestled in the Izu-Nagaoka areaIzu Nagaoka Onsen Sanyo-soSanyo-so was built in the early Showa period as a villa for businessman Hisaya Iwasaki, and its garden was designed by Jihei Ogawa VII, one of Kyoto's leading landscape architects. This garden, created by a master of modern Japanese gardens, still quietly soothes the hearts of visitors. I had heard that Sanyo-so's Japanese garden was magnificent, so I was excitedly looking forward to the moment I stepped through its gates and took my first step inside.
The main building, built in the sukiya style, stands quietly in harmony with the garden, conveying the understated elegance of Japanese architecture through the warmth of the wood and its delicate design. The "Oimatsu Guest Room," formerly used as a guest room during the time when it was the villa of Hisaya Iwasaki, is a neat, single-story building with a hipped roof. It is characterized by its open design, with verandas on three sides overlooking the garden, and in spring, cherry blossoms gather around it, creating a beautiful contrast between the imposing roof and the pale colors of the flowers.
As you walk through the garden, the elegant roofs of "Matsukaze" and "Kogō" emerge from between the trees, their beautiful hip-and-gable roofs blending into the sky, revealing how these historically significant buildings quietly resonate with the garden. You can slowly walk along the stepping stones, imagining the scenery that unfolds beyond the veranda. In this landscape where the garden and architecture blend together, you can reflect on the era that once breathed life into this place.
Spread throughout the grounds is a strolling-style Japanese garden centered around a pond. Gentle, curving paths, spring sunlight reflected on the water's surface, and young leaves swaying in the breeze—from the moment you step inside, you can feel time slowly unfolding.
The luxurious design incorporates the natural terrain, with buildings gently scattered throughout. The way the buildings are positioned, in harmony with the rhythm of the land, quietly conveys the richness unique to this place.
Nestled within a small shrine carved into the rock face, the stone Buddha stands quietly. Placed to blend seamlessly with the natural rock, its form harmonizes with the garden landscape, silently watching over this place.
We walked along the stepping stones, crossed the bridge, and stood side by side, gazing at the same scenery, as time passed peacefully. Our 14 years together are still just beginning in the history of this garden. But continuing to take small but steady steps, quietly and steadily—that choice felt like the richest thing of all.
The gnarled, massive Japanese red pine tree, bearing the marks of countless years, stretches its branches powerfully towards the sky. Gently supported by stakes, its bark seems to continue living quietly.
One by one, the delicate white plum blossoms open, and the soft white light shining on the dignified tips of the branches adds a touch of elegance to the quiet garden, like a small light gently announcing the arrival of spring.
As you slowly ascend the slope leading to the back of the garden, a gazebo will eventually come into view. Standing there, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the grounds and truly appreciate the expansive beauty of the entire garden.
The grounds of "Sanyo-so" span 139,738.00 square meters (approximately 44,000 tsubo), of which about 3,000 tsubo is occupied by a Japanese garden. The moment you step through the gate, the grandeur is not just a number, but something you experience firsthand. The scenery, where the garden and architecture blend together seamlessly, unfolds like "another world" separated from everyday life.
The early-blooming cherry blossoms gently extend their branches, peeking out modestly from the garden landscape, their pale, budding colors softly blending into the deep green, as if announcing the arrival of spring.
This garden, with its flawless beauty from every angle, quietly tells the story of the value of "negative space."
Lanterns stand around the pond, and trees create a gentle undulation in their height. The overlapping branches and leaves create depth in the view, making the scenery even richer and more three-dimensional.
The gently sloping paths naturally guide your gaze to the next view, and before you know it, you're letting yourself be carried along by the flow of the scenery.
After taking my time to stroll through the garden, a quiet sense of contentment, beyond words, gently spread through my heart. I felt the richness of simply being in nature and walking slowly, and as I took a deep breath, the tension in my shoulders eased, and the very act of being here transformed into a feeling of peace.
My steps were light as I left the garden, yet a gentle, lingering feeling quietly continued to burn deep within my heart.
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
