「Hotel Mori no Kaze Hakone SengokuharaA quiet morning awaited us in Room 3107, the "Shikisai Nagomi Western-style Twin Room with Open-Air Bath," a special room where you can spend time with your beloved dog.
Outside the window, the fresh greenery of Sengokuhara stretches out, shining in the early summer sunlight, and the birdsong fills the air with a pleasant sound. In stark contrast to the serene and fantastical scenery of last night, a refreshing morning breeze flows through the building.
After soaking in the hot springs to wake up my body and getting ready, I left my dog, Chocolat, at home and headed to the breakfast area.
Just like last night, I have a reservation at the restaurant "Miyabi" where I had creative Japanese cuisine, starting at 8:00 AM.
The restaurant, which offers a sophisticated and mature atmosphere during dinner, transforms into a calm and warm space in the morning, bathed in soft natural light. The large windows offer expansive views of Hakone's natural beauty, creating a sense of openness that is perfect for starting the day.
Once again, we were shown to the same semi-private room, "Hiiragi," as the previous night. It's nice to be able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast in such a calm setting. A beautifully arranged meal was already laid out before us at our table.
Executive ChefKatsuya SasakiThe Japanese breakfast, reflecting the chef's meticulous attention to detail, features a menu where each dish is designed to gently nourish the body. It's so beautifully presented that you'll want to call it a "morning treat."
A Japanese breakfast that gently awakens your body in the morning.
"Yose-dofu" (soft tofu)
What left the biggest impression on me was the yose-dofu (soft tofu) served in an earthenware pot. The yose-dofu, prepared right at your table, allows you to enjoy the aroma and warmth that only freshly made tofu can offer.
When you gently scoop it up with a spoon, you'll be surprised by its incredibly smooth and fluffy texture. First, to enjoy the taste as it is, take a bite without any condiments. The moment you put it in your mouth, the gentle sweetness and rich flavor inherent in soybeans spread softly, making you smile involuntarily. Next, dip it in the special broth with the accompanying condiments, and the umami of the dashi is added, further enhancing the mellow taste of the tofu. Because it's a dish that carefully allows you to savor the deliciousness of the ingredients themselves, rather than having a flashy seasoning, you can feel the chef's dedication and the depth of Japanese cuisine. It's a deeply flavorful dish that gently soothes your body on a morning awakened by a hot spring bath, and warms your heart as well.
"Boxed platter (first layer)"
The first tier of the two-tiered box contains thick omelet, duck breast, kamaboko (fish cake) from the long-established Odawara shop "Kagosei," and cod roe.
"Boxed platter (second tier)"
The second tier features a beautiful arrangement of tuna simmered in rice bran, burdock root kinpira, stir-fried dishes, pickles, pickled plums, and kelp tsukudani. This Japanese breakfast composition allows you to enjoy a variety of flavors in small portions, and each item pairs perfectly with rice, making you feel luxurious from the very start of the day.
"Fresh Vegetable Dressing"
Our colorful salads, made with fresh vegetables delivered daily from our contracted farmers, are served with dressing.
"Tororo"
Instead of eating grated yam as is, adding dashi broth and carefully mixing it creates a smoother and more refined flavor. The result is grated yam with a delicate aroma of dashi.
Pour plenty of this over beautifully cooked Koshihikari rice from Gotemba, and you'll have a luxurious tororo rice dish.
Today's grilled fish: Grilled horse mackerel
And another unforgettable dish was the grilled fish. On this particular day, the grilled fish was dried horse mackerel. The head chef himself carefully selected the horse mackerel, which was sourced from a dried fish specialty shop in Shizuoka Prefecture. It had a wonderfully plump texture and the perfect amount of salt. The surface was grilled to a fragrant crisp, while the inside was moist and tender, and with every bite, the original deliciousness of the horse mackerel spread in your mouth. It made me want to eat more rice, and my husband enjoyed seconds.
"New harvest Gotemba Koshihikari rice," "Miso soup"
Another great point is that you can have unlimited refills of freshly cooked rice made with new harvest Koshihikari rice from Gotemba and miso soup.
"Fruit Yogurt with Blueberry Sauce"
"Carrot juice and spinach juice"
With its striking, vibrant colors, this drink gently awakens your body in the morning.
The breakfast, showcasing high-quality ingredients and meticulous preparation, was truly heartwarming. Similar to the creative Japanese cuisine I had last night, it's clear that "Miyabi" places great importance on the deliciousness of the broth and the natural flavors of the ingredients.
We ordered after-meal drinks and moved to the terrace seating area, where the breeze was pleasant. This made our breakfast experience even more special. The beautiful scenery of Sengokuhara, with its fresh greenery, unfolded before us, creating an unparalleled moment of bliss.
Coffee after a meal
Enjoy a luxurious time on the terrace, especially during this pleasant time before it gets too hot. A refreshing early summer breeze caresses your cheeks, and the gentle sounds of birdsong and rustling trees reach your ears, providing a truly refreshing experience.
Just holding a coffee cup and gazing at the scenery, I feel a strange sense of calm settling in my mind. It's a moment that reminds me of the richness of "doing nothing," something I often forget in my busy daily life.
A comforting and delicious breakfast, hot springs, and the abundant nature of Hakone—all of these elements harmoniously combine to create a morning that is the epitome of luxury that can only be experienced while traveling. A Japanese breakfast that not only nourishes the body but also soothes the soul allows you to begin your day at a leisurely pace.
Hotel Mori no Kaze Hakone Sengokuhara
Address: 817-444 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0631
TEL: 0120-489-166
https://www.morinokaze-hakone-sengokuhara.com/
