Photo courtesy of Ubaya Onsen

The Japan Times, the most widely read source of English-language news in Japan, recently published an article by contributing writer, Cassandra Lord, on her visit to Yonezawa’s Ubayu Onsen Masugataya.

Photo: Cassandra Lord

Situated some 1,300 meters above sea level and deep in the Azuma mountains, Ubayu Onsen is one of the most renowned ‘hitō (secret)’ onsen hot springs in the whole of Yamagata Prefecture. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the beautiful valley from the hot waters of the secluded open-air baths, as well as sample local seasonal cuisine such as Yonezawa carp, Yonezawa beef, or vegan dishes made with local produce.

Part of what makes hitō so desirable is the rest and relaxation they provide. They are the perfect place for people who want to reexamine themselves in a quiet environment and those seeking nostalgia in the place of a lost hometown.

The short walk up to the entrance of Ubayu Onsen gave me a taste of what was to come. The waters of a stream next to the walkway splashed down over rocks in a series of mini waterfalls, creating misty blue pools along the way. This same misty blue awaited me at the top, in a warm set of rotenburo (outdoor baths).

On entering, the staff were ready and waiting to greet me, carefully placing slippers at my feet and taking my shoes and bags. They guided me to a room: a cozy, Japanese-style space with no frills or extravagant decor — just a window onto the sufficiently extravagant autumn colors.

Before even dipping a toe into the baths, Ubayu Onsen had covered some of the core values of a true hitō.

-Cassandra Lord (The Japan Times)

Photo: Cassandra Lord

Read the full article HERE to learn more about Cassandra’s visit to Ubayu Onsen.

As an avid supporter and partner to Yonezawa, we hope it inspires international residents and visitors looking to experience a different side of Japan to choose Ubayu Onsen as a destination for their next trip!

The post The Japan Times Publishes Article on Yonezawa’s ‘Secret’ Ubayu Onsen appeared first on Jarman International KK.

The main bar (there’s also a self-serve lounge) is a sultry stunner. Behind a 13-meter-long teak counter, a picture window shows Mt. Sengen by day and the illuminated boughs of the garden’s cherry tree by night. The armchairs arranged in pairs along the counter appear like thrones in the dim lighting, each couple well beyond the pool of light cast for its neighbors, creating a curious feeling of privacy. Lounge chairs and banquettes around a marble-ringed fireplace also provide places to canoodle, while the gentle aroma of wood smoke and the softly dancing flames create a soothing ambiance. 

– Jessica Kozuka (Travel + Leisure)

The Travel + Leisure article that features Bar Hotel highlights a range of accommodations in Japan that are reinventing the defintion of a traditional ryokan inn, with a particular focus on serving top-notch original drinks at a chic bar. The article highlights Bar Hotel’s range of drinks, including intriguing creations such as “a boulevardier made with a bourbon washed with Ashigara beef fat and garnished with a charcoal cheese tuile and whitebark magnolia smoke.”

We are very proud and honored to continue to help spread Bar Hotel’s elegant charm to the world. If ever you are in Hakone, just under two hours from Tokyo by train, Bar Hotel awaits.

Read the full article HERE.

The post Bar Hotel Hakone Kazan was featured in one of the most popular travel magazines in the world! (Travel + Leisure) appeared first on Jarman International KK.