Two new properties joined The Ryokan Collection

The Ryokan Collection is the premier consortium of the finest ryokan and unique hotels across Japan. Established in 2004, the company currently manages 30 high-end properties and have welcomed more than 20,000 international affluent travelers to experience the spirit of traditional Japanese hospitality and the uniqueness of Japanese culture and traditions.

The two new beautiful properties, Nakanobo Zuien and Yoshimatsu Hakone, have joined The Ryokan Collection to build awareness of its offerings in the international travel market.

Nakanobo Zuien
In its long history, dating back to the 8th century, the little town of Arima Onsen has seen visitors from all walks of life, from common people to emperors, drawn by the unique and renowned health effects of the hot springs there. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the great daimyo and unifier of Japan, was especially fond of Arima, and went there often from his castle in Kyoto. Located near the city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on the flanks of Mt. Rokko, Arima has been a popular weekend getaway for residents of Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka for well over a thousand years — making it the oldest onsen hot spring resort in Japan.

Amid this venerable legacy sits the ryokan Nakanobu Zui-en, which has been greeting guests for 150 years. With its unsurpassed service and fine cuisine, as well as the high quality of its baths, Nakanobo has over the years become a destination in its own right. Nakanobo’s flexible services cater to its guests’ every need. The ryokan is elderly-friendly, and welcomes overseas guests with multilingual staff always on duty. At Nakanobo, everywhere you look there are beautiful touches of tradition and refined taste, as well as premium hospitality — all designed to help its guests relax and ease them into the calm, tranquil onsen lifestyle.

Yoshimatsu Hakone
The town of Hakone has been a destination for travelers ever since its beginnings as a way station for weary travelers on the Tokaido Road between Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo) during the Heian Period, a thousand years ago. Being a resort town just a quick hop from Tokyo, Hakone sees lots of visitors all year round, but gets especially popular during the busiest seasons, spring (April) and winter (February), when the snow paints a picture of wintry serenity. In a prime position overlooking the town and Lake Ashi, the ryokan Yoshimatsu has been serving honored guests since 1989.

The Yagishita family, including the proprietor Mr Yagishita and the energetic Mrs Yagishita, are committed to following the traditional ryokan lifestyle, in terms of architecture, cuisine, surroundings and of course omotenashi, the friendly, exemplary service that is at the heart of the ryokan experience. They want their guests to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle at Yoshimatsu — staying there is like being transported back to a simpler, quieter time.

On the main gate is an image of Okame, the goddess who watches over carpenters. Mr. Yagishita’s grandfather was a master carpenter who specialized in traditional Japanese buildings, and Yoshimatsu is exclusively permitted to use the Okame image as a trademark of the ryokan.

On clear days, especially in winter (December to the end of march), rooms on the ryokan’s top floor boast lovely views of Mount Fuji rising up over the calm waters of Lake Ashi.
Together with this new and the existing members, The Ryokan Collection continuously seeks opportunities to build even stronger brand awareness of Japanese ryokan and hotels, and offers unforgettable experiences to international luxury travelers.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia