A project celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Crown's birth, "47ROADS BY CROWN." This initiative selects "Japan's roads to be proud of worldwide" from all 47 prefectures and proposes enriching travel experiences with the Crown. As part of this, the second installment of "THE EMOTIVE JOURNEYS," a driving program for the general public visiting carefully selected hotels nationwide that share an innovative and challenging DNA, was held.

 

This time, as an experiential report, we started from "THE CROWN Tokyo Toranomon," a dedicated Crown dealership opened at the historic site in Toranomon, Tokyo, where the first-generation Crown was unveiled in 1955. We drove approximately 120 km in the Crown Estate to "Itsukiri," a luxury villa nestled in the satoyama of Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture. We traced a blissful experience woven by the winding roads of Boso, colored by autumn leaves, and local gastronomy.

 

A Journey Begins at the Sacred Ground

The staff here are not mere sales representatives but are called "Crown Consultants." They do not just talk about car specs; they engage with each customer's lifestyle to curate a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a Crown. This special place, with only six locations nationwide, also serves as a nexus for the Crown community.

 

At the wheel for this drive was the Crown Estate. Among the 16th generation Crown's four body variations, this model excels at harmonizing high-level comfort for long-distance travel with driving pleasure.

 

Leaving "THE CROWN Tokyo Toranomon," we entered the Shuto Expressway from Shiba Park and crossed the Rainbow Bridge. As the Tokyo Bay scenery unfolded below, the refined ride quality of the Crown Estate began to feel familiar.

 

We proceeded along the Tokyo Bay route towards Yokohama, and then onto the Aqua-Line. It was on this approximately 15 km stretch, combining an undersea tunnel and a sea-crossing highway, that the car's true capabilities became apparent. Particularly impressive was its response to crosswinds. While encountering strong crosswinds on the sea-bound section of the Aqua-Line, the Crown Estate maintained its course without deviation, driving straight and stable. This unwavering straight-line stability provides a sense of mental ease during high-speed cruising.

 

Simultaneously, the cabin remained remarkably serene. Wind noise and road noise were skillfully suppressed, maintaining a cabin atmosphere akin to a high-quality lounge.

 

 

After passing through the Tateyama Expressway, the original plan was to drive on Prefectural Road 88, Futtsu-Tateyama Line, which runs through the inland Boso Peninsula and is recommended by Chiba Prefecture for "47ROADS BY CROWN." However, it was the peak of the late autumn foliage season. We decided to change the route to "Momiji Road," where we could better appreciate the natural colors.

 

Prefectural Road 182, commonly known as "Momiji Road," extends along the Komagawa River. This road, stretching for about 10 km, is renowned as one of the prefecture's premier autumn foliage spots. The scenery, with approximately 1,000 maple trees in full bloom, is truly a gift of late autumn.

 

Here, we experienced another facet of the Crown Estate's appeal: its precise handling. The car faithfully traced the lines envisioned by the driver. This sense of unity evoked a joy in driving itself, transcending mere transportation.

Exiting Momiji Road and heading east on local roads, we eventually reached the Pacific coast of the Boso Peninsula. We made a brief stop at the coast of Kisarazu, listening to the gentle sound of the Pacific waves and reflecting on the journey so far. Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city, passing through the autumn foliage of the mountains, and arriving at the seaside – this diverse route condensed the varied expressions of Japan as an island nation.

 

Following the Sotobo Kuroshio Line, National Route 128, we arrived in Isumi City. As the sun began to dip towards the west, we reached our destination, "Itsukiri."

 

 

An auberge villa with a total of 20 units, nestled as if embraced by the green of the satoyama. The name "Itsukiri" embodies the philosophy of nurturing mind and body through five elements: "village, food, lodging, hot springs, and recreation."

 

 

Although only a 90-minute drive from the city center, this place offered a space where the very flow of time felt different. In early summer, fireflies dance here, and in autumn, golden rice stalks sway in the wind. The original landscapes deeply etched in the memories of the Japanese people truly breathe here.

 

 

After checking in, we were guided to our private villa. The spacious area, exceeding 70 square meters, harmoniously blends modern sophistication with Japanese essence. Most notably, each villa features an open-air natural hot spring bath.

 

We immediately sank into the bath. Before us lay the satoyama scenery, and the distant chirping of birds could be heard. The black hot spring water, said to be a rare type known for its skin-beautifying properties, springs forth from this land. Recalling the approximately 120 km journey with the Crown Estate, we surrendered ourselves to the blessings of the hot spring. The fatigue of the drive seemed to melt away.

 

As dusk settled, one of the highlights of our stay, dinner, arrived. The restaurant "San" is led by Chef Ai Kimura, a native of Isumi City. After training at renowned establishments such as "Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo," and honing her skills at the celebrated French restaurant "Cheval de Hyotan" since 2012, she has been the chef at "Itsukiri" since 2024, creating dishes that highlight the flavors of her hometown, Isumi.

 

Chef Kimura presents true local gastronomy. Natural eel from the Isumi River, fresh fish landed at the local fishing port, game hunted by nearby hunters, and organic vegetables meticulously cultivated by contract farmers. She identifies the essence of these ingredients and approaches them with the most suitable techniques.

 

The course served was an experience beyond mere fine dining. It was a succession of special moments tied to time and place – "moments that can only be savored here, and only now." With each dish, the story of this land seemed to unfold.

 

 

After the meal, we returned to the villa. Lighting the wood-burning stove in the room, the flickering flames warmed every corner. Leaning back on the cushions, a glass in hand, we reflected on the day.

 

The "innovation and challenge" DNA that the Crown brand has preserved for 70 years is not simply about incorporating new technology, but about continuously proposing values that are a step ahead of the times. "Itsukiri," which we visited this time, felt like a place with the same spirit, blending modern comfort while preserving traditional Japanese values.

 

The program name "47ROADS BY CROWN -THE EMOTIVE JOURNEYS-" signifies an emotionally moving travel experience. In an era where efficiency and speed are prioritized, we deliberately take our time to travel and savor the process itself. The quiet and comfortable interior of the Crown Estate, its precise handling, and stable ride exist to maximize such "richness of travel."

 

The next morning, the everyday scenery of the satoyama unfolded outside the window. After checking out, we photographed the Crown Estate around the villa. The car, nestled amidst the satoyama landscape of fields and farmhouses – a scene that could be described as Japan's original scenery – was a sight never to be seen in the city.

 

 

This journey began at the birthplace of the Crown and led to Japan's original landscape. What kind of scenes and regions will we encounter next? The discoveries to be made by driving with the Crown have only just begun.