Rejuvenate Body and Soul at the Newly Renovated Hatsu Hana in Hakone Yumoto. | TRAVEL
TRAVEL | Hatsu Hana
Savoring the Renovated Hatsu Hana
Text by IJICHI Yasutake
The Concept: "A Quiet Time for Mind and Senses"
Hakone, one of the closest hot spring resorts to Tokyo, is about an 85-minute ride from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Romancecar. This representative hot spring destination boasts the fifth-largest hot spring output in Japan. Hakone has seventeen hot springs: the seven ancient springs (Yumoto, Tōnozawa, Miyanoshita, Dōgashima, Sokokura, Kiga, Ashinoyu) and ten developed after the Meiji era. Yumoto Onsen is known as the oldest of these seventeen, with a history said to date back 1,300 years. Yumoto Onsen is rich in historic sites and cultural assets, with over 40 accommodations.
Hatsu Hana, beloved by many, especially women, for its meticulous hospitality since its opening in 1993 in Yumoto Onsen, reopened after renovations on September 11, 2022. I had the opportunity to experience its concept, "A Quiet Time for Mind and Senses," at a pre-opening trial stay.
Luxury C Type (Crimson)
Luxury C Type (Crimson)
Luxury C Type (Crimson)
Luxury C Type (Crimson)
Premium C Type
Premium C Type
Premium C Type
When choosing a place to stay, the most important factors are likely the "room," "cuisine," and "bath." Firstly, the number of rooms has been reduced from 47 to 35, with most guest rooms expanded. The Japanese-modern rooms are spacious and relaxing, featuring high ceilings and large windows. All rooms are equipped with an open-air bath on the terrace. While some in-room open-air baths can be cramped, Hatsu Hana's are generously sized, allowing you to stretch out. You can leisurely enjoy the private spring water while feeling at one with the surrounding mountains. The clear, smooth water leaves your skin feeling plump and moisturized, melting away fatigue. The in-bath and after-bath amenities are from the organic cosmetic brand "OSAJI," known for its exquisite scents, which is simply wonderful.
The beds are spacious Simmons. The pillows and duvets are filled with a material made from recycled ocean plastic, rather than down, as part of their commitment to sustainability. It's said that a single duvet contributes to reducing ocean plastic waste equivalent to 75 plastic bottles. You might wonder if the comfort is compromised without down, but there's no need to worry. You'll drift into a deep, enveloping sleep. Furthermore, Hatsu Hana is committed to reducing plastic waste by encouraging guests to bring their own amenities and by using thinned wood from Hakone for chopsticks and coasters.
The cuisine is modern kaiseki, a harmonious blend of traditional kaiseki with subtle European influences. You can enjoy it in private dining spaces, such as counter seats in a room bathed in dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, or in fully private, traditional Japanese-style rooms. Each exquisitely beautiful dish evokes a sense of exhilaration. The main dish for dinner, "Tanko" (charcoal-grilled meat), features charcoal-grilled Soshu beef loin, raised freely in the lush nature of Minami Ashigara, served with vegetables from Hadano. The restaurant also offers wine pairings to complement the dishes, allowing you to enjoy a delightful marriage of flavors. Non-alcoholic pairings are also available for those who do not drink.
Breakfast, served in vessels of Hakone's traditional Yosegi-zaiku (parquetry), includes tofu made with Hatsu Hana's own spring water (Japanese breakfast set), showcasing an abundance of local, seasonal ingredients.
Water Surface Bath
River Sound Bath
Public Bath - Bamboo Leaves
Public Bath - Bamboo Leaves
Public Bath - Bamboo Leaves
Beyond the in-room open-air baths, there are two public baths and four reservable private baths, offering a luxurious bathing experience. The two public baths, "Bamboo Leaves" and "Mountain Horizon," are switched between genders daily. As you gaze at the surrounding trees, immersing yourself in the hot springs will bring a sense of peace and purification. The private baths include "River Sound" (Kawato no Yu), an open-air bath where the water surface merges with nature, enveloped by the sounds of the Sukumogawa River; "Silence" (Shijima no Yu), featuring a striking high ceiling and latticed beams reaching up to the fourth floor; "Water Surface" (Minamo no Yu), with a beautiful interplay between the water basin outside the window and the bathtub, accessible even by wheelchair; and "Light" (Akari no Yu), offering a fantastic stone garden and a sense of openness. Each offers a unique ambiance.
Toji Wellness & SPA Mahoromi
Lounge
Lounge
Lounge
In addition to "room," "cuisine," and "bath," the hotel excels in its services and hospitality. This includes "Mahoromi," offering a unique toji (hot spring therapy) experience with original methods that condense a night's worth of therapeutic benefits, and the "Lounge," where you can relax with detox teas or alcoholic beverages, or quench your thirst with water from Ashigara, all while enjoying the calming ambiance of a fireplace after dinner or a bath.
Lush nature, the sounds of birds and insects, the scent of plants, exquisite hot springs, and delicious food. Despite the relaxing, healing escape, you feel as comfortable as if you were at home. The tranquil evening and refreshing morning spent at Hatsu Hana will leave your mind and body completely renewed. We highly recommend experiencing this time and space of superior quality.
