Hoshino Resort’s “Kai” brand of hot spring inns opened “Kai Yufuin” (No. 398 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture) in Yufuin Onsen, Oita Prefecture, on August 3.
The concept is “an inn where you can rest in a terraced rice field calendar. The name “Oita” is derived from “great rice field,” and the area is associated with rice fields and terraced rice paddies. By placing the terraced rice paddies at the center of the inn, the seasonal changes can be seen in the water mirror before rice planting, the lush fresh greenery just after rice planting, the golden color of the richly harvested ears of rice, and the straw cudgels in late autumn, making the inn a hot spring resort that reflects the changing seasons. The facility was designed by architect Kengo Kuma.
There are six types of guest rooms in total, all of which are “Hotarukago no Ma” rooms, which are local rooms. Inspired by the “firefly cages” with their distinctive spiral shape, the lighting uses the rare Nanashima rush grown on Kunitachi Peninsula in Oita Prefecture. The lightings are inspired by the fireflies living in the clear waters of Yufuin, and the pale light flashes as if the fireflies are alive inside the basket. In addition, bamboo is used for the headboard and sofa.
The large baths offer a view of Mt. Yufudake changing colors with seasonal flowers and autumn leaves. In the indoor bath, there are two bathtubs, one for “hot water” with free-flowing hot-spring water and the other for “lukewarm water” for a leisurely soak. In the open-air bath, you can see Mt. Yufudake, also known as Bungo Fuji, right in front of you. The quality of the spring water is simple hot spring.
Dinner is served in a semi-private dining room, where you can enjoy wild boar meat, badger meat, and other wild mountain bounty.
In the “GOTOCHIRAKU” program, which allows visitors to experience local culture, they can try their hand at making good luck charms by “straw twisting,” a handicraft done during the off-season in the farming season in Yufuin. The rope, which is made by twisting straw together, is said to represent the shape of a prayer, since it is made by joining hands. The straw is twisted together by hand, and decorations such as ears of rice and mizuhiki are added at the end to complete the process.
Room rates start at 35,000 yen per night.
© Source travel watch