Asaba Ryokan

Asaba Ryokan

Izu, Chubu
5.0
9.6/10 Guest Rating
Private BathKaiseki DiningCultural HeritageGreat for CouplesLuxury
$$$

Room Types

12

Established

1484

Water

Hot Spring

Private

In-Room Onsen

About

One of Japan's most esteemed ryokans, Asaba has been in the same family for over 500 years since 1484. A Relais & Châteaux member property in the historic hot spring town of Shuzenji, it is renowned for its floating Noh stage (Gekkeiden), exquisite kaiseki cuisine, and 12 individually designed rooms — each with a private KOYAMAKI cypress wood bath fed by natural hot spring water.

Ideal For

Couples celebrating special occasionsCultural enthusiasts and JapanophilesLuxury travelers seeking authentic traditional experiencesHoneymoonsAnniversary trips

Key Experiences

1Watch traditional Noh, Kyogen, or Bunraku performances on the floating Gekkeiden stage
2Soak in your private KOYAMAKI cypress wood bath with natural hot spring water
3Savor seasonal multi-course kaiseki dinner served in-room
Stroll the nearly 2,000-meter garden with nighttime illumination
Relax in the outdoor open-air bath surrounded by bamboo groves
Experience traditional Japanese hospitality passed down over 500 years
Visit the Hitotoki Healing & Therapy Room for Eastern-Western wellness treatments

Room Types

Hagi Suite

109m²Garden

Corner suite with refreshing views of greenery in summer and vivid fall colors.

  • Corner room
  • Oval KOYAMAKI wooden bathtub
  • Seasonal garden views
  • 1st floor

Asagi Suite

111m²Noh stage and pond

Suite with separate bedroom and Japanese-style sitting room with views of the Noh stage and pond.

  • Separate bedroom
  • Japanese-style sitting room
  • Square KOYAMAKI wooden bathtub
  • 2nd floor

Moegi Suite

152m²Noh stage and pond

The most spacious suite room with separate bedroom, Japanese-style sitting room, and writing desk.

  • Separate bedroom
  • Japanese-style sitting room
  • Writing desk
  • Oval KOYAMAKI wooden tub
  • 2nd floor

Villa Tenko

220m²Garden

Detached villa with private tatami corridor and 2 custom Queen beds. The most spacious and private accommodation, accepting children of any age.

  • Private tatami corridor
  • 2 custom Queen beds
  • Outdoor TOWADAISHI stone tub
  • Indoor KOYAMAKI pine wooden tub
  • Garden view
  • 1st floor detached

Dodan Deluxe

80m²Garden

Deluxe room with separate bedroom and Japanese-style sitting room with garden views.

  • Separate bedroom
  • Japanese-style sitting room
  • Square KOYAMAKI wooden bathtub
  • 2nd floor

Fuji Superior

61m²Garden and pond

Beautiful room in a shaded setting, facing the pond and garden with cherry blossom views in spring.

  • Cherry blossom views in spring
  • Square KOYAMAKI wooden bathtub
  • Custom-made futon
  • 1st floor

Ugetsu Deluxe

89m²Noh stage and pond

Deluxe room with separate tatami bedroom and Japanese-style sitting room overlooking the Noh stage.

  • Separate tatami bedroom
  • Japanese-style sitting room
  • Oval KOYAMAKI wooden bathtub
  • Custom-made futon
  • 1st floor

Hagoromo Suite

126m²Noh stage and pond

Suite with separate bedroom, Japanese-style sitting room, and terrace overlooking the Noh stage and pond.

  • Separate bedroom
  • Japanese-style sitting room
  • Terrace
  • Square KOYAMAKI half-open air bath
  • Noh stage and pond view

Kocho Superior

52m²Noh stage and pond

Intimate room on the 1st floor directly in front of the traditional Noh stage.

  • Front-row Noh stage view
  • Square KOYAMAKI wooden bathtub
  • Custom-made futon
  • 1st floor

Nadeshiko Deluxe

97m²Garden

Spacious corner suite with separate tatami bedroom and Japanese-style sitting room.

  • Corner suite
  • Separate tatami bedroom
  • Japanese-style sitting room
  • Square KOYAMAKI wooden bathtub
  • 2nd floor

Yamabuki Superior

49m²Garden

The most intimate room with separate bedroom and Japanese-style sitting room with seasonal views.

  • Separate bedroom
  • Japanese-style sitting room
  • Square KOYAMAKI wooden bathtub
  • Custom-made futon
  • 2nd floor

Matsukaze Superior

71m²Noh stage and pond

Purely Japanese-style superior room in front of the traditional Noh stage on the 2nd floor.

  • Pure Japanese style
  • Square KOYAMAKI wooden bathtub
  • Custom-made futon
  • 2nd floor

Onsen & Baths

Spring Type

Simple alkaline hot spring (Shuzenji Onsen)

Private Baths

  • Indoor KOYAMAKI cypress wood tub (in every room)
  • Outdoor TOWADAISHI stone tub (Villa Tenko)
  • Half-open air KOYAMAKI bath (Hagoromo Suite)

Duration: Unlimited — in-room baths available 24 hours

Indoor Baths

  • Gender-separated indoor bath made of KOYAMAKI cypress wood with healing cedar scent

Outdoor Baths

  • Gender-separated outdoor open-air bath surrounded by bamboo groves
Water Temperature:Natural hot spring temperature
NeuralgiaMuscle painJoint painFrozen shoulderGeneral fatigue recoverySkin conditioning
  • Shower and wash thoroughly before entering any shared bath
  • No swimwear in shared baths
  • Tie long hair up to keep it out of the water
  • Do not bring towels into shared bath water
  • 2 complimentary private rental indoor baths available on first-come basis

Dining

In-room kaiseki dinner

In-room breakfast

Breakfast: Served in-room (morning)
Dinner: Served in-room (evening)

Specialty Dishes

Multi-course kaiseki dinner with hyper-local seasonal ingredientsCutlass fish consommé (early spring)Red sea bream grilled over binchotan charcoal (midsummer)Matsutake mushrooms with river yam (autumn)Fresh sashimi from local fishermenDelicate seasonal tempuraRice polished just hours before cookingKuzu jelly with mountain plum and mugwort ice cream with honey (dessert)

Dietary Options

Vegetarian options available with advance noticeAllergies accommodated with advance notice

Required — notify at time of booking

Amenities

Premium

The Salon lounge with complimentary coffee, tea, and alcoholic beveragesHitotoki Healing & Therapy RoomNearly 2,000m garden with nighttime illuminationFloating Noh stage cultural performancesWedding and event facilities
Private KOYAMAKI cypress wood hot spring bath in every roomTatami flooringShoji sliding doorsYukata and slippersIn-room safeFlat screen televisionWireless internetHumidifierTowels
Flat-rate taxi to/from Shuzenji Station (¥2,800–¥5,750)Flat-rate taxi to/from Mishima Station (¥12,000–¥15,000)Helicopter transfer from Tokyo (contact property)

Best Times to Visit

Current Season

Spring (Mar–May)

  • Cherry blossoms visible from Fuji room and gardens
  • Spring kaiseki featuring cutlass fish consommé
  • Mild weather perfect for garden strolls
  • Peak season — book months in advance
  • Higher rates during cherry blossom season

Summer (Jun–Aug)

  • Lush green bamboo groves around outdoor bath
  • Summer kaiseki with red sea bream grilled over binchotan
  • Refreshing open-air bathing
  • Hot and humid — outdoor bath best enjoyed morning/evening
  • Popular season for domestic travelers

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

  • Stunning fall foliage from Hagi room and garden
  • Autumn kaiseki featuring matsutake mushrooms
  • Noh performances amid autumn colors
  • Peak season alongside spring — book well ahead

Winter (Dec–Feb)

  • Peaceful atmosphere with fewer visitors
  • Hot spring bathing most satisfying in cold weather
  • Winter kaiseki with hearty seasonal ingredients
  • Nighttime garden illumination
  • Cold temperatures — outdoor bath contrast is part of the experience
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Local Knowledge

Insider Tips

Hidden Gems

  • The Salon lounge (open 6AM–11:30AM, 2:30PM–11PM) serves complimentary coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages
  • The Hitotoki Healing & Therapy Room combines yoga philosophy with Eastern and Western medicine

Two complimentary private rental baths available on a first-come basis — no reservation needed

Cherry blossom views from the Fuji room in spring

The rice for kaiseki is polished just hours before cooking

Must-Try Experiences

  • Seasonal Noh performance on the floating Gekkeiden stage
  • In-room kaiseki dinner with locally sourced ingredients

Outdoor onsen bath among the bamboo groves

Morning coffee at The Salon lounge overlooking the garden

Experience Tips

  • Visit The Salon early morning (opens 6AM) for coffee with garden views
  • Try the rental private baths in addition to your in-room bath — they are complimentary and first-come

Walk to nearby Shuzenji Temple and Bamboo Forest Path

Ask about current seasonal performances on the Noh stage

Allow time to simply sit and watch the pond from your room

Cultural Notes

  • Asaba is one of Japan's most prestigious ryokans, consistently ranked among the top in the country
  • The Gekkeiden Noh stage was originally owned by the Maeda family of the Kaga Domain

Relais & Châteaux member — one of few ryokans with this distinction

The Asaba Cultural Journey has presented master performances for over 40 years

Service philosophy: attentive but never overbearing

Ready to experience it yourself?

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Practical Information

Stay Details

Recommended Stay

2 nights recommended to fully experience kaiseki dining, onsen bathing, cultural performances, and garden walks

Getting There

  • Limited Express Odoriko from Tokyo Station to Shuzenji Station (~120 min), then 7 min taxi
  • Shinkansen from Tokyo to Mishima (~45 min), Izu Hakone Railway to Shuzenji (~35 min), then 7 min taxi
  • Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Mishima (~130 min), then local rail + taxi
  • By car: Numazu IC via Izu Jukan Road (~40-50 min)
  • Free parking for 15 cars
  • Flat-rate taxi available (Shuzenji Station: ¥2,800-¥5,750)
  • No complimentary shuttle service

Before You Go

Dietary Options

Vegetarian options available with advance noticeAllergies accommodated with advance notice

Required — notify at time of booking

Booking Tips

  • Book well in advance — Asaba is one of Japan's most sought-after ryokans
  • Specify room preference: Noh stage view vs garden view
  • Children under 7 only accepted in Villa Tenko
  • Notify dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Price includes dinner and breakfast (1 night = 1 dinner + 1 breakfast)
  • Price range: ¥84,900–¥319,200 per guest per night

Preparation Tips

  • Learn basic onsen etiquette before arrival
  • Pack light — yukata and slippers provided
  • Bring minimal toiletries as high-quality amenities are supplied
  • Check seasonal Noh performance schedule in advance
  • No smoking in any room

Price Range

$$$

Premium — one of Japan's most exclusive ryokans, pricing reflects 500+ years of heritage, Relais & Châteaux membership, and exceptional kaiseki dining

Best price guarantee
No booking fees
Free cancellation available
Popular this season — cherry blossom views
9.6/10 Guest Rating
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Quick Facts

Nearest Station

Shuzenji Station (Izu Hakone Railway)

Distance7 minutes by taxi
ParkingAvailable

History

Founded in 1484 by Yakuro Yukitada Asaba, who established the lodging while serving as keeper of a Soto sect Buddhist temple in Shuzenji. The property has remained within the Asaba family for over 500 years. The Noh stage (Gekkeiden) was relocated from Tokyo during the late Meiji period and has hosted the "Asaba Cultural Journey" for over 40 years. A member of Relais & Châteaux. Eight rooms in the main building were newly renovated and reopened in January 2025.

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