A Japanese Ryokan – Yama No Chaya, Hakone

During my summer in Japan, I escaped from Tokyo for three days and headed into the countryside town of Hakone to enjoy the onsen (Japanese outdoor baths/natural springs), relax and sightsee. I’ve been too busy with school over the last few months to even contemplate writing blog posts but as I prepare for this year’s Asian adventure, Hakone springs to mind.

Located close to the Tonosawa hot springs, Yama No Chaya, which rather aptly means ‘mountain tea house’, is a place of serenity and steaming onsens. In 72 hours, I only saw two people – the receptionist and our joyful hostess, Sawa – who looked after us from start to end. She helped with maps, brought breakfast & supper, served tea and was an absolute delight for the entirety of our Yama No Chaya stay. We stayed in the ‘Asebi‘ suite – spread over two floors with a large patio to relax/sunbathe (though it was too hot even for a sun worshipper like me) and the main floor with a living space, bathroom, bedroom and additional viewing patio with a soaking tub. There was a lovely foot bath as well but apparently, I was too busy relaxing in my yukata (Japanese summer kimono) to take a proper photograph but fortunately, my Instagram feed tells the tale. The water comes directly from the spring and bathing in it left my skin soft and refreshed from the scorching summer heat.

I’m a bona fide city woman; the idea of living anywhere but centrally simply doesn’t appeal but waking up to the sounds of birds chirping and drifting asleep with cicadas screeching at the top of their voices (oh Japanese summer, I miss you!) was lovely. If countryside living means showering outside, the feel of tatami mats on your feet and the sense of being alone in mountains with the calming sound of the Hayakawa (Haya river) gushing by, I may just be converted. Such a memorable experience and most definitely a highlight of Japanese adventure. Food blog post to follow…

Yama No Chaya
171 Tonosawa
Hakone
Kanagawa 250-0315
Japan
81 460-85-5493