HANKYU TRAVEL DMC JAPAN

07.06.2021

NAOSHIMA ART AND HIDDEN INN'S - A DIFFERENT KIND OF VACATION

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1: INTRODUCTION OF ACTIVITY:

--- INTRODUCTION OF A “HIDDEN INN,” SASAYURI ANN

In the age with COVID-19, we wish to travel avoiding crowds and more and more people prefer to stay in a quiet place with less people.
If so, how about spending time in a remote Japanese house?
We would like to introduce a unique inn, Sasayuri Ann, which was built by renovating an old Japanese farmhouse surrounded by rice terraces
and beautiful mountain views in Murou, Nara Prefecture. Sasayuri Ann has 2 villas, “Ozunu” and “Zao”,
and each villa accepts only 1 group (up to 5 ~ 6 people/ villa ) per day. Today, please let us introduce you the villa “Ozunu.” 

Villa “Ozunu” was newly built as brand new thatched-roof house with a traditional-style room.
In the center of the room, a “hearth” was installed as it was in the late Edo period of 200 years ago.
Guests enjoy dishes and warming up putting a fire in the hearth feeling the ancient era.  On the 2nd floor, there is a loft with approx. 16 sq. meters.
If you look down from the loft, you will see the entire hearth room directly below, and when you look up,
the thatched attic approached will be in your eyes with overwhelming power.
Furthermore, the best part of this room is the wide-view window facing the panoramic view of the Stone Garden and sacred mountains.
You will have definitely a great time sitting in front of this great view all day long. If you go to the back of the main house,
you will find a hidden room which has been made in an old storehouse style with two beds in first floor and two/three futon beds in the second floor.

As for meals, it is essentially self-catering, but dishes can be organized with a few days’ notice by local restaurants including a Michelin star restaurant nearby.
In order to enjoy the rich nature and ancient atmosphere, it is recommended to stay for a few nights at this villa.

The owner of Sasayuri Ann offers several activities such as yoga/Zen lessons, farming, local fruit picking excursions, music workshops, tea/flower ceremony,
guided hikes to local waterfalls and so on. Just have fun doing what you like during your stay in the beautiful nature.
One of the attractions of staying at Sasayuri Ann is the interaction with the owner and his wife.
The owner is a master of Shugendo, an ancient Japanese ascetic tradition which means “the way to spiritual power through discipline and training.
As a shaman of Shugendo, he will help you feel Japanese spiritual atmosphere in the great nature through activities and talking.
They will welcome you warmly and it will be a precious opportunity for you to talk with them.

If you would like to arrange a tailor made tour visiting Sasayuri Ann for individual (FIT) clients, we will be pleased to make our suggested itinerary along your interests!

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2: NAOSHIMA TRAVEL BLOG

Hello! This is Shuhei from Hankyu Travel DMC Japan.
Do you know the island called Naoshima?

It is said that there are about 7,000 islands in Japan and Naoshima is known as an island of art which is visited by domestic and overseas tourists. 

After an art project started in Naoshima in 1985, a lot of art works and unique museums were built and that has attracted people.
Not only those who are interested in art, but also those who just want to relax, Naoshima provides a special time which you are able to spend on the island,
escaping from the real life.

When I arrived at Miyaura Port by ferry in Naoshima, one of the symbol of this island, Yayoi Kusama's red pumpkin welcomed me. It is a must photo spot.  
In Naoshima, there are some accommodations, however only one facility working as a so-called hotel.
I took a free shuttle bus from the port and headed for the hotel, Benesse House.
Benesse House is a facility that integrates a museum and a hotel. It consists of four buildings.
Designed by a Japanese architect Tadao Ando, ​​both interior and exterior in each building are filled with his artistic tastes, even in the lobby and corridors.
Hotel residence will be given a ticket for Benesse House Museum so you can enjoy them at the hotel anytime.

What surprised me was that there was no TV in the room.
This is from the hotel’s concept to let you escape from the busy life and spend leisure time without unnecessary things such as daily gadgets.
The hotel also has a nice guest lounge. I read a book and took a nap while having a cup of tea. I felt as if the time had just stopped.

Due to the limited number of restaurants in Naoshima, it is recommended that you have dinner in the hotel.
On the way to the restaurant from the room, I walked through a passage that is allowed for the hotel residents only.
There were also various art works and it looked like a secret museum. 

If you go outside, you can find more photo spots, interesting objects and museums in Naoshima.
One of my recommendations is House Project, which is building arts reusing old private houses in Naoshima.
When the weather is good, cycling would be a nice option for you to enjoy the island too.

If you are interested in travelling to Naoshima, please feel free to get in touch with us. We are more than happy to arrange the tour for you.