A creative 2-day-1-night stay at Hoshino Resorts KAI Sengokuhara
Sengokuhara in Hakone is filled with unparalleled natural beauty, such as marshlands that remind us of the vast lakes that once covered the area, and sooty grasslands that turn the mountain surface golden in autumn. The beautiful environment has attracted artists and is now an artistic area dotted with numerous ateliers and museums. Hot spring ryokan "KAI" Sengokuhara is a hot spring ryokan where you can experience the culture and climate typical of Sengokuhara. Prior to the opening of the ryokan, an "Artist in Residence" program was held, inviting international artists to stay at the ryokan and create their works while staying there. The stay at the ryokan, which is decorated with the art created by the artists, awakens the guests' inner desire for creativity and allows them to experience the joy of expression through their own creative experiences.
Before and after your stay, you can visit some of the finest art museums in Japan and enjoy a sophisticated lunch.
Points of the model course
- Taste Art and Delicacies at the Lalique Museum of Fine Arts Hakone
- Tantalize your taste buds with Anago Sushi, the signature dish at a famous local restaurant
- A Craft Experience to Stimulate the Artistic Soul
Day 1
Gotemba I.C
Approx. 22 min. by car (approx. 30 min. from Hakone Exit I.C. by car)
10:00 Pola Museum of Art
Collection of about 10,000 pieces ranging from impressionist paintings to contemporary art
Claude Monet "Waterlilies Pond" (1899) Oil on canvas, 88.6 x 91.9 cm (Lent by Pola Museum of Art)
The modern building is located in the forest of Sengokuhara, slightly off Route 138. It houses an impressive collection of Western and Japanese paintings, contemporary art, Oriental ceramics, glass artifacts, and cosmetic tools collected by Tsuneji Suzuki, the second generation of POLA's founding family. Visitors will have the opportunity to encounter masterpieces by Monet, the greatest Impressionist master in Japan, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, Fujita, and others.
The concept of the museum is "the symbiosis of nature and art in Hakone. The exterior of the museum is designed to match the height of the ground level with the surrounding trees, and most of the building is located underground. A "forest walking trail" has been established in the surrounding area, where visitors can enjoy the nature typical of the highlands along with the outdoor sculptures scattered throughout the area.
- POLA ART MUSEUM
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1285 Kozukayama, Sengokuhara, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
Open daily (closed temporarily for exhibition changes)
Adults 2,200 yen, college and high school students 1,700 yen, junior high school students and younger free
0460-84-2111
5 min. by car
13:30 Hakone Lalique Art Museum
Enter the world of the graceful brilliance of René Lalique, a master of jewelry and glass art
About 230 works from the collection of approximately 1,500 works are always on display and introduced.
Passing through the courtyard with its beautiful natural forest and plantings, visitors will enter the museum of René Lalique, a French craftsman with a worldwide fan base who ran through the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Lalique's works range from delicate and original jewelry, which was highly favored by celebrities of the time, to glass crafts such as perfume bottles and vases, which he devoted himself to making in later years, and elegant interior decorations such as the Orient Express, which illustrate the breadth of his talents. The museum traces the history of the artist's life, from his upbringing to his popular breakthrough at the 1900 Paris World's Fair, which adds depth to the dazzling collection. The museum also holds changing exhibits and special exhibitions from time to time, so you will find something new and fascinating every time you visit.
- Hakone Lalique Art Museum
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186-1 Sengokuhara, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
Museum 9:00-16:00
Restaurant 11:00-17:00
Every 3rd Thursday of the month (except August, when the museum is open every day)
Temporary closing due to exhibition changes, etc.
Adults 1,500 yen, High school and university students, 65 years old and over 1,300 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 800 yen
Hakone
Approx. 3 min. by car
Sengokuhara Susuki Meadow
A panorama of golden Japanese pampas grass, a typical autumnal scene in Hakone
A promenade traverses the meadow, which is crowded with tourists during the season.
This scenic spot has been selected as one of the "Top 50 Scenic Spots in Kanagawa" and "Top 100 Flowers in Kanagawa. The silver-colored ears of Japanese pampas grass at the beginning of autumn turn to gold as autumn deepens. The way the ears ripple in the wind as it blows across the meadow is well worth seeing. The meadow is full of ups and downs, and the hilltop where you can see the whole area is a great spot to take commemorative photos with the shining field of pampas grass in the background. If you look far into the distance, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the green marshland in harmony with the outer rim of the mountain, including Mount Kintoki, which is popular among hikers.
- Sengokuhara Susuki Meadow
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Sengokuhara, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
0460-85-5700(Hakone Town Tourist Information Center)
Approximately 2 minutes by car (4 minutes from Hakone Lalique Museum of Art)
15:00 Hoshino Resorts KAI Sengokuhara
Atelier hot spring ryokan where you can meet your inner desire for expression
All rooms at this hot spring ryokan with outdoor hot spring baths are nestled in the magnificent nature of the Sengokuhara Plateau at an altitude of approximately 700 meters above sea level. The interior of the ryokan is decorated with art in a casually elaborate design, and the lobby has an atelier library that resembles an art room. You can enjoy a creative stay that naturally stimulates your desire for expression.
Recommended Guest rooms: Main building Sengokuhara Atelier Room Japanese-style room with Outdoor hot spring
All rooms at Hoshino Resorts KAI Sengokuhara are luxurious, with large windows and terraces overlooking the natural beauty of Sengokuhara, as well as a hot spring outdoor hot spring. Paintings by domestic and international artists and glass objects by local glass artists add color to the high quality and simple interior.
16:00 Atelier Library
KAI Cultural Discovery" to enjoy painting and coloring on a tenugui towel
Experience art at the "Atelier Library" adjacent to the lobby. An art room-like space decorated with colorful pigments and paintbrushes
Original tenugui hand towels dyed by Mitsuko Ogura, a stencil dyeing artist, are available for guests to create their own unique piece by freely adding their own colors. You can choose your favorite design from several types, including Hakone's inn towns, wild birds, and flowers. The easy-to-follow video will satisfy your desire to express yourself.
3 times of 4:00PM~/5:30PM~/7:00PM~.
17:30 Dinner at Dining Area
KAI Local Flavors" where sumptuous ingredients and beautiful dishes create an artistic harmony
The "Hourakuzuri," a dish of eight slices of food and sashimi, is served in tinware reminiscent of the volcanic fumes of Owakudani, and other art-like vessels are also worthy of attention.
Starting with the "instant smoked salmon" with an amazing presentation that evokes the image of the volcanic fumes of Owakudani (Owakudani Valley), to the sumptuous hot pot using a broth with the flavor of sea urchins and prawns, there are many dishes that can be enjoyed with all five senses, including aroma, sound, and color, not to mention taste. You can enjoy the world view of "KAI Hoshino Resorts KAI Sengokuhara" in a delicious way.
19:00 Outdoor hot spring in Guest room
Guest room Outdoor hot springs where you can have the cloudy hot spring all to yourself, which changes depending on the day
Outdoor hot springs attached to Guest rooms allow you to enjoy hot springs whenever you like, and the natural breeze on the terrace makes for an exquisite stay.
The hot spring at Hoshino Resorts KAI Sengokuhara is an acidic sulfate/chloride hot spring with a pH of 2.0 drawn from Owakudani. The water is slightly cloudy and sprays of hot spring water, and your skin will feel smooth after a short time of bathing. In addition to Guest rooms, there is a Public hot spring in the bathing building down a museum-like escalator, where you can enjoy "hot" and "lukewarm" hot spring baths.
22:00 Guest room
Online sake brewery tours with a comparison of beautiful local sake
Seto Sake Brewery, a local Odawara company, offers a wide variety of sake brands. You can choose three of your favorites from a list carefully selected by the Staff/staff member.
This chic Experience menu allows visitors to actually enjoy a comparison of three types of local sake while watching the "Online Sake Brewery Tour," which was covered onsite by Staff/staff members. You can rediscover new sake charms, such as one made with yeast extracted from hydrangea flowers and another type that is delicious even when mixed with soda water.
Open from 15:00 to 22:00 (subject to change depending on the day)
2,000 yen (with 3 kinds of snacks)
Day 2
07:00 Sengokuhara Susuki Meadow and surrounding area
A vigorous power walk, breathing in the morning air of the highlands
It takes about 15 to 20 minutes one way to the Susuki-sohara. The view of the morning sun rising from the edge of Mt. Daigatake and shining on the meadow is divine!
After waking up, take a morning walk to the Susuki meadow with a sightseeing map of the area in hand. Walking with large thighs while being conscious of "breathing in through the nose and breathing out through the mouth," you will improve your lung function and immune system. The view of the meadow and marshland in the morning mist and the chirping of Japanese bush warblers will give you a refreshing start to the day.
08:00 Breakfast at Dining Area
Local breakfast of tsukune imo steaks and Odawara kamaboko
Dinner and breakfast are served in a semi-private Dining Area. The interior design, inspired by an inn town, invites a sense of travel.
Hot tsukune imo (sweet potato) steaks sizzling in an iron pan. It is more resilient and filling than it looks, and you will be impressed by the nourishing local flavor. Odawara's specialty kamaboko (fish cake) is served in "shukubamachi style" basketware, and the breakfast is also full of rich creativity.
12:00 Check-out
Approximately 2 minutes by car
12:15 Hakone Sushi
Soft and fluffy conger eel sushi with an exquisite original sauce
Anago sushi" for 2,600 yen. Includes miso soup with button shrimps, sweet shrimps, etc. (contents change daily).
A famous sushi restaurant is within walking distance from the hotel. It is popular for its delicious sushi, even though it is located in Sengokuhara surrounded by mountains. The signature dish, "Anago Sushi," is a mouthwatering dish with soft and fluffy conger eel and a dark-colored claw. The conger eel is carefully selected from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, and other famous regions, and it takes half a day to carefully prepare and cook the conger eel. The sauce is made by boiling down the conger eel in its own broth with soy sauce and sangon sugar, and the aroma of the yuzu peel sprinkled on top goes perfectly with it. In addition to conger eel, you can enjoy nigiri and chirashi made with fresh fish that the owner buys from Numazu Port every morning, as well as other seafood dishes that change daily. Reservations are recommended, as many days there is a long line from the time the restaurant opens.
- Hakone Hakone Sushi
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817 Sengokuhara, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
11:30-15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 17:00-21:00 (L.O. 20:30) * May close earlier in winter
Mondays, Tuesdays (open during peak seasons such as New Year's, GW, Bon holidays, etc., closed on later days), and national holidays must be confirmed.
0460-84-7890
10 min. by car
13:10 Hakone Craft House (in Gora Park)
Various Art Experiences at the Atelier in the beautiful garden
Pottery Painting Experience Studio "Potterie" where the display of tools stimulates creative thoughts.
Gora Park is famous for its well-maintained gardens and flowers that spread across the sloping terrain. Hakone Craft House, located just to the left of the park's main gate, offers a variety of craft experiences. There are many experiences available, such as pottery making by hand or with an electric potter's wheel, glass blowing, and tonbo dama (glass beads) with colors and patterns of your choice. Pottery painting," in which unglazed pottery is painted or stamped with special paints, has been attracting attention in recent years, and all courses offer detailed support from dedicated craftspeople.
Inside the building is Komamonoya Hakone, which sells traditional Hakone crafts, artists' works, and original sundries, where you can find stylish souvenirs.
- Hakone Craft House
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Gora Park, 1300 Gora, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
10:00-17:00 (Hours differ for each Experience)
Open from 9:30 a.m. during the season and consecutive holidays.
Open all year round (may be closed for maintenance or due to inclement weather)
Admission: 650 yen for Gora Park, free for elementary school students and younger
Experience fees: vary for each course, so please check the website.
0460-82-9210
Age groups are different for each course, so please check the website.
Approximately 2 minutes by car
14:30 Sculpture Forest Museum
An open-air art museum where about 120 artworks blend into the Hakone landscape
Japan's first open-air museum, opened in 1969
The museum is located near the Hakone Tozan Railway's "Hakone Sculpture Forest" station, down the mountain from "Gora Park". The vast 70,000 m2 site is dotted with works by famous Japanese and foreign sculptors such as Rodin, Taro Okamoto, and Henry Moore. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of other masterpieces representing modern and contemporary art close at hand, and be overwhelmed by the richness of expression and sense of scale. Visitors can take advantage of the natural undulations and enjoy a pleasant stroll while appreciating art beautifully blended into the greenery.
In addition to the open-air sculptures, the museum also offers a full range of indoor exhibition spaces such as the "Picasso Pavilion," restaurants, cafes, and a museum store, allowing visitors to experience a space and a moment filled with creativity.
- The Hakone Open-Air Museum
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1121 Ninohira, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
No holidays
Adults 2,000 yen, college and high school students 1,600 yen, junior high and elementary school students 800 yen
Discounts are available for advance purchase of web tickets.
0460-82-1161



