KANNON ONSEN -Article（1）-
| The Izu Peninsula is a unique place in the Japanese archipelago. It is not only a place that invites travelers to enjoy the varied scenery created by the steep mountains that seem to be almost at the edge of the coastline and the mild climate, but it is also a unique tourist destination in Japan, with hot spring areas springing up everywhere on the peninsula. The geography of the peninsula is also unique. This peninsula, which is on the Philippine Sea Plate, moved northward from the southern ocean and joined the Japanese archipelago about 2 million to 1 million years ago. It is said that this plate collided with the Eurasian plate that formed central Japan to form the volcanic belt that continues to the Fuji, Hakone, and Izu Islands. This area, which derives its name from the word "yudezu," or "to flow out from", is a perfect place for the blessings of the earth in the form of hot spring areas to appear on the surface here. Minami-Izu is the place where this atmosphere can be seen most strongly. Shimoda, the center of Minami-Izu, is a port town that has appeared in Japanese history since the end of the Edo period. It is an exotic place colored by the waves of history and the many people who have passed through it, and today it is also the final stop on the Izukyu-Line. Even though it is only 135 kilometers from Tokyo in a straight line, it is a great place to take a train with an excellent view of the coastline, and on weekdays, it is also an exhilarating drive along the coastline. Minami-Izu has many well-known hot spring areas, such as Rendaidera, Shimogamo, Kawazu, and Amagi. Among them, there is one hot spring resort that stands out from the rest. That is Kannon Onsen. The inn was established in 1963. The founder, Mr. Kazumasa Kobayashi, started the business when he acquired an undeveloped mountain forest in Okushimoda. In his dream, the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), whom he believed in, appeared to him and told him to drill a hot spring area here in Yokogawa. He was born in 1914 and managed Takinogawa Taxi, one of the four major cab companies in Tokyo along with Nihon Kotsu, Kokusai Jidosha, and Teito Taxi in the 1960s. He bought a forest four kilometers from the national highway in the Izu-Shimoda suburbs and began developing it, much to the surprise of those around him. He was even told, "It would be suicide to pour your personal funds into this place".... |
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| "Kannon Onsen" surrounded by the deep nature of Okushimoda | |
| However, day after day, they tried drilling and finally succeeded in gushing out hot spring water in 1967. At first, it was supposed to be a welfare facility for the employees of the group companies or a place for Mr. Kazumasa to live in his later years, but the year after the hot spring was drilled (1968), Takinogawa Taxi was transferred to Teito Taxi, and the company began full-scale attempts to commercialize the "Kannon Onsen". Perhaps he wanted to provide the inn's miraculous source of spring water to a large number of customers. |
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| During construction, a five-inch tall statue of the Kannon was unearthed in the ground, which is the origin of the inn's name. The statue was presented to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, as a substitute for the Kannon, which is enshrined in a shrine next to the entrance. In 1972, a new lodging facility was built, and the ryokan was opened as "Hotel Kannon Onsen". |
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| Statue of Kannon at the entrance | |
The "best alkaline hot spring in the East" and the quiet environment, which are acknowledged by both the hotel and its guests, are a paradise for hot spring enthusiasts. The number of repeat guests at the inn steadily increased. At the same time, Mr. Kazumasa opened the Shimoda Business Hotel (now the Shimoda Station Hotel). |
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In 1976, Mr. Kazumasa's own daughter, Mrs. Kazue Suzuki (born in 1948), returned to the area to become the second president of the company. At the time, the older son was 1.5 years old and the younger daughter was only 6 months old. By the way, his father, Mr. Kazumasa, took rent from his daughter Kazue, saying, "Anyone can work for free". This was part of his education in the harsh business environment. After Mr. Kazumasa passed away, Kazue became president in 1988, when she was 40 years old. Since then, she has taken off as an entrepreneur, starting a new real estate company as well as a driving school, which she inherited from her father. |
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In 1997, the company launched body wash and soap using the alkaline spring water. In 1998, the company launched mineral water of Kannon Onsen. Furthermore, in 2001, a PET bottle filling line factory was constructed on the site. |
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| PET bottle factory | |
Chairman Mrs. Kazue Suzuki is still leading the charge as the general manager of the "Takinogawa Automobile Group," but it has not been smooth sailing for the company to expand its business to this point. In particular, no matter how much they have developed, this "Kannon Onsen" is located in the mountains. There were times when the area was stunned by earthquakes and damaged by flash floods. However, Kazue, who fell in love with the area, never gave up. Many ordinary business owners live in Tokyo, where their headquarters are located, and rarely come to the site of their business. But Kazue spends as much time as she can at the "Kannon Onsen", and not only that, she also cultivates and clears the land, and operates a jumbo truck herself. Perhaps it is the DNA inherited from her predecessors that makes her do this.... |
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| Chairman Mrs. Kazue Suzuki, riding on a jumbo to clear the ground by herself | |
KANNON ONSEN Travel Journal
Articles
The Izu Peninsula is a unique place in the Japanese archipelago. It is not only a place that invites travelers to enjoy the varied scenery created by the steep mountains that seem to be almost at the edge of the coastline and the mild climate, but it is also a unique tourist destination in Japan, with hot spring areas springing up everywhere on the peninsula......
Private & Open-air Bath Reports
"Kannon Onsen" is an alkaline simple hot spring that is called "hot water of lotion" and has a very creamy texture. With a pH value of 9.5 to 9.6, it has a unique texture that coats the skin as you soak in the tub, making you feel as smooth as if you were touching silk threads.....
Facilities & Hot Spring Reports
Heading west toward Matsuzaki on Prefectural Route 15 from the outside of Shimoda City, you will be greeted by a peaceful scene of the deep green mountains of Okushimoda.....
Guest Room Reports
There are four lodging facilities at "Kannon Onsen", each of which offers rooms in a Japanese-style setting. There are a total of 55 rooms, including 18 in the new "Pygmalion" building, 16 in the "Honkan" building, 6 in the "Seiunkan" building, and 15 in the "Ubusuna-tei" detached building.....
Cuisine Reports
Meals are basically served at the "Shikisai" dining room on the first floor of the new "Pygmalion" building, no matter which guest room you are staying in. From the center corridor to the left are 44 seats in a horigotatsu-style tatami room. To the right is a large tatami room for guests of the main building.....
Extra Reports
It is not only the hot springs that form this inn. The inn has a system in place that allows it to be self-sufficient in a wide variety of products on the premises. The inn is truly a "local production for local consumption".....
| Keywords for this ryokan | |||
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| Lotion-like hot spring water 100% free-flowing | |||
| An authentic spa resort for beauty and health | |||
| One of the largest private open-air baths in Japan | |||
| Almost all guest rooms have free-flowing hot spring | |||
| Hot spring water with many fans among actresses and celebrities |
| Check-In | 3:00 p.m. | ||
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| Check-Out | 10:00 a.m. | ||
| Card usage | Allowed (VISA・JCB・American Express・Diner's Club・UC・DC・NICOS・UFJ Card・Master Card・LIFE・Rakuten KC・ANA・JAL・Debit Cards) | ||
| Room Views | Mountain | ||
| In-room Meal | Some yes Only available for those staying in the new Pygmalion building for an additional fee. |
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| Dinner | Kaiseki meals cooked with spring water | ||
| Breakfast | Japanese cuisine using home-grown tomatoes etc. | ||
| Special Packages | Main building package with 1 night and 2 meals, Seiunkan building package with 1 night and 2 meals, etc. Check the Official Website for details★ | ||
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| "Ubusuna-tei" detached building Connecting rooms with open-air bath and footbath ★Renovated in May 2022. Pets are allowed. |
From 29,000 yen "Room 505" approx. 7.5 tatami mats room + twin beds + open-air bath with free-flowing hot spring water + footbath + shower and toilet (Capacity: 2 to 4 persons) |
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| "Seiunkan building" With hinoki bath, Type B |
From 19,950 yen 12 tatami mats room + veranda + hinoki bath + T (Capacity: 2 to 4 persons) |
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| Main building | From 23,250 yen 8 tatami mats room + tatami matted veranda + hinoki bath + T (capacity for 2 to 4 persons) |
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| "Pygmalion" Standard room |
From 34,000 yen 10 tatami mats room + veranda (3 tatami mats) + half-open-air bath + T (capacity: 2 to 5 persons) |
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| Establishment / Reconstruction | Established: 1967 / Reconstructed: 2005 and 2010 | ||
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| Number of Rooms | All 55 rooms (With open-air bath, 32 rooms) | ||
| Number of People Accommodated | 260 persons | ||
| Private bath | "Kannon Principle": Luxurious private bathhouse equipped with indoor bath (high and low temperature), jacuzzi, open-air bath, footbath, and sauna. Charges : For overnight guests 50 minutes / 4,800 yen, tax included (per bath) Usage time: 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. How to reserve: In advance (at the time of accommodation reservation) or at the time of check-in Bath views: Mountains |
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| Public baths and others | Men's and women's large public bath "Galatea": Luxurious large public bath equipped with open-air bath, all-cypress indoor bath, hot spring pool, American spa, sauna, etc. Usage time: 16:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. the next morning (Guests staying overnight) "Ubusuna-tei" also has large baths with separate open-air baths for men and women. |
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| Parking Area | 50 cars | ||
| Pets | Allowed (2,000 yen per night / tax not include "Ubusuna-tei" guest rooms only, up to one small dog) | ||
| Barrier Free | Supported (Slope in front of the entrance/ Wheelchair-accessible guest rooms/ Barrier-free toilets/ Handrails on stairs and corridors/ Handrails in guest room toilets and bathrooms/ ※The contents of barrier-free facilities and the range of services that can be provided vary depending on the accommodation.) | ||
| Esthetics / Massages | Esthetics not available Massage 40 min / 5,000 yen (tax included) |
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| Internet | Main building lobby and Pygmalion lobby are wireless LAN-enabled | ||
| DVD | DVD not available | ||
| TV Channels | NHK: 2 stations, Private Broadcasting: 4 stations, NHKBS: 2 stations | ||
| Facilities | Banquet hall, karaoke room, lounge, coffee shop, sales shop, gymnasium, martial arts hall, boxing gym, private vegetable garden, helipad | ||
| Refrigerator System | Pygmalion: Declare only what you use (space for drinks you bring in is available) Other rooms: Automatic calculator with switch (no space for drinks to be brought in) Freezer: Can use 660 yen for a medium beer and 220 yen for juice (oolong tea, etc.) |
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| Vending Machine | Available (150 yen), No ice cream | ||
| Sales shop | Available | ||
| Yukata | ◎ | Bath towels | ◎ |
| Towels | ◎ | Soap | ◎ |
| Body wash | ◎ | Shampoo | ◎ |
| Conditioner | ◎ | Rinse in shampoo | ◎ |
| Shower cap | ◎ | Toothbrush | ◎ |
| Hair dryer | ◎ | Brush | ◎ |
| Comb | ◎ | Razor blade | ◎ |
| Cotton bud | ◎ | Toilet with washer | ◎ |
| Wheelchair | Free rental wheelchair | ||
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| Child | Children's slippers / Children's yukata / Children's tableware | ||
| Foreign Languages | English, Thai | ||
| Recommended Souvenirs | Original cosmetic goods, drinking hot springs, etc. | ||
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| Nearby Convenience Store | 15 min. by car | ||
| Cellular Antennas | ◎docomo | △au | ◎softbank |
| Charges | Weekdays Adults: 1,300 yen (children 700 yen) / Members: 1,000 yen (children 500 yen) Saturday, Sunday, Holidays Adults: 1,500 yen (children 800 yen) / Members: 1,200 yen (children 600 yen) |
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| Usage time | Weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last admission at 3:00 p.m.) Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:00 p.m.) ※Please allow approximately one hour for usage. ※Meal included package (by reservation only) |
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| Spring quality | Alkaline Simple hot spring (Hypotonic, Alkaline, Hyperthermal Springs) ※There are three sources of spring, but currently in operation are ① No.1 source and ② No.3 source, and they are the same spring quality. |
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| Temperature of the source | ① 51℃, ② 42.6℃ | ||
| Output rate | ① 230 liters /per min, ② 250 liters/per min | ||
| Hydrogen ions | ① pH9.5, ② pH9.6 | ||
| Total dissolved substances (excluding gases) | － | ||
| Gushing of the source | Power spring (source pumped by boring) with private source | ||
| Add water / Circulation Filtration | The American Spa at "Galatea", a large public bath for men and women, uses a combination of free-flowing spring water and a circulation filtration system (with sterilization). All other baths are 100% free-flowing spring water with no added water. ※The indoor bath is partially a hot water storage system. |
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| Water heating | Yes (During winter season, etc.) | ||
| Sterilization of bath | Only the American Spa at "Galatea", a large public bath for men and women, is sterilized with chlorine. | ||
| Replacement of hot water in bathtub | Once per day (all bathtubs) | ||
| Bath Additive | No using | ||
| Indications by Spring Quality (Revised on July 1, 2014) | Autonomic instability, Insomnia, Depression | ||
| General Indications for Bathing (Revised on July 1, 2014) | Chronic pain or stiffness of muscles or joints (chronic phase of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains, etc.), muscle stiffness in motor paralysis, excessive sensitivity to cold, peripheral nerve disorder, decline of gastrointestinal function (slow digestion, intestinal gas formation, etc.), mild high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance (diabetes), mild hypercholesterolemia, mild asthma or emphysema, hemorrhoid pain, autonomic instability, various symptoms from stress (sleep disorders, depression, etc.),convalescence stage of illness, recovery from fatigue, promotion of health. | ||
| Color of hot water | Clear and colorless | ||
| For drinking | Drinkable | ||
| Indications for drinking | Gastrointestinal system, Constipation, etc. (from the inn's official website) | ||
| Smell / Taste | Tasteless and odorless | ||
| By Train | Izukyu Line "Shimoda Station", 25 minutes by shuttle bus | ||
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| Shuttle bus | Yes | ||
| By Car | From Tomei Expressway "Numazu IC", 120 minutes via Amagitoge Pass, Kawazu, and Shimosagano. | ||
| Nearby Sightseeing Spots | Shimoda Aquarium, Shimoda History Museum, Iwashina School, Ryosenji Temple, Shimoda Ropeway | ||
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| Recreation (tourist farms, parks, etc.) | Ocean Nature Camp, Beach Yoga | ||
| Sports | － | ||
| Staff messages |  Message from Kazue Suzuki, ChairmanWe have been maintaining and managing the natural resource of hot springs with a "Heart of Consideration" to be of service to as many people as possible. The renovation work that we have been doing in response to our customers' requests has now come to an end. From now on, we will continue to work more closely with the local community to please our customers and also who have a real taste for the real thing. |
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| Date of Interview | Jul. 19, 2011 | ||
| Date of Information update | Oct. 16, 2023 | ||
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※When making a reservation, please mention that you saw "kashikiri-onsen.com" |
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Article creator of this ryokan
CEO of Onsen.com Co.,Ltd.
For more than 30 years, he has been visiting hot spring ryokans all over Japan, persuading innkeepers of the need for "private baths". He is still a traveler who spends half of the year at a hot spring.In addition to being a article creater, photographer, and drone pilot, he also designs websites and provides consulting services.
