KANNON ONSEN -Article（3）-
| Chairman Kazue Suzuki says that she never asks others for their management opinions, but she incorporates the opinions of customers one after another. This is also typical of her field-oriented approach. By interacting directly with customers, she senses their direct reactions and immediately puts them into practice. She recognizes that even a single customer's request is valuable, and has responded to it. That is why this inn is always changing with the times. According to Kazue, "There is nothing more gratifying than a customer's complaint. When we are able to respond to them, it gives us new pleasure". The inn is also actively involved in efforts to create an environment that is friendly to the earth, such as by generating its own electricity. The inn is equipped with three solar power generation systems, which generate a total of 60kw (kilowatts) of electricity. This is equivalent to one-third of the electricity used in the entire inn. However, compared to the cost incurred, it would have been cheaper to buy electricity. |
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| PET bottle factories and greenhouses equipped with private power generation systems | |
However, we believe that it is also necessary for ryokan that are blessed with hot springs to be fully aware of the importance of the global environment and to engage in environmentally friendly activities. Since the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, the world has been shouting loudly about the importance of renewable energy, but "Kannon Onsen" had already begun to secure environmentally friendly energy that coexists with nature one step ahead of that. The company is growing vegetables and other crops in its greenhouses using electricity generated by its own power plant. The inn is truly making full use of the bounty of the earth. The regular guests of "Kannon Onsen" must be looking forward to seeing the improvement and evolution of this inn. The inn has "miraculous hot water. To begin with, the number of ryokan that operate with 100% hot spring water from the source, such as "Kannon Onsen," is much smaller than one might think. Even here in Japan, a country known as a hot spring powerhouse, fewer than 10% of the inns in Japan use 100% natural hot spring water, with no circulation or filtration equipment. The issue of hot water quantity, sanitary issues, source temperature...various hurdles are involved. |
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In order to accommodate the national love of hot springs and to accommodate hot spring trips, which are considered a staple of travel, many lodging facilities and hot spring areas have mobilized all of their modern technology to drill for hot springs. It is extremely rare to find a hot spring like this inn, which has three private hot spring sources, an abundant supply of hot water, near-optimal water temperature, and excellent spring quality. |
| "Kannon Onsen," which feels like velvet | |
"Kannon Onsen" offers not only the benefits of the hot spring itself, but also the much-anticipated benefits of a change of location. Although located in Minami-Izu, not far from the Tokyo area, the inn's location is like a paradise nestled in a quiet mountainous area without a soul. Unspoiled nature coexists with the inn, so much so that the "mori-aogaeru (green tree frog)," a natural treasure, inhabits the inn. Needless to say, it is essential for human beings to refresh themselves mentally. |
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The sounds of the wind, running water, and wild birds can be heard, allowing you to slowly come face to face with the richness of nature. It will be a luxurious time, like facing oneself. Up to now, "Kannon Onsen" has not spent huge amounts of money on advertising. |
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Those who stayed at the inn for some reason or another became captivated by the hot spring and either returned or told others in the area about it. It is a very rare inn that has become well known through word-of-mouth communication. The alkaline hot spring with a pH of 9.5 or higher, but with super soft water, is a rarity not only in Japan but also in the world. |
The inn appears to be an authentic spa resort, similar to those found in European recreation and hot spring areas. It is not a touristy hot spring area as has been seen in other parts of Japan, but a genuine, authentic, hot spring resort facility. The current "Kannon Onsen" may in fact be the closest thing to this. It is a place for adults, for those who care about beauty and health, and for those who love hot springs. What is important is that they carefully protect the hot spring water, which is the main attraction. And that you can take in hot spring water not only for bathing but also for drinking. The facility that operates these facilities well is made possible by the unwavering policy of the owner, Chairman Kazue Suzuki. She and her successors will no doubt continue to protect the miraculous hot spring. And they will continue to build a long history. "Kannon Onsen" is no longer the name of an inn, but the name of a place. It is certain that this inn (facility) is now an asset that this country must leave to the next generation. (Jin) |
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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.
