HAKONE GINYU Travel Journal

In his twenties, before joining the inn, Akihiro worked for a travel agency.
At that time, he encountered resort hotels in Bali.
He was impressed by the style and hospitality of the hotels, which were a perfect fusion of the unique Balinese culture in harmony with nature and the sophisticated culture of the West.
Also, there was a new discovery.
Japanese ryokans are so well-lit that it is bright everywhere, even at night.
However, at a hotel in Bali, which blends into the beautiful nature, there was a strange sense of comfort in the dimly lit space with only candles after the sun had set.
He also noticed the kind of service that is not about doing as the customer says or imposing, but about maintaining just the right distance and being comfortable with the customer.

When the inn was renovated in 2002, the concept was clearly defined.
It was not an inn that would be popular with everyone, that would be acceptable to any clientele, or that could accommodate group tours, but rather, basically, an inn for two people.
The idea was to create an inn where people could entrust their important moments, such as anniversaries and milestones in their lives.
The conditions for this were also in place.
In front of the inn, there was the great nature of Hakone.
There was a deep green and mysterious landscape, similar to that of Ubud, Bali, a resort in the mountains.
The Hakone mountain range, with almost no man-made structures except for power transmission facilities, changes its appearance from season to season.
The guestrooms and lounge were designed to jut out into the valley in order to allow guests to experience this wilderness with all of their five senses.