Staying at Senjuan, one of the finest ryokan in mountainous Gunma Prefecture, is a journey of discovery. The ryokan abounds in elegant touches that surprise and delight, making the guest realize that this is special place, with a unique approach to luxury.
A relatively new establishment at 13 years old, Senjuan offers a rich mix of old and new, in a tasteful and elegant package. Local touches give a strong sense of place, and the history and culture of the area.
The walls are finished with tsuchikabe mud-and-straw stucco, and kumiko traditional joinery fashioned from sugi (cryptomeria) and kyoku (zelkova) wood can be seen throughout the ryokan, as can beautiful washi paper and mica prints, used for soft interior lighting, and sumi charcoal, a local industry since time immemorial.
Rooms are finished in tsuchikabe, a traditional technique raised to the level of art at Senjuan, with leaves, pieces of charcoal, seashells, and even machine nuts and washers (which over the years have oxidized, leaving lovely red images in the stucco).
The surrounding forested mountains abound with wildlife, and all rooms are equipped with binoculars for spotting the numerous local birds, as well as squirrels, rabbits and, if you're lucky, a glimpse of a kamoshika, a local species of deer.
And then, after eating your fill of the outstanding kaiseki ryori in the Hibiki restaurant, you can soak in your rotemburo and contemplate the moon, the stars and the play of the seasons on the mountain crags, with the music of the river a constant companion.
A sitting room/sunroom with comfortable chairs overlooks the river gorge, and a big stone rotemburo invites glorious soaking outdoors.
A spacious Japanese-style room with a tatami sleeping/living room, plus a tsuginoma, or extra tatami room.
A Japanese-style room including a spacious tatami room, as well as a Japanese-style sitting room, veranda and wooden deck with views of the river and mountains.
The granite, wooden-floored rotemburo boasts spectacular views of Mt. Tanegawa.
Each of these Japanese-style rooms is unique, though with the same level of luxury and attention to detail.
Each has a two large tatami rooms, as well as a sitting room overlooking the river.
Each also has a huge deck, the perfect place for sitting and watching the sunbeams play on the distant peaks or gazing at the moon. The rotemburo are huge granite tubs with glorious views of the surrounding nature.
The rotemburo is a deep stone number with a rustic log settee and a spectacular view of the mountains and the river gorge below.
This twin room has both Western and Japanese elements, with a tatami room as well as twin beds in a separate room.
This is Senjuan's premium room, and it has all the features that make for a truly luxurious experience, combining spacious luxury with cozy comfort. This spacious two-room suite boasts a big beautiful stone rotemburo outdoor bath overlooking the woods, the river and craggy Mt. Tanigawa in the distance, as well as an indoor wooden ofuro bath made of hinoki wood.
Sleeping arrangements are Japanese futon in traditional tatami sleeping rooms, and Shakunage also includes a small chashitsu, or tea ceremony room.
Twin beds and elegant furnishings, a fireplace, a chaise longue and comfortable chairs make up this Western-style room.
Big windows look out onto the woods and river, and the rotemburo is a spacious square granite pool.
Meals at Senjuan are served in the Hibiki restaurant kaiseki-style, with a set menu that emphasizes local delicacies. Dinner starts with a yasoushu, an alcoholic drink made by the Senjuan staff from local herbs to cleanse the palate and prepare the diner for the delights to come.
The cuisine centers around seasonal local fish and vegetables grilled at the table on an irori, or small sand-filled hearth, accompanied by a variety of delicacies created in the artful kaiseki style, resulting in a fine example of Japanese cuisine.
Although there is no bar on the premises, the restaurant boasts an extensive selection of beverages, including wine, beer, sake, shochu and others.
And complementary beverages are available all night in the main lounge.
The public bath has two sections, separated by gender, which switch every night at 10:00.
The Sora aesthetic salon provides professional spa treatments for Senjuan guests, including facials, full-body and foot massages, and steam treatments, for both women and men.
The ryokan's garden is remarkably spacious, given the mountainous terrain of the area, with expansive grounds that are great for children to play in.
This area is especially popular because of its relatively tranquil atmosphere (it’s much smaller than nearby Naeba and Gala Yuzawa), as well as its abundant powder snow and long (six-month) season.
Senjuan's reading room is in a separate building equipped with a huge stone fireplace, comfy chairs around it, shelves full of books and a bar.
This huge park, which straddles Tochigi, Gunma and Niigata prefectures, is a paradise of rolling green hills and mountainous areas, as well as huge marshes.
The Tanigawadake Ropeway (cable car) goes to Tenjindaira, a popular destination for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. It also oasts spectacular views from the view terrace.
SENJUAN
614 TanigawanishidairaMinakamimachiTonegunGunma 379-1619Japan