The beautiful and elegant Hiramatsu Sengokuhara, another jewel in the crown of Hiramatsu Hotels and Resorts chain of high-end luxury auberge-style hotels.
Is a welcome addition to the high-end accommodations in the famous resort town of Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The hotel is decorated with fine art, centring on the work of painters active in France during the 20th century, such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Sonia Delaunay and Fernand Leger.
These geometric and brightly coloured works, blend perfectly with the decor, creating an exceptional artistic space.
The concept at this hotel is, as at the group’s other locations, very exclusive, high-end accommodations with an excellent restaurant at their center.
The auberge concept is well-suited to the Hiramatsu company, which made its name over several decades with its group of first-class restaurants in Japan as well as in New York and Paris.
Hiroyuki Hiramatsu, the founder of the company, is a longtime lover of all things French, and based his restaurants on the cuisine of that country, as well as that of Italy.
Some of the best restaurants in those countries are in rather remote places, making it difficult for guests to get there and return home afterwards; therefore, many of these restaurants maintain simple accommodations so that their guests do not have to rush home after their meal.
Befitting the concept, Hiramatsu Sengokuhara is primarily a dining destination - the restaurant forms the center of the experience here, and the rooms and the unsurpassed hospitality allow the guests to relax and spend some time in beautiful Hakone.
The hotel provides an appealing location for guests seeking a pleasant trip out of Tokyo for an overnight sojourn as Hiramatsu Sengokuhara’s expert staff apply their skills in omotenashi, the traditional art of Japanese hospitality.
Gorgeous art is everywhere you look, so that the hotel is itself almost like a fine art gallery, matching well its placement in Hakone, a place famous for its excellent museums.
Chef Kenjiro Yoshikoshi puts his individual stamp on the entire hotel, taking charge of every aspect of the guests comfort - down to the placement of flowers and details of the interiors, and his ideas and sensibility enhance the entire Hiramatsu Sengokuhara experience.
The hotel has 11 guest rooms, each with its own hot spring bath fed continuously with water direct from the famous hot springs of Hakone, inviting you to relax and unwind.
Some draw white cloudy water from the Owakudani spring, others draw colourless transparent water from the Ubako spring. The interior décor combines natural travertine limestone and
traditional decoration techniques such as stucco antico with vivid colours and modern design, to create a unique and special atmosphere.
The guest rooms look out on the forest of Hakone, a landscape that changes continually through the seasons.
The Iconic Executive Suite, at 91 sq. meters, is the hotel’s largest room, occupying the center of the third floor.
It is expandable, and can be connected to the neighboring twin rooms for added space for family, friends, or assistants.
Their large, floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the rolling hills of Hakone, and guests can rest their eyes on the natural beauty, as well as on the ever-changing weather, which can shift, often by the hour, from sunny to misty to blustery, and back again.
The idea is that the rooms can be like a besso - a villa or second home - to which guests can retreat to recharge their batteries.
The style is spare but comfortable - a relaxed atmosphere, with art books to read, beautiful art to set the mood, and tidy little accents, such as rugs that provide individuality and a homey touch.
The room boasts a substantial pink marble stone bathtub, which face the floor-to-ceiling windows and the view outside.
It is fed by clear Shin-Ubako, renowned for its ability to render the skin soft and glowing and is beneficial for a host of ailments, both physical and spiritual.
The window can be opened to let the nature in for a rotemburo (open-air bath) experience.
It has a glass-walled anteroom for additional privacy.
Each room’s interior design is unique, furnished with high-class furniture, a mix of modern and antique.
The beds are super-comfy with mattresses by Regalia and can be swapped out for doubles if the guest prefers.
The bath amenities are all the highest quality items by Bulgari, and the towels are by Imabari.
The minibar offers Perrier and San Pellegrino waters, as well as juice/nectar by the European brand Alain Milliat.
The 3F Suites are at 79 sq. meters with a spacious veranda that boast a gorgeous view of Hakone’s hills that half of them can also enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji.
Furnished with high-class furniture, each room’s interior design is unique.
The 1F Twin rooms are at 79 sq. meters with a view of the small ground-level garden, which is lush in the summer, and in winter is a riot of red flowers.
The large, floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the rolling hills of Hakone, and guests can rest their eyes on the natural beauty, as well as on the ever-changing weather, which can shift, often by the hour, from sunny to misty to blustery, and back again.
The room boasts a substantial pink marble stone bathtub, which face the floor-to-ceiling windows and the view outside; it is fed by clear Shin-Ubako, renowned for its ability to render the skin soft and glowing and is beneficial for a host of ailments, both physical and spiritual.
The 3F Twin rooms are at 56 sq. meters, a bit skinnier, but just as comfortable.
The views are similarly breathtaking on a sunny day with a gorgeous view of Mt. Fuji, as well as on the ever-changing weather, which can shift, often by the hour, from sunny to misty to blustery, and back again.
The cuisine here is both delicious and artistic, reflecting Chef Yoshikoshi’s prodigious skill and artistic sensibility. A renowned Italian cuisine specialist, he takes his inspiration from the Hakone area’s abundant natural bounty.
The emphasis is on appealing to all five senses, as well as on bringing to perfection the finest local produce – ingredients to be found only in Hakone, and prepared in a way that is available only here, in the dining rooms of Hiramatsu Sengokuhara.
Chef Yoshikoshi has 20 years’ experience cooking at Hiramatsu restaurants. The food here is delicious, local and presented with a unique and individual elan. It is Italian at its base, with a strong French influence as well.
In addition – thanks to their long experience at the excellent Hiramatsu restaurants – the chefs here are used to accommodating special food restrictions, such as allergies, vegetarian, halal or gluten-free.
The hotel has two dining rooms - one on the 1F which is the main dining for hotel guests, and the other on the 2F for visitors, many of them Hiramatsu restaurant fans, and people staying at nearby hotels or at their own besso villas.
Both restaurants are thoroughly Hiramatsu in style - relaxed and intimate, expertly served, and with fabulous art on the walls contributing to the atmosphere of elegance and luxury.
The 1F dining room projects an intimate and elegant atmosphere, and the tables are set in half-booths that are angled toward the windows for privacy.
There is also a private "family" dining room, which seats 8.
After dinner, guests can repair to the comfortable veranda that overlooks an infinity pool, with torches that light up at night for a warm and tranquil atmosphere.
During the day it provides a restful view of the hotel’s garden and beyond to the densely forested hills of Hakone.
from 07.00h
from 17.30h
Italian
In your own hot spring bath; every guest room has its own hot spring bath, fed continuously with water direct from either the Ubako or the Owakudani spring.
The water of the Ubako spring, known as bihada no yu ("hot spring for beautiful skin").
Is clear and transparent; the water of the Owakudani spring is rich in minerals that give it a beautiful milky white appearance.
Both feel soft to the skin and are said to be highly effective in relieving skin conditions and neuralgia.
LOCAL AREA
Surrounded by the mountains of the Hakone caldera, the Sengokuhara plateau is an impressive example of the power of Nature. Its beautiful sights, from the great plain of pampas grass that waves like the sea, to Mt Kintoki with its fine view of Mt Fuji, and the flowering plants of the Sengokuhara Marsh, have captivated visitors through the ages.
ARTS
Spectacular fine art is everywhere you look at Hiramatsu Sengokuhara; Mr. Hiramatsu is an avid art collector who has amassed an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures by some of the greatest artists of the 20th century.
The hotel boasts a collection of some 100 paintings in total; in the foyer are paintings by Bernard Buffet, Joan Miro, Fernand Leger and Toshinobu Imai. The hotel’s two restaurants also boast fabulous art - in the guest dining room is a large painting
by Lyonel Feininger, and the Lounge boasts an impressive series of lithographs by Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall, as well as paintings by Lyonel Feininger, Frank Stella, Tomoko Kataoka and Yayoi Kusama, among others.
All the rooms are graced by paintings from the collection.
The hotel also has numerous bronze sculptures and ceramic artworks, as well as a collection of lovely Italian-style antique furniture.
Surrounded by the mountains of the Hakone caldera, the Sengokuhara plateau is an impressive example of the power of Nature.
Its beautiful sights, from the great plain of pampas grass that waves like the sea, to Mt. Kintoki with its fine view of Mt. Fuji, and the flowering plants of the Sengokuhara Marsh, have captivated visitors through the ages.
This incredibly beautiful but relatively unknown temple is nestled amongst rich nature, with lovely, peaceful, beautifully kept grounds and timeless Buddhist architecture.
Is a spectacular facility, featuring artworks by Picasso, Henry Moore, Churyo Sato and many others. Many of the sculptures are displayed outdoors in a unique natural setting. The museum has over 1,000 artworks in total.
You can savor this famous view from a variety of viewpoints, including Moto-Hakone, the Hakone Detached Palace Garden, and of course the numerous sightseeing boats that ply the lake.
Meet with your guide in the lobby and embark by private car for a driving tour to admire Mt. Fuji. Panoramic views of the mountain, from base to peak, can be seen here on clear days.
Is an airy, spacious building, with exhibits of Asian art, mostly Japanese, Chinese and Korean, from ancient times to the present. The art is from the collection of Kazuo Okada.
Owakudani is a volcanic valley formed from a crater created during an eruption of Mt. Hakone about 3,000 years ago. The valley still boasts sulphur vents and hot springs.
The district covers a total area of approximately 22 km², and is located in the northern part of the Hakone caldera; is designated a part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and includes golf courses.
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THE HIRAMATSU HOTELS & RESORTS SENGOKUHARA
1245-337 SengokuharaHakone-machiAshigarashimo-gunKanagawa, 250-0631Japan