Kinnotake Tonosawa can only be reached by crossing a large suspension bridge over the Hayakawa River that flows down from the Hakone Highlands towards the sea. Visible just downstream is the Hayakawa rail bridge, the oldest existing bridge in Japan. On the far bank of the river, Kinnotake Tonosawa awaits your arrival, a secluded sanctuary of luxurious onsen, delicious food, and ultimate relaxation amidst the serenity of the trees and the sweet melody of flowing water.

This exclusive modern onsen ryokan contains 21 guest rooms, each designed to provide maximum comfort while connecting you to the sights and sounds of the surrounding natural beauty. Each guest room is equipped with an open-air rotemburo onsen bath and a terrace looking out over the river gorge below. The onsen baths on the first floor are made from Mikage stone, while those on the upper floors are constructed of Aomori cypress.

The emphasis at Kinnotake Tonosawa is on providing guests with complete privacy and relaxation, perfect for that memorable getaway together. Enjoy the sophisticated modern design of your room as you gaze out over the verdant surroundings, grateful for this sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city life where you can reconnect with nature and the one you love.

Dinner at Kinnotake Tonosawa is a private leisurely experience where you can take your time to savor the delicious myriad flavors and the quiet ambience of the room together. The dishes are served in traditional kaiseki style with a contemporary twist, prepared with great care using fresh seasonal ingredients selected by the chef. You may also order from an extensive menu of fine wine, champagne, and Japanese sake (including locally produced sake) to enjoy with your meal.

At Kinnotake Tonosawa, the staff are very particular when it comes to providing only the best for their esteemed guests. This desire to serve extends even to the rice served with your meals, which is selected by five-star rice meister Kazu Tsuchiya. As you taste this delicious rice along with local fare sourced from the mountains around you and the waters of the nearby river and sea, take a moment to gaze out your window and contemplate the deep connection between nature, food, and hospitality for which Hakone is best known.

For the morning meal at Kinnotake Sengokuhara, guests are given the choice of either a traditional Japanese breakfast – including miso soup, rice, and fish – or a Western-style cooked breakfast. Both styles feature locally sourced ingredients and a range of dishes providing different flavors, textures, and colors to awaken all your senses and get you ready for the day. Once again, breakfast will be served in the privacy and comfort of your room.

After checking out of Kinnotake Sengokuhara, you will have the opportunity to meet a renowned chef known for promoting Japanese cuisine around the world. Kazuhiko Tajima has quite the resume, having trained in Michelin-starred restaurants in Kyoto and Tokyo before a stint as chef for the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. Now the proprietor of his own restaurant Kappo Tajima in the Daikanyama district of Tokyo, Tajima will be your personal guide through all the steps of preparing sushi from fish to plate.

Your sushi-making experience begins with the preparation of shari, the vinegared rice used in sushi, in a wooden container known as an oke. After the rice and vinegar have been mixed to Tajima’s satisfaction, a whole fish will be provided for you to fillet and slice under Tajima’s care and guidance. The type of fish chosen for this experience will depend on the time of year, based on Tajima’s extensive knowledge of which fish is just right for the season.

Tajima will then show you how to form sushi by hand, shaping a ball of rice and a slice of fish into a single piece of nigiri sushi. This is easier said than done, but trust the chef to patiently assist you as you try your hand at this timeless culinary art form. After that, sit back and relax while Tajima arranges your creations onto an attractive serving plate. Savor each bite of the sushi you have made alongside gunkan-maki sushi, miso soup, and side dishes prepared by Tajima.

With the busy day-to-day of city life, it can be difficult to find the time and space to slow down for a moment and remember what matters most. This is just what the privacy and tranquility of Kinnotake Tonosawa provides, with spacious beautifully-designed modern rooms and terraces with open-air rotemburo onsen baths that look out onto a timeless landscape of trees and flowing water

Likewise, the pace of modern life sometimes means that we cannot take the time to fully appreciate our food. Through two splendid meals at Kinnotake Tonosawa along with your hands-on sushi-making session with master chef Kazuhiko Tajima, you will experience the passion and artistry for food that is at the heart of Japanese hospitality.