Feudal Lord's Teahouse Residence
Nagato Yumoto Onsen was a place where successive feudal lords visited for hot spring therapy during the Edo period. KAI Nagato, situated by the Otogizure River flowing through the hot spring town, embodies the culture of the samurai, with the theme of a "honjin," a rest stop used by feudal lords during their travels to Edo. The concept is a feudal lord's teahouse residence. Guest rooms are decorated with Yamaguchi's representative traditional crafts such as Hagi ware, Ouchi lacquerware, and Hagi glass, while the lobby features a space expressing the alcove of a samurai residence, with hanging scrolls and decorations to welcome guests. As part of the Nagato Yumoto Onsen tourism development plan, this facility also includes the Akebono Cafe, which is open to non-staying guests, and the Akebono Gate, which allows staying guests to easily access the hot spring town.
KAI Cultural Discovery
KAI, a hot spring ryokan brand developed throughout Japan, offers "KAI Cultural Discovery" activities to enjoy the unique charms of each region, such as traditional crafts, performing arts, and food.
Meditation Calligraphy
Guests grind ink with Akama inkstone, a traditional craft of Yamaguchi Prefecture, to experience the fragrance and quality of the ink and then write their thoughts on a fan-shaped stencil. In the Edo period, Akama inkstone was used as a tribute during the travels of feudal lords to Edo, and the mountains were mined for quarrying the raw materials only with the permission of the feudal lord. Thus, the inkstone, which was difficult to obtain as a specialty of the Choshu domain, is said to have been favored by Yoshida Shoin, the teacher of Shoka Sonjuku academy (*). Akama inkstone, with its fine particles, allows for good ink grinding and produces ink with good color and extension. This is an experience to touch a genuine inkstone, which is very rare with only three existing craftsmen.
(*)From the official website of Yamaguchi Prefecture
KAI Signature Rooms
The guest rooms, which embody the samurai culture of Yamaguchi Prefecture, were created with the image of a bed for a feudal lord to rest. The bed is elevated, and the lattice enclosure creates a noble atmosphere. "Go sai" (five colors) refers to the five elements that decorate the guest rooms: Tokuji washi paper, Hagi ware, Hagi glass, Ouchi lacquerware, all traditional crafts of Yamaguchi Prefecture, and the seasonal scenery seen from the windows.
Tokuji Washi Paper
The bed headboard is made of Tokuji washi paper, which has been used for over 800 years since the Muromachi period and is designated as an intangible cultural property of Yamaguchi City. The washi paper is dyed in colors that make the bed look gorgeous. In the Edo period, Tokuji washi paper was used as one of the domain's important export products. Currently, only a few households remain, and it is designated as an intangible cultural property of Yamaguchi City.
Hagi Ware
The alcove with staggered shelves features Hagi ware by three artists (Masahiro Sakakura, Takao Tahara, and Zenyemon Sakakura) from the Fukagawa kiln, located near Nagato Yumoto Onsen. Hagi ware is often characterized by a simple style that makes use of the texture of the clay, and decorations such as paintings are generally not used. However, the works in the guest rooms and lobby of KAI Nagato are arranged to give a sense of newness while maintaining the original warmth of Hagi ware.
Hagi Glass
Hagi glass is characterized by its moss green color, hardness, scratch resistance, and heat resistance. It is used in the signs at the entrance of the guest rooms to welcome guests with soft light.
Ouchi Lacquerware
Ouchi lacquerware is a traditional craft of Yamaguchi Prefecture characterized by elegant picture patterns. Its characteristic pair of dolls, said to symbolize marital harmony, feature beautiful lacquer and gold leaf "haku-e" (foil painting).
Seasonal Scenery from the Windows
From the windows of the guest rooms, you can enjoy the seasonal scenery, such as the cherry blossoms blooming along the Otogizure River in spring and the mountains colored with autumn leaves in fall. By gazing at the scenery from each guest room and listening to the sound of the nearby Otogizure River, you can have a relaxing stay.
KAI Local Flavors
In a semi-private dining room where privacy is ensured, you can enjoy kaiseki cuisine that makes use of seasonal local ingredients, along with elaborately designed tableware. Yamaguchi Prefecture boasts the second highest consumption of squid in Japan, and sweet, thick, and tender squid is served as an appetizer and sashimi. The colorful main platter "horaku-mori", which combines vinegared dishes, "hassun" dish, and sashimi, uses Hagi ware plates and buckets. The buckets are made by Akira Sakamura, the only bucket craftsman in Yamaguchi Prefecture and selected as a "Master of the Forest" by the National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization. The special kaiseki cuisine features pufferfish and chicken, both specialties of Yamaguchi Prefecture. In spring and summer, the "Kawara-yaki" (tile grill) is used to grill beef, chicken, and seasonal vegetables on a ceramic plate shaped like a roof tile, and then finished with a squeeze of "yukichi" (a type of yuzu) for a refreshing taste. It is recommended to enjoy it with five kinds of condiments such as yukichi pepper and soy sauce "koji". In autumn and winter, the "Fugu and Beef Genpei Hot Pot" special dinner offers a full course of pufferfish, including sashimi, deep-fried dishes, and a hot pot with pufferfish and beef.
Special Features
Public Hot Springs
Nagato Yumoto Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is said to be the place where feudal lords visited for hot spring therapy. The hot spring, which healed the feudal lords, is characterized by its high alkaline content (pH 9.9) and spring quality with components like lotion. There are indoor baths with hot water and lukewarm water flowing directly from the source, as well as an open-air bath.
Akebono Cafe
KAI Nagato aims to be a part of the attractive hot spring town envisioned in the Nagato Yumoto Onsen tourism development plan. As one of the contents to enjoy strolling around the hot spring town, KAI Nagato has the Akebono Cafe, the first in the KAI brand to be open to non-staying guests. The cafe sells dorayaki (Japanese pancakes with filling) made with "yukichi" and natsumikan (summer orange) jam, which are typical of Yamaguchi Prefecture. You can enjoy strolling around the hot spring town with these dorayaki, which have a sweet taste with a hint of sourness.
Overview of KAI Nagato
Address: 2229-1 Yumoto, Fukagawa, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Number of Rooms: 40
Starting Room Rate: Starting from 32,000 JPY per night (per person for a 2 person room, includes tax, service charge, breakfast, and dinner) Directions: About 60 minutes by car from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station
About KAI Brand
"Japanese Auberge" in classic hot spring regions
KAI is a leading brand of hot spring ryokan where every establishment offers a contemporary take on traditional Japanese inn whilst keeping Western comforts. KAI invites one to discover the multifaceted aspects of Japan through natural hot springs, exploration of local arts and entertainment, and classic Kaiseki-style course meals using local and seasonal flavors. Experience Washoku, Japanese cuisine, presented on carefully selected ceramics for full exposure to culinary sensations.
About Hoshino Resorts
Hoshino Resorts was first established as a Japanese inn/ryokan in 1914 in Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture before it began the operation of other resorts in Japan. Today, it has evolved into a highly influential hotel management company and is run by 4th-generation family member Yoshiharu Hoshino. Providing a unique experience focused on the local charms of each destination and a high level of omotenashi, Japanese-style hospitality, the company has expanded rapidly out of Karuizawa since 2001 and now operates more than 60 accommodations both in and outside Japan with one of the following categories: luxury hotel brand “HOSHINOYA,” hot spring ryokan brand “KAI,” countryside resort hotel brand “RISONARE,” city tourism hotel brand “OMO,” free-spirited hotel brand “BEB,” or other unique lodgings.
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