NOT A HOTEL

The Charms of Yugawara:

A Historic Hot Spring Town

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Just 90 minutes from Tokyo, Yugawara is a sanctuary with over 1,300 years of history. Famously it's the only hot spring mentioned in the Manyōshū, Japan's oldest poetry anthology, and has long been a retreat for literary masters. Today, you can still feel that cultural legacy. Immerse yourself in Yugawara's gentle, historic hot springs and enjoy a moment of quiet contemplation. Your journey of self-reflection begins here.

Discovering Yugawara

DiscoveringYugawara

AMERICAN CLUBHOUSE

Yugawara is renowned as a historic hot spring town, but offers so much more. From heritage sites linked to the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo to bakeries that captivate bread lovers nationwide, and even Peruvian cuisine crafted by renowned chefs who migrated from Tokyo—Yugawara is a place where nostalgic charm meets local passion. Join us as we explore the spots that make this town so special.

Yugawara is renowned as a historic hot spring town, but offers so much more. From heritage sites linked to the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo to bakeries that captivate bread lovers nationwide, and even Peruvian cuisine crafted by renowned chefs who migrated from Tokyo—Yugawara is a place where nostalgic charm meets local passion. Join us as we explore the spots that make this town so special.

Breads lined up inside Bread Circus
Campagne and hard breads on the shelf
Deli sandwiches in a basket
Popular cream pan
Simple hard toast
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BREAD & CIRCUS

This bakery draws fans from all across the country. Their shelves are always stocked with 40 to 50 varieties of bread and sweets, ranging from a whole wheat campagne made with homemade natural yeast to hearty artisanal loaves and unique baked treats. Other popular items include the brown rice toast and the "fruit bundle" packed with dried fruits. Only five people can enter the charming red-and-green shop at one time.

BREAD & CIRCUS

Address: Doi 4-2-16, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa MAP

Phone: 0465-62-6789

Hours: 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM (May open earlier depending on the day; closes once sold out)

Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Inside Arai Shoten
Folk crafts and books on the table
Lunch plate
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ARAI SHŌTEN

After 18 successful years located in the Tokyo business district of Shimbashi, Arai Shoten relocated to Yugawara in September 2023. The owner-chef Takahiro Arai formerly trained in French cuisine under Kiyomi Mikuni, and now creates unique Peruvian dishes using local fish he catches himself alongside home-grown produce.

ARAI SHŌTEN

Address: Shirohori 18-2, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa MAP

Phone: 0465-20-8360

Hours: Lunch: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Last Order) / Dinner: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Last Order) / Reservation required

Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Gosho Shrine eaves and hanging lanterns
Sacred camphor tree
Gosho Shrine main hall
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Gosho Shrine

The premier spiritual "power spot" in Yugawara, Gosho Shrine is steeped in samurai history. In 1180, local lord Doi Sanehira famously offered a sword here to pray for the victory of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate. The shrine's highlight is its massive 850-year-old sacred tree, standing 36m tall with an 8m-wide trunk. Dedicated to the god of longevity, it remains a popular destination for those seeking health, long life, and success.

Gosho Shrine

Address: Miyashita 359-1, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa MAP

Phone: 0465-62-5869

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Subject to change/closure without notice)

American Club House cuisine
Vintage interior decor
American Club House exterior at night
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AMERICAN CLUBHOUSE

Yugawara's first open-kitchen restaurant, established in 1979. Their signature dish is spare ribs—said to be the first ever served in Japan. Originally created for American dignitaries, the recipe was refined to perfectly suit the Japanese palate. Tender, juicy, and expertly prepared, these ribs are a must-try.

AMERICAN CLUBHOUSE

Address: Doi 1-10-3, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa MAP

Phone: 0465-62-8300

Hours: Lunch: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM / Dinner: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM

Closed: Mondays (If Monday is a public holiday, closed the following day)

Citrus fruits on a tree against the blue sky
Fresh citrus fruits in a bowl
Citrus packed in containers for shipping
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ISHIZAWA SHŌTEN

Yugawara is a citrus paradise, with over 80 varieties grown year-round including the unique "Otsu No. 4." Ishizawa Shōten, a wholesaler with over 70 years of history, sells seasonal citrus carefully selected from local farms. In late summer, they also feature premium processed goods.

ISHIZAWA SHŌTEN

Address: Doi 2-16-4, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa MAP

Phone: 0465-63-3212

Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Closed: Sundays

ODAWARA SHORT TRIP

ODAWARASHORT TRIP

Odawara Art Foundation Enoura Observatory

Just a 15-minute drive from Yugawara takes you through the lush greenery of the Hakone outer rim, after which you'll arrive in Odawara, overlooking Sagami Bay. This city, which has long flourished as a castle town, offers a top cultural facility designed by a world-renowned contemporary artist that overlooks the Sagami Bay seascape, a traditional Japanese restaurant serving seasonal cuisine in a setting reminiscent of a tangible cultural property, and a famed general store stocking charming everyday items. A journey through Odawara will quietly awaken your senses.

Just a 15-minute drive from Yugawara takes you through the lush greenery of the Hakone outer rim,after which you'll arrive in Odawara, overlooking Sagami Bay. This city, which has long flourished as a castle town,offers a top cultural facility designed by a world-renowned contemporary artist, a traditional Japanese restaurant,and a famed general store. A journey through Odawara will quietly awaken your senses.

Sagami Bay view from the corridor
Optical glass stage
Meigetsu gate
Exhibition of glass and reclaimed wood
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Odawara Art Foundation Enoura Observatory

Hiroshi Sugimoto is a leading Japanese contemporary artist whose work spans photography, space design, and performing arts. Enoura Observatory in Odawara is the ultimate realization of his diverse artistry. Designed by Sugimoto, the project took 20 years to conceptualize and build. The expansive site includes an art gallery, a stone stage, gardens, and a teahouse. Perched on a hill overlooking Sagami Bay, the location holds deep personal significance. The view—immortalized in his famous Seascapes series—is the "primal landscape" Sugimoto remembers from his childhood.

Odawara Art Foundation Enoura Observatory

Address: Enoura 362-1, Odawara, Kanagawa MAP

Phone: 0465-42-9170

Hours: Morning Session: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM / Afternoon Session: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Advance reservations required)

Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, New Year & Temporary Closures

Admission: 3,300 yen (Online advance purchase)

※No admission for children under junior high school age (including infants) for safety reasons.

Seikantei exterior
Japanese-Western fusion cuisine on a lacquered table
Sukiya-zukuri corridor and fusuma paintings
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Odawara Seikantei

During the Meiji era, Odawara became a premier resort for the Imperial Family and other members of the Japanese elite. Seikantei, built in 1906 as the villa of Marquis Nagashige Kuroda, is a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property. In this historic sukiya-zukuri architectural setting, guests can enjoy a fusion of Japanese and Western cuisine crafted from local ingredients, inspired by the traditional 24 seasons. We can also offer guided tours by our staff to explore the building's architectural beauty and Odawara's rich history.

Odawara Seikantei

Address: Minamicho 1-5-73, Odawara, Kanagawa MAP

Phone: 050-1809-2213

Hours: Lunch: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM / Dinner: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Closed: Closed irregularly

Entrance of sent.
Glass display case and goods inside the shop
Clothing and household goods on display
Ceramic works by local artists
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sent.

Household goods line the shelves of sent., all carefully selected through the discerning eye of owner Hata Misaki. sent. also displays works by local artists, allowing shoppers to experience the unique sensibilities of this area. With knowledge cultivated in the real estate industry, Hata aims for the store to become a "starting point for urban development." Working hand in hand with restaurants and artists in Odawara and the surrounding area, she is carefully weaving connections with the local community and breathing new life into the town.

sent.

Address: Honcho 3-1-6, Odawara-shi, Kanagawa MAP

Phone: 050-3696-6105

Hours: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Closed: Sundays and Mondays

AREA MAP

AREA MAP

Experience Okuyugawara's serene hot springs and the nostalgic charms of the Yugawara town. Then complete your journey with the seaside art and historic dining of nearby Odawara.

Experience Okuyugawara's serene hot springs and the nostalgic charms of the Yugawara town.Then complete your journey with the seaside art and historic dining of nearby Odawara.

YUGAWARA
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