The hotel “Hatonosu-So” is located above the valley

After spending a day in the beautiful nature of Okutama, doesn’t it feel like a shame to head straight back into the city? In such times, why not stay a little longer and enjoy the “Hatonosu-So” hotel?

This hotel features breathtaking forest views from the windows of every room, hot springs, and Okutama gourmet cuisine made with seasonal ingredients. Guests can enjoy their stay overnight and on day trips for a perfect weekend getaway!

Hatonosu-So HP：https://www.okutamas.co.jp/hatonosu/index.html

Lobby

As you enter, you will be welcomed by a spacious and open lobby. The lobby facing the valley has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, allowing access to the terrace. The lobby also offers a variety of free brochures and booklets about Okutama's tourist spots, including an English version. Guests can enjoy discovering local attractions and borrow yukatas (a casual summer kimono) for free.

Summers in Japan are hot and humid, and it is easy to get sweaty. So, being able to change into a yukata once you get to the hotel is truly a luxury! They have yukatas in all sizes, including ones for children. Yukatas are perfect for summer as they are not too tight and allow air to pass through the body easily.

Onsen (Hot Spring)

The Hatonosu Onsen, sourced from a private hot spring, contains essential elements well known for promoting beautiful skin. Guests can enjoy the relaxing waters in both the open-air and indoor baths.

With a floor-to-ceiling window, this onsen offers an unobstructed view of nature that is hard to beat! Relaxing in the outdoor bath while listening to the sounds of the river flowing was the utmost relaxing experience.

Ojas (Vitality for Living)

Ojas spa products combine "Japanese hot spring water" and the "power of plants" which has been cherished in Japan for a long time, with Sri Lanka's traditional “Ayurveda” and herbs. Developed by Japanese beauty experts, these products are not designed for quick results but use natural ingredients based on herbal medicine principles for long-term benefits to the skin and body.

In Japan, hot springs, known as "Touji," have long been used for beauty and fatigue recovery. Each hot spring has unique benefits depending on its region. Ojas uses hot spring water from Hinohara Village in Tokyo and is known for its clear, colorless water that rises from 1000 meters underground. This water is known to have healing properties for the skin.

Treatment

Ojas offers treatments based on Ayurveda, the traditional Sri Lankan system of preventive medicine.

・Basic Ayurveda Treatment: 60 minutes / ¥12,000 (tax included)

Warm hands and oil are used to relieve stubborn tension and swelling. During the 60-minute session, you can choose a mix of focused back treatments, head spas, and facials.　

・Premium Ayurveda Treatment: 90 minutes / ¥15,000 (tax included)

Deep lymphatic drainage relieves overall fatigue by using warm oil to heat the entire body. Options include a full-body oil treatment and a choice between a head spa or a facial.

・Chakra Balance Premium: 120 minutes / ¥18,000 (tax included)

Based on the conditions of each guest of the day, experienced therapists tailor the spa program. Before the treatment, the therapists conduct seated yoga to focus on breathing and use the sound of singing bowls to help clear the flow of stagnant energy and fluids in the body.

Before the treatment, the therapist asked a few questions to understand what I was expecting and to learn about my Ayurvedic body type. There were also three different types of oil, and I was asked to choose the one with the scent I liked the most. Interestingly, the oil I chose matched my Ayurvedic body type. The massage was gentle yet firm, and I felt the energy flowing back into my body.

Hatonosu Station

Enjoy exploring Okutama with an electric tuk-tuk or electric bicycle! Since March 2024, the unmanned Hatonosu Station has offered a mobility rental service for departures and arrivals at the station (reservation required).

・Bicycle Rental: Up to 12 hours / ¥2,000 (tax included)

・Tuk-Tuk Rental: 1 hour / ¥2,000 (tax included)

If you spend a full weekend at Okutama, it is recommended to rent one of these to explore the area a little further. The bikes can be unlocked through an online app while the Tuk-Tuk rental needs to be reserved in advance since you need to show your driver’s license!

The great nature of Okutama

Okutama, filled with nature, features numerous outdoor sports facilities, such as campgrounds and fishing spots, making it a great place for families with children to enjoy the forest and water. A recommended spot is the 800-meter-long "Nippara Limestone Cave", designated as a natural monument by Tokyo. Take this opportunity to experience the great outdoors of Okutama!

*The information provided is based on our June 2024 visit. Prices and operating hours are subject to change. Please verify details directly with the establishment.