"Forget time" at a retro inn. 5 ryokan with a Taisho-era romantic atmosphere that are designated as tangible cultural properties

Speaking of the Taisho period, the fashionable style seen in the morning drama series "Gochisousan" is wonderful. It incorporates Western culture while also having a Japanese taste, giving it a Taisho romantic feel. Not only the clothes, but also the architecture, posters, and furniture are modest, yet have a particular style that makes them nostalgic and somehow cool even for those of us living in the modern era.

If you're going to stay somewhere, you want to immerse yourself in a trip in a realistic building, right? In that case, we recommend a lodging that is a registered tangible cultural property. In addition to being historically valuable, it has been registered as a designated cultural property after clearing various conditions, such as being a model for its architecture and reproducibility, and its shape. Retro lovers will love this romantic Taisho-era lodging, so why not take a trip back in time to those days?

About 16 minutes by car from Akita Airport is "Tsuyakubi onsen Shohoen." Completed in 1917, the building was recognized as a registered tangible cultural property in 1999. The building was constructed with bold yet delicate craftsmanship, and took about three years to complete. The roof in particular is an intricate design that will impress architecture lovers. Its appearance remains the same as it was back then. You will be overwhelmed by its moving presence.

The skills of the palace carpenters shine through in the stairs, ceilings, balustrades...the most impressive sight is the hallway just inside the entrance. An amazing 16.3m long piece of natural Akita cedar is used. If you look closely, you'll notice that there are no joints in the wood. Finding this much material is extremely difficult these days. It's so precious that it's almost a blessing.

This is a purely Japanese-style room that has been used just as it was in 1917. It is a dignified Japanese space that is filled with the luxuries of the time, such as transoms, sliding doors, and pillars. There are many intricate details that make you want to look at every nook and cranny. Imagine how many people have spent time here, and savor the joy of being one of them.

*Some rooms in the building have been renovated.

Bessho Onsen Ryokan Hanaya is about a 5-minute walk from onsen Station. It is a 5,000m2 wooden building built by many palace carpenters between 1913 and 1914. Amazingly, about 80% of it is registered as a tangible cultural property. There are several buildings scattered across the grounds, all connected by walkways. The view from there is full of charm and somewhat fantastical. It gives you a mysterious feeling, as if you are heading towards the entrance to another world.

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One of the attractions Bessho Onsen Ryokan Hanaya, which is built on a vast site, is the seasonal scenery outside the windows. You can take a break and look at the garden from various places in the hotel, such as the lobby and the corridors. The antique-style interior enhances the Japanese-style garden, which allows you to feel the four seasons of Japan. The exquisite contrast between Japanese and Western styles will make you feel nostalgic.

All the rooms have different layouts, and each one reflects the skills and enthusiasm of the palace carpenters of the time. The pillars and balustrades are full of intricate craftsmanship using natural motifs. You can feel the respect for nature and the attitude of coexistence with it. The garden you can see from the window and the layout of the space will make you feel like you are in a luxurious atmosphere, as if it were made just for you.

Tonosawa Ichinoyumotokan is about a 5-minute bus ride from Hakone-Yumoto Station. It is a long-established ryokan founded in 1630, and was designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2009. Even among the many onsen ryokan in Hakone, this inn has a dignified presence befitting its long-established status. Doesn't its location along the old Tokaido road exude a sense of history? It may move the hearts of not only architecture buffs, but history buffs too...

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Why not try the retro baths that have been around since the Taisho period? The baths are made of marble imported from Italy in 1917, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Reservations are required from 13:00 to 24:00, but no reservations are required from 5:00 to 9:30 in the morning. The water is alkaline simple onsen. Why not soak in the bath and think about history?

All rooms face the Hayakawa Valley. In the Japanese-style rooms with open-air baths, you can enjoy a soothing bath while taking in the beauty of the valley up close. The private space exudes good old-fashioned elegance, making you feel as if you are on a secret trip. You can immerse yourself in the enchanting romance that can only be found at a historic ryokan.

Kaihinso Kamakura is about a one-minute walk from Yuigahama Station. Built in 1924, it is a large residential building with a Western-style building and ryokan. It features a steeply sloping roof and numerous bay windows. In 2009, the Western-style building was designated a registered tangible cultural property. If you like old Western-style buildings, you'll fall in love at first sight.

The lounge in the Western-style building is a space where time flows peacefully. It has a classic atmosphere, with history dwelling in every light and curtain. Kaihinso Kamakura was once a resort hotel. It is said that it was popular with many cultural figures during that time. Why not spend some time here immersed in the intellectual atmosphere?

There is only one Western-style room that has been certified as a registered tangible cultural property, making it a rare find. It is a gorgeous space decorated in Art Nouveau. The luxurious layout includes a living room, making it perfect for a special stay-at-home trip. You can enjoy an extraordinary experience while feeling like a member of the nobility.

"onsen Scenic Spot Sansuien" is about a 5-minute drive from onsen Station. Built in the Taisho era, it has undergone several extensions to become the inn we see today. In addition to the building, which has been designated a registered tangible cultural property, the inn's Japanese garden is also a highlight. There are three different styles of Japanese garden, which have been designated a registered monument. It is a double crown inn, with both its indoor and outdoor areas recognized for their value. It looks like it will be well worth a visit♪

The extension, including the guest rooms, was apparently designed by the sukiya master Fuefuki Kaichiro. Every corner of the building is filled with the techniques and playfulness of sukiya. The numerous designs are so impressive that it has been described as "like a museum of wooden architecture." If you enjoy every corner of the room, you may discover something new: "Japanese-style rooms are so interesting."

The inn has three hot springs, and you can enjoy a mixture of these spring waters. In the outdoor baths nestled in the mountains, you can enjoy forest bathing and onsen at the same time. Also noteworthy are the baths, which are made with natural materials such as wood and stone. The pleasant feel and scent on the skin will make you feel closer to nature.

A registered tangible cultural property inn with a Taisho-era romantic atmosphere. Because it is a place where you can feel the real value, it is a trippy and stimulating experience. The culture and aesthetic sense of the time may give us new discoveries in our sensibilities. Why not feel like a fashionable person and enjoy an extraordinary experience to the fullest?