A Luxurious Time Surrendered to Light and Wind: Famous Inn

Update-date: Jan 08 2025

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

A Luxurious Time Surrendered to Light and Wind: Famous Inn

Fukui Prefecture, known for its highest levels of happiness, is attracting attention both domestically and internationally with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in the spring of 2024. This winter, a new 1-night, 2-day wellness tour for foreigners is available, featuring a Kodo (Japanese incense ceremony) experience at a luxury inn in Awara Onsen, along with a high-end kaiseki meal centered around local ingredients. Get an early look at the details of this relaxing and rejuvenating hot spring journey for both the mind and body. Would you like to embark on this wellness journey?

Day 1

The famous inn "Beniya," where you can enjoy hot springs in the comfort of your room.

©Kofu Yuden Beniya

Arriving by hired car from Fukui Station, the destination is Awara Onsen Kofu Yuden Beniya. Founded in 1884, it is a long-established inn with a history of 140 years. Although the building was destroyed in a fire three years ago, it reopened in the summer of 2021. This open, single-story inn, where light and wind can be felt, was selected as a Michelin Guide 2024 key establishment.

Guest Rooms

The rooms prepared for this tour are Suite rooms, featuring an 8–10-tatami mat room with an additional 6-tatami mat space. The rooms have a refined and tranquil atmosphere, showcasing the beauty of the "Sukiya-zukuri" style of architecture, which highlights the natural texture of materials.

A Luxurious Time Surrendered to Light and Wind: Famous Inn "Beniya" Wellness Tour | Fukui

Each room is designed to allow natural light to filter in and for the breeze to flow through, offering a space where you can unwind and feel the passage of time. Guests can enjoy meals and hot springs entirely within their rooms. Indulge in the luxury of relaxing while gazing at the garden.

©Kofu Yuden Beniya

In the half-open-air bath attached to the room, guests can enjoy 100% natural hot spring water, which continuously flows out with a soft, fine texture. The view of the garden while soaking in the bath is truly exceptional. Without worrying about time or surroundings, guests can relax and immerse themselves in high-quality hot springs and the beautiful scenery at their own pace.

As part of this tour, wellness experts, or the inn's proprietress and staff, will provide a lecture on proper bathing techniques and how to enjoy your stay at the ryokan. Take this opportunity to learn the correct and effective way to bathe, so you can enjoy the hot springs in a healthier way.

Lobby Lounge

The interior features a lobby lounge where you can relax while enjoying views of a beautiful Japanese garden. The space incorporates traditional crafts such as Echizen paper and Echizen chests, with numerous spots that will make you want to pause and take in the surroundings. The building is heated by the hot spring energy, providing a soft warmth even in winter. It's recommended to walk around barefoot rather than in slippers to fully experience the cozy atmosphere.

Large Public Bath

The spacious public baths feature large windows, with separate baths for women, "Hikari no Yu," and for men, "Mare no Yu." Each bath also includes an outdoor hot spring, allowing guests to enjoy the natural surroundings while relaxing in the soothing waters (there is no gender rotation for the baths).

Dinner featuring high-end kaiseki cuisine

©Kofu Yuden Beniya

The dinner includes a "Echizen Crab Kaiseki" featuring Echizen crab, a delicacy once presented to royal families. Fresh seafood from the local Mikuni and Echizen ports, as well as regional ingredients, are incorporated into the meal. The kaiseki course allows you to fully enjoy the rich, concentrated flavor of the crab meat, the hearty and flavorful crab miso, and the overall taste experience of Echizen crab.

©Kofu Yuden Beniya

The king of winter flavors in Fukui, Echizen crab (male snow crab). From that season’s catch, the finest Echizen crab is carefully selected for its excellent color, firm weight, and rich meat and crab miso. Skilled artisans prepare and serve it in the best possible condition.

Day 2

Health-conscious breakfast with a focus on fresh ingredients

©Kofu Yuden Beniya

Breakfast features fresh and healthy dishes made with free-range eggs from a farm in Awara city and ingredients delivered directly from local farmers.

Both breakfast and dinner are served in your room, with the meals arranged so that you can enjoy them in the area with the best view. You can enjoy your meals at a table with chairs.

Kofu Yuden Beniya
Address: 4-510 Onsen, Awara City, Fukui Prefecture

550 Years of Rare Fragrance Culture: Shinoryu Moko Experience

©Shinoryu Kodo Shoinkai

In this tour, you will have the unique opportunity to personally experience the Monko (Incense Listening Ceremony) of the Shinoryu school of Kodo, a 550-year-old tradition passed down through 20 generations since the Muromachi period. The experience is conducted by a direct disciple of the Shinoryu headmaster and will take place in a private room at the ryokan.

©Shinoryu Kodo Shoinkai

Monko involves burning Jinsui Koboku (sinking aromatic wood) from Southeast Asia and appreciating its fragrance. During the session, you will learn about the history of Kodo, the various incense woods used, the proper techniques for listening to incense, and even experience a game called Kumiko (group incense) where participants try to identify different scents. As you breathe deeply and focus your senses, the fragrance of the incense will help calm the mind, allowing you to feel a deep sense of tranquility and fulfillment.

Awara Onsen Town Stroll & Lunch

In the Awara Onsen Yuno Machi Plaza, you can enjoy the Ashiyu, a free public foot bath. Made from Shakudani Stone from Fukui Prefecture and crafted with high-quality Hinoki cypress, this foot bath provides a relaxing experience. The hot spring water is naturally flowing, with five different temperature baths for you to enjoy. Find your ideal temperature and unwind in this peaceful setting.

Ashiyu
Address: 1-203 Onsen, Awara City, Fukui Prefecture

Enjoy fresh local fish set meals, handmade soba, and Fukui's famous sauce katsudon for lunch. After your meal, take a relaxing stroll to shop for souvenirs or enjoy some sweets. Darumaya-kaho, a store offering handmade Japanese sweets, washi paper, and folk crafts, is a great place to visit. You can also enjoy the sweets you've purchased within the shop.

Darumaya-kaho
Address: 3-601 Onsen, Awara City, Fukui Prefecture

Also Recommended!

A One-Day Experience Tour to Sharpen Your Senses: "The Island of the Gods" and Art

Enjoy the change itself at the Brilliant Heart Museum

The Brilliant Heart Museum, designed and planned by Fukuig Prefecture-born art director Seiju Toda, is a reservation-only museum. This tour offers a unique opportunity to exclusively rent out the museum, engage in direct dialogue with Toda, and experience activities such as a tea ceremony. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the idea of change itself, making it a dynamic and immersive art experience.

From the large windows of the Brilliant Heart Museum, visitors can gaze upon Oshima Island, a nationally designated scenic and natural monument, known locally as "The Island of the Gods." The museum was designed by Seiju Toda to capture the ever-changing landscape of Oshima Island, which he regards as a living artwork. The view from the museum includes Oshima Island, the Sea of Japan, and the sky, all of which shift continuously throughout the day, season, and year.

On sunny days, the museum transforms into a magical experience as the crystals embedded in the walls and windows capture the sunlight, creating countless rainbows. This unique "light tea room" experience is exclusive to the museum. In this extraordinary space, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, feeling it with both body and soul. Don't miss the chance to indulge in this luxurious experience.

Brilliant Heart Museum
Address: 26-21 Anto, Mikuni-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture

The untouched nature of Oshima, the Island of the Gods

Oshima Island, also known as "The Island of the Gods," is an uninhabited island located off the coast of the Echizen Coast, with a circumference of about 2 km. The island is made up of volcanic rock that dates back approximately 12 million years and is surrounded by steep cliffs. After crossing the 224-meter-long Oshima Bridge, with its striking red color contrasting against the blue sea, visitors reach the Ominato Shrine, which has a history of over 1,370 years.

On the island, you can take a 40-minute walk to explore its natural wonders, including the "plate-like joints" rock formations created by nature, the "magnetic rocks" that disrupt compasses, and the "Uriwari no Mizu" spring with its fresh, clear water. The island offers a chance to experience the untouched beauty of nature and the mysterious energy of the land.

Oshima
Address: Anto, Mikuni-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture

For VVIP Special Tour Guidance

In addition, we offer exclusive experience tours available only to a select few. Please contact us for more details.

Tour Operator: Fukui Hitomono Design Co., Ltd.
Reception Contacts: Kato, Hayashi
Contact Email: fhmd001@fukuihmd.co.jp
Company Website: https://www.fukuihmd.co.jp/tourism/

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.