Leave your travel plans to the accommodation: 4 famous inns offering unique experiences

Hotel Cycle (Hiroshima, Onomichi): Bicycle rental plans available. A paradise for cyclists where you can stay with your bike.

Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a city with streets full of historical charm. In 2014, Hotel Cycle opened in this area, where an increasing number of shops and restaurants have been renovated to take advantage of the retro atmosphere. Located inside ONOMICHI U2, an old seaside shipping warehouse renovated, this hotel boasts a sophisticated design. Located close to the Shimanami Kaido, the hotel allows guests to bring their bicycles into the hotel rooms, making it a paradise for cyclists, as its name suggests.

Inside "ONOMICHI U2," there are shopping facilities such as general stores and cafes, making it a place that even non-cyclists can enjoy. Cruise plans and bicycle rental plans are available exclusively to guests staying at the hotel, so why not use it as a base for touring the Setouchi region?

Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic (Shima, Mie): Travel into the world of books at a hotel designed by architect Togo Murano

Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic, located in Shima City, Mie Prefecture, was designed by Japan's leading architect, Togo Murano, and was the first resort hotel in Japan after the war. It is also known for having been used as the setting for the movie "The Magnificent Clan" released in September 1973, and is attractive for its historic and luxurious structure.

The entire building was renovated in June 2016, and was reborn as an international resort hotel with modern designed rooms while retaining its classic appearance. The guest lounge includes a reading room where you can enjoy reading while looking out at the magnificent view of Ago Bay.

The books, selected under the themes of "The Beauty of Japan," "Stories of Ise-Shima and Japan," and "Aesthetic Sense Connecting to the World," were created by book director Haba Masataka. His job is to create encounters between people and books in all sorts of places. This lounge is stocked with photo collections and art books that give a sense of the rich culture and history of Ise-Shima, as well as stories and essays that allow visitors to learn about the history of the land. Guests who have seen everything from Japan and abroad can spend a relaxing time in the extraordinary space of a hotel, encountering a book they would not normally pick up. Staying in the hotel and indulging in a good book. Don't you think a travel plan like this is luxurious?

HOTEL ANTEROOM KYOTO: Produced by sculptor Kohei Nawa and other local creators. A hotel surrounded by artworks

HOTEL ANTEROOM KYOTO is a hotel that conveys the ever-changing "present state of art and culture in Kyoto." It was designed in partnership with creators active mainly in Kyoto and the Kansai area, including the creative group "SANDWICH" led by sculptor Kohei Nawa. In the concept rooms, where modern art and comfortable design come together in harmony, you can spend a relaxing time in a space produced by an artist.

In addition to the guest rooms, the hotel also offers a wide range of facilities, including restaurants and bars. For breakfast, you can enjoy pita bread and smoothies made with plenty of carefully selected vegetables. Live music events are also held regularly in the evenings, so be sure to check them out. The hotel also offers bicycle rentals, making it convenient for sightseeing in Kyoto city. We recommend staying a little longer and "living like a local" in Kyoto.

Satoyama Jyujyo (Minamiuonuma, Niigata): A hot spring inn where you can enjoy the best breakfast in one of Japan's leading rice-producing regions

Satoyama Jyujyo in Minamiuonuma, Niigata Prefecture, is a hot spring inn that proposes new luxury experiences, defining "experience and discovery are true luxury." Surrounded by the rich nature of Satoyama, where various stories unfold with each season, the renovated space of an old house with its strong beams and pillars is filled with furniture by world-renowned designers and contemporary art pieces. The open-air bath with a spectacular view is enough to make it a high-quality hot spring inn, but the greatest attraction of this inn is the "culinary experience that makes you feel the power of nature" in one of Japan's leading rice-producing regions.

Satoyama Jyujyo was opened by an owner who fell in love with Minamiuonuma's land, which is perfect for growing rice. Freshly harvested rice is cooked in a clay pot using the delicious water of Uonuma. The breakfast menu at the in-house restaurant SANABURI is a must-try (reservations must be made the day before). You can enjoy a superb breakfast, including "Vegetable Hot Pot" full of colorful vegetables and Uonuma's local dish "Kirizai."

Satoyama Jyujyo also holds tours from 4pm almost every day, allowing you to experience the nature of Satoyama. In spring, summer and fall, you can walk along the mountain trails while listening to explanations about wild vegetables and wild plant life, and in the snowy winter you can walk across the snowy fields wearing snowshoes. As the inn is located in a rice-growing area, experience events such as rice planting and harvesting are also held regularly. The taste of rice after enjoying the charm of Uonuma with your whole body is sure to be a memorable experience of your trip. It is also accessible from Niigata Airport. Fill your soul with the rich nature of the four seasons.

■ Related articles about accommodation

Experience cutting-edge accommodation in Australia. Eco-friendly travel

Have you seen the words "SDGs (The Sustainable Development Goals)" in magazines or on the Internet recently? These are goals that people all over the world should work towards, adopted at the 2015 United Nations Summit, and the "S" in SDGs stands for "Sustainable." The goal is to preserve the natural environment of the Earth we live on and pass it on to the next generation. In order to realize such a sustainable society, each of us must deepen our understanding of the environment, even if it is a small thing, and "make the most of what we do now."

ontrip.jal.co.jp

■ Bicycle related articles

Going past Hakata! Cycling around Itoshima, Fukuoka, and walking around Karatsu, Saga (Part 1)

Fukuoka Airport is one of the most convenient airports in Japan. From the airport, which is directly connected to the subway, we will visit the popular area of Itoshima. We will then travel further to Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture. We will enjoy the floats of the "Karatsu Kunchi" festival, which is deeply rooted in the quiet town, and the gourmet food we came across on our walk around the town.

ontrip.jal.co.jp

*Some content was updated on September 12, 2019.