Staying at Hoshino Resorts KAI Kinugawa | The Charm of Hot Springs and Cuisine Enjoying Mashiko Ware and Kanuma Kumiko Craftsmanship

Hello everyone. This is Haru.

Staying at Hoshino Resorts KAI Kinugawa allows you to experience traditional crafts and the bounty of nature at the same time. Mashiko ware pottery and Kanuma Kumiko woodwork add a refined touch to the space.
The hot springs are surrounded by seasonal scenery, allowing you to relax your mind.
The cuisine makes use of local ingredients, and the pottery and presentation are also full of charm.
Furthermore, you can see the steam locomotive turntable at Kinugawa-Onsen Station, which makes for a special memory of your trip.
This time, I will introduce the charm of the hot springs, cuisine, crafts, and sightseeing that I felt through my stay.

This is the third part of my Nikko trip.

The special charm felt when staying at Hoshino Resorts KAI Kinugawa

The presence of Mashiko ware pottery breathing in the guest rooms and the facility

At KAI Kinugawa, Mashiko ware pottery is placed throughout the facility.
At breakfast, traditional Tochigi dishes such as "Shimotsukare" and "Tamari-zuke" are served in Mashiko ware.
The simple, unadorned texture highlights the colors of the food and creates a pleasant dining moment.
Mashiko ware is also incorporated into the decorations in the guest rooms and throughout the facility, adding warmth to the entire stay.

Traditional beauty created by Kanuma Kumiko craftsmanship

For the "Tochigi Mingei Japanese Breakfast," Kanuma Kumiko wooden boxes are used.
The scent of cypress drifts faintly, and the intricate geometric patterns beautifully color the dining table. Kumiko, assembled using traditional techniques without nails, exudes an exceptional presence as a craft with 400 years of history.

High-quality hospitality unique to Hoshino Resorts

KAI Kinugawa is a hot spring inn located at one of the Kanto region's most famous hot springs.
Located facing the Kinugawa mountain stream, the service that values harmony with nature is its charm.
The hospitality that utilizes local traditional crafts is a special experience that can only be tasted here.

A hot spring experience where you can fully enjoy the nature of Kinugawa

An open-air bath where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons

From the large glass-walled public bath, you can enjoy the changing seasons of the Kinugawa River.
In the open-air bath, you can feel a sense of unity with nature while listening to the murmuring of the river.
The scenery heals the soul with its different expressions each season: fresh green in spring, deep green in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter.

First of all, a pleasant surprise is that the journey from the hotel entrance to the front desk is by slope car. It's like a cable car for a few people that doesn't have an incline.

The warmth and healing of wood felt in the indoor bath

The indoor bath is designed to let you feel the warmth of wood.
The quality of the Kinugawa Onsen water is gentle on the skin and removes fatigue from the core.
The time spent soaking in the hot water in a quiet space makes you forget the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Thoughtful touches to make your time at the hot spring more comfortable

The hot spring facility is equipped with meticulous care to ensure a comfortable stay.
From clean and spacious changing rooms and high-quality towels to relaxation areas where you can unwind after your bath, there are thoughtful touches everywhere to enhance your satisfaction during your stay.

Enjoying cuisine that makes the most of local ingredients

Colorful kaiseki cuisine served on Mashiko ware

Mashiko ware vessels are used effectively in the dinner kaiseki course.
Dishes that make the most of seasonal Tochigi ingredients combine with the rustic texture of the pottery to create an elegant flavor.
Local vegetables, river fish, wild plants, and other seasonal ingredients are carefully prepared.

Seasonal menus where you can taste the flavors of Tochigi

You can enjoy ingredients unique to Tochigi each season, such as wild plants in spring, river fish in summer, mushrooms in autumn, and root vegetables in winter.

Thoughtful presentation and vessels that enhance the deliciousness

The rustic nature of Mashiko ware is utilized in the presentation of the dishes.
Effort is put into highlighting the natural beauty of the ingredients so that they can be enjoyed with the eyes as well. You can feel the chef's dedication in everything from the choice of vessels to the plating.

Signature Dishes and Recommended Menu

The "Tochigi Mingei Japanese Breakfast" is especially recommended.
You can enjoy Tochigi's local dish "Shimotsukare" and local pickles "Tamari-zuke" served in Mashiko-yaki pottery.
The food served in Kanuma Kumiko wooden boxes is visually beautiful and makes for a memorable part of your trip.

The Shimotsukare is in the small blue dish to the right of the natto.
The pickles are below the yogurt. The one on the left was Tamari-zuke, and the one on the right was a pickled plum.
There is also shredded kanpyo (dried gourd strips) inside the yogurt.

The Fusion of Hoshino Resorts KAI Kinugawa and Traditional Crafts

Techniques and Historical Background of Kanuma Kumiko

The techniques of Kanuma Kumiko were passed down by craftsmen gathered from all over the country during the construction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine in the early Edo period.
It is a technique that creates geometric patterns by precisely assembling wood without using a single nail. Kanuma is blessed with high-quality wood such as cedar and cypress, and the techniques have been passed down for 400 years.
Hearing the explanation above, I felt it was "just like a modern plastic model kit."
This is because the process of assembling parts to create a finished product is similar to modern plastic models.
Nikko and Kunozan also became places where craftsmen gathered from all over the country, and techniques and cultures intersected, triggered by the construction of Toshogu shrines.
Kanuma Kumiko was also born in the flow of such history and remains a symbol of Japanese woodworking technology today.
Kumiko is a traditional craft that requires advanced skills and many years of experience, and each piece is carefully made by the hands of craftsmen.

Harmony of Crafts and Modern Design Felt Through the Accommodation Experience

At KAI Kinugawa, traditional crafts blend naturally into the modern space.
Kanuma Kumiko wooden boxes and Mashiko-yaki pottery harmonize with the sophisticated interior design, creating a new aesthetic sense.
The exquisite balance of tradition and innovation enhances the charm of the inn.

Watching the SL Turntable Demonstration at Kinugawa-Onsen Station

A popular tourist spot you can stop by during your trip

The turntable installed in the square in front of Kinugawa-Onsen Station is a popular spot where you can see the SL Taiju up close.
It is located in a place where you can easily stop by before or after your stay.
The work on the turntable is very impressive and can be enjoyed even if you are not a railway fan.

Highlights of the impressive SL turning scene

The turning work of the SL Taiju on the turntable is a masterpiece scene.
Watching the heavy steam locomotive slowly change direction is truly the real thrill of railways.
The billowing steam and the sound of the locomotive make you feel like you have traveled back in time.
On this day, the SL Taiju No. 5 arrived at Kinugawa-Onsen Station at 14:06.
I think you can see it around 14:30.

Summary of the trip spent at Hoshino Resorts KAI Kinugawa

An accommodation experience where you can enjoy hot springs, cuisine, crafts, and sightseeing all at once

A stay at KAI Kinugawa is a luxurious experience where you can enjoy the healing of hot springs, cuisine made with local ingredients, the beauty of traditional crafts, and the fun of railway sightseeing all at once. The time spent in a space woven by Mashiko-yaki and Kanuma Kumiko becomes a special moment that makes you forget your daily life.