Matsuzakaya Honten is a long-established Japanese traditional hot spring inn in Ashino-yu in Hakone, one of the most famous hot springs areas located in Kanagawa Prefecture. Celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2022, Matsuzakaya was depicted in the work of Utagawa Hiroshige, a master of ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition in the Edo period (1603-1868). Known as a place where historical figures from the Meiji era (1868-1912) such as Kido Takayoshi and Saigo Takamori have visited, the traditional inn to this day continues to be appreciated by many guests including members of Japan’s Imperial Family.
Ashino-yu is the only hot spring in Kanagawa that has been designated as a National Hot Spring Health Resort for its fine-quality hot spring waters. Matsuzaka’s onsen is 100% free-flowing natural hot spring waters that constantly gush out 200 liters per minute from the source with crystals of natural minerals known as “yunohana (literally “hot spring flower”). It also contains all of the three major water qualities for beautiful skin, namely, sulfur, sulfate and bicarbonate springs.
This inn has 22 guest rooms in total including 10 rooms with indoor open-air bath. There are also five privately reserved open-air baths available. Matsukaza offers an all-inclusive package—still rare for a traditional Japanese inn—which comes with kaiseki dinner and breakfast as well as unlimited drinks including non-alcoholic drinks, Japanese sake and beer in the room, lounge and restaurant. Enjoy the heartfelt omotenashi offered by the 30 staff members including 15 foreign nationals.