- 🌼 arcana izu – A 10-Year Return to a Beloved Ryokan in Yugashima, Izu
- 📝 Basic Information
- 🏡 A Familiar Room, Filled with Nostalgia
- ♨️ A Private Open-Air Bath in Winter Requires Determination
- 🛏 A Pillow Mishap and a Stiff Neck
- 🌬 An Honest Review of the Air Conditioning and Dryness
- 🚪 The Bathroom Layout May Divide Opinions
- 🌙 Arrival Time and the River View
- 🍽 Coming Up Next: The Unforgettable Meals
🌼 arcana izu – A 10-Year Return to a Beloved Ryokan in Yugashima, Izu
I thought I had stayed here just a few years ago.
But when I asked the staff, I learned that my previous visit was actually ten years ago.
I remembered liking this place so much and thinking, I must come back someday.
And yet, time slipped by far more quickly than I realized.
Feeling a slight chill at how fast those years had passed, I was finally given the chance to return.
That place is arcana izu, located in Yugashima Onsen, Izu.
This was my second stay, ten years after the first.
The arcana izu in my memory, and the arcana izu of today.
What has changed, and what has remained the same—
I would like to share both, honestly.
📝 Basic Information
| Property Name | arcana izu |
|---|---|
| Location | 1662 Yugashima, Izu City, Shizuoka, Japan |
| Area | Izu / Yugashima Onsen |
| Opened | Around 2006 (approx. 19 years) |
| Number of Rooms | 16 suites |
| Room Highlights | All rooms include a private open-air bath with free-flowing hot spring water; no televisions |
| Hot Spring | Yugashima Onsen (free-flowing natural spring) |
| Dining | Creative cuisine inspired by French techniques (served in the dining room) |
| Check-in | From 3:00 PM (in-room check-in) |
| Check-out | By 11:00 AM |
| Access | Approx. 30 minutes by car from Shuzenji Station |
| Notable Features | A nature-immersed design and a quiet, adults-only style retreat |
🏡 A Familiar Room, Filled with Nostalgia
This time, I stayed in the same room type as during my previous visit.
The moment I opened the door, a sense of familiarity returned—
Ah yes, this is how it felt.
White plaster-style walls (technically wallpaper), dark wooden furniture.
The space is minimal and clean, yet warm and comforting.
One of the defining features of this ryokan is the absence of a television.
Instead, the sound of the river flows gently outside, and nature quietly fills the room.
I personally don’t watch much TV, so it didn’t bother me at all.
But it did make me wonder how guests who love television might feel about such a space.
♨️ A Private Open-Air Bath in Winter Requires Determination
The washroom features double sinks and is very convenient to use.
And of course, the private open-air bath is fed by free-flowing hot spring water.
However—it was winter.
Since the bath is located on the terrace, stepping outside after undressing is very cold.
That brief moment requires real determination. (laughs)
The water temperature was perfect—not too hot, not too warm.
I was told that the surface might cool due to the cold air and that I should stir the water before bathing,
but in my case, it was fine without doing so.
The bathtub itself is spacious enough for two adults.
Because the water is clear, it might look gentle at first glance—but don’t underestimate it.
I soaked several times during my stay, and the result was…
frequent bathroom trips every hour, including during the night. (sweat)
I tend to become prone to frequent urination when I soak in hot springs, and this was a very honest reaction from my body.
🛏 A Pillow Mishap and a Stiff Neck
The bed itself was very comfortable.
But this time, the problem was entirely my fault.
Lately, I’ve been requesting buckwheat-hull pillows wherever I stay.
This time, I forgot to make that request and thought, It should be fine.
It wasn’t.
The pillow didn’t suit my neck at all, and I woke up the next day with a stiff neck.
I really messed up. (sigh)
Between the frequent bathroom trips and the pillow issue, I couldn’t say I slept well.
Still, my affection for this ryokan never faded.
🌬 An Honest Review of the Air Conditioning and Dryness
arcana izu has been operating for nearly 19 years.
Perhaps because of that, the air conditioning feels quite different from the finely tuned systems found in modern city hotels.
The air became extremely dry, and while relaxing in the room,
my facial skin felt completely parched. (laughs)
Although the room is equipped with an air purifier with a humidifier function,
it simply wasn’t powerful enough for such a large space.
I requested an additional humidifier, which was kindly brought to the room.
However, when used together with the air conditioner, even two humidifiers couldn’t fully counteract the dryness.
At night, I turned off the air conditioner and ran both humidifiers.
Only then did the humidity finally feel stable.
If you’re sensitive to dry air, I highly recommend requesting extra humidifiers without hesitation.
🚪 The Bathroom Layout May Divide Opinions
One point worth noting is the restroom design.
There is no door separating the toilet from the washroom.
For long-term couples, this may not be an issue.
But for newer couples, sounds or odors might become a concern.
It’s something that’s helpful to know in advance.
🌙 Arrival Time and the River View
We arrived around 4:00 PM on a winter day.
By then, it was already dark, and the river view was difficult to enjoy.
If you want to fully appreciate the river scenery and natural light in winter,
arriving earlier is definitely recommended.
After arrival, we were guided directly to our room, where check-in was completed.
Tea and sweets were served promptly, and our quiet, unhurried stay began.
🍽 Coming Up Next: The Unforgettable Meals
Ten years ago—and again this time—
one of the strongest reasons this ryokan stayed in my memory is the food.
To be completely honest, the dining experience here is exceptional.
And once again, it exceeded my expectations.
I’ll be writing a dedicated article about the meals next.