Izu: Tofuya Resort & Spa
Alongside the Yoshina River in Izu, Shizuoka, is Tofuya, a Japanese style resort with a history that dates back 400 years. It’s often considered one of the top modern luxury ryokans in the Izu and Atami areas.
The resort now spans a vast area of about 29 acres, or 120,000 square meters. Because of this, it never feels crowded even if it’s fully booked. Despite covering such a big space, each part of the resort is clean and well maintained.
How to get there
The best way to get to the Izu Yoshina Onsen area, where the resort is located, is by car. Resort staff will greet you at the driveway and valet park your car for you.
If you’re traveling by train, the closest station is Shuzenji Station. From there, a taxi would be best.
Taishokan-Hosen building
The experience at Tofuya Resort & Spa Izu is almost like being immersed in an Edo Period Japanese town. The buildings are mixed but tend to be on the more “traditional” side, and there are many open spaces to walk in.
At check-in, the staff will let you choose a yukata of your choice. Unlike some other ryokans, there are multiple designs that range from simple to colorfully designed ones.
Kurashiki warehouse villa suites
Kurashiki villa suites illuminated at night
Lounge
Lounge
The lounge, located on the Taishokan-Hosen building’s first floor, spreads across a few rooms.
In the center near the entrance is a counter of snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine that’s included in your stay. Guests can take what they want, head over to a seat and relax.
Drink and snack area of the lounge
Room at the lounge
Room at the lounge
Hall area at the lounge
Rooms
The room we stayed in was a villa suite type that was near the Yoshina River. Located inside of a kurashiki style Japanese warehouse building, the room was 2 floors and featured 3 beds (1 in the main living area, 2 upstairs). It totaled about 72㎡ and is meant for 2-4 people.
There are outdoor spaces both on the first floor as well as a private onsen bath tub and balcony on the second floor.
For this room, prices will depend on the season but is like to start at around 40,000 JPY per person, including meals.
Toiletries such as toothbrushes, combs, razor etc. are provided, as well as free soft drinks, tea and capsule coffee.
Main area of the villa suite room
Sofa and TV area of the villa suite room
Bathroom and balcony in the villa suite room
Private onsen bath in the villa suite
The Hot Springs
There are multiple pubic onsen hot spring baths at Tofuya Resort & Spa. The two that I used were set alongside the Yoshina River.
One was fully outdoors, including the washing area, and had a more natural feel to it. The bath itself was big, providing a lot of personal space.
The other had a Japanese style to it and was open to the outdoors but enclosed with a roof.
These baths alternate between men and women each day, so guests can try out both of them during your stay.
Public outdoor onsen hot spring bath
Semi-outdoor onsen bath
Dining
Like most ryokan stays, Japanese kaiseki meals were included. Tofuya Resort & Spa’s meals are served in both a dining hall as well as the second floor of the Taishokan-Hosen building, depending on which meal type you choose. For breakfast and dinner, there are Japanese and Western meal options.
The Japanese-style dinner was amazing. We opted to get the upgraded version, and it included dishes such as a sushi and sashimi platter, kinmedai (a type of red snapper), Wagyu yakiniku and a lot more. It was incredibly filling and delicious.
We chose to go for the Western breakfast to experience eating in the Taishokan-Hosen building. While I don’t have experience eating the Japanese breakfast here, I think that’d be the better option for most.
The main attraction of the Western breakfast is that it features bread from their popular bakery, however we didn’t feel that it was that good.
Overall, our stay at Tofuya Resort & Spa Izu was great. It’s a real gem on the Izu peninsula and a resort that I’d recommend to anybody looking to getaway and relax in a luxurious Japanese environment.
Outside of the lobby area
Keep in touch:
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