Sanyo-so Ryokan in Izu: Savor Japan's Seasons and Cultural Experiences

Sanyo-so: Experience Nature and Japanese Culture in Izu

Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

Located on the Izu Peninsula, Sanyo-so is a luxury ryokan known for its vast Japanese garden inspired by the landscapes of Kyoto. It's an ideal retreat for those looking to experience Japan's beautiful nature and hot springs.

Sanyo-so offers a variety of accommodation plans that let guests enjoy the changing seasons or take part in cultural events and activities on-site. These experiences provide a deeper look into Japanese culture.

*The exclusive 5% discount for a stay at Sanyo-so is visible on the reservation page only after you select your dates.

Below, we introduce accommodation plans that feature nature- and season-related events and activities.

• Table of Contents
• Relish the Four Seasons in Sanyo-so Garden
• Autumn Stays: Stunning Foliage Coloring the Garden
• Winter Stays: Enjoy the Luxury of Winter Retreats
• Spring and Summer Stays: Charm That Shouldn't Be Missed!
• Geisha Entertainment and Other Cultural Activities

Relish the Four Seasons in Sanyo-so Garden

Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

One of Sanyo-so's main attractions is its beautiful Japanese garden, which was designed in the late 1920s by Ogawa Jihei, a master garden landscaper from Kyoto. This shakkei-style garden skillfully recreates a sprawling landscape in miniature.

Shakkei, or "borrowed scenery," is a technique that integrates distant landscapes into the garden's design to create a more expansive view. At Sanyo-so, the mountain range to the east is incorporated into the garden, designed to resemble Kyoto's Higashiyama mountains.

With its pond, streams, small bridges, and stone lanterns, the garden's layout is meticulously crafted to evoke the atmosphere of Kyoto, offering guests a feeling of traveling to the ancient capital.

Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

The garden offers seasonal beauty throughout the year, making each visit unique. In spring, it comes alive with plum and cherry blossoms, while early summer brings fresh greenery, creating relaxing strolls through the dappled sunlight.

During the summer, the garden is filled with the sound of cicadas, and an evening walk among the lantern lights becomes an unforgettable experience.

Autumn offers the sound of crickets and the stunning red foliage of maple trees—a sight best enjoyed at leisure, away from the crowds.

Even in winter, the garden is beautiful, with its many evergreen trees and camellia bushes, and the crisp air invites long, refreshing walks.

*The exclusive 5% discount for a stay at Sanyo-so is visible on the reservation page only after you select your dates.

Autumn Stays: Stunning Foliage Coloring the Garden

Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

As autumn deepens, the expansive garden of Sanyo-so is wrapped in vividly colored foliage like a brocade picture. From mid-November to early December, you can enjoy the beautiful gradients woven by various trees with every stroll.

The clear blue of the sky reflected in the pond, the white spray of the waterfall, and the deep green of the moss—each color overlaps to create a breathtaking sight.

Sanyo-so's chefs incorporate the rich harvest unique to this season in cuisine, offering Kaiseki courses that mirror the autumn colors. Through all five senses, you can savor the deepening of autumn.

Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

In the mild, pleasant autumn weather, Sanyo-so holds special events.

For example, in early October, there was “Moonlit Melodies: Jazz Night at Sanyo-so,” held to coincide with the mid‑autumn full moon.

Set against the main building—a nationally registered tangible cultural property—jazz performed in the garden was especially moving. With a drink in hand, guests were swept away by the music in an unforgettable evening.

Sanyo-so also holds seasonal exhibitions and events throughout the year. Alongside the garden’s changing scenery through the four seasons, please keep an eye out for the latest event announcements.

Winter Stays: Enjoy the Luxury of Winter Retreats

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In the deepening cold, we recommend a special accommodation plan themed around luxurious winter retreats, where you can fully enjoy Japan’s unique winter warmth and flavors.

This plan is available in the new wing’s guest suites. The rooms are furnished with kotatsu (table heaters), allowing you to spend a leisurely winter moment wrapped in traditional warmth.

Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

Your stay begins with a treat: the luxurious Tenku no Matcha® Fondue served at the kotatsu (table heater). Dip marshmallows and fruit into warm matcha‑flavored chocolate — a winter-only sweet experience that warms both heart and body.

*Image for illustration purposes. Pictures courtesy of Sanyo-so

At dinner, you'll enjoy the Rikyu Course in the comfort of your room.

This refined Kaiseki meal is prepared with great care by the head chef, placing seasonal ingredients center stage to express the changing of the four seasons.

With delicate techniques that draw out each ingredient’s natural flavors, visually beautiful presentation, enticing aromas, and pleasant textures, this Kaiseki course delivers a blissful experience to be enjoyed with all five senses.

Sanyo-so’s large public bath. Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

The true pleasure of a winter stay is, without a doubt, the hot spring baths. Soaking while gazing over the garden offers a blissful moment that warms you to your core.

Enjoy Sanyo-so’s exceptional onsen water to your heart’s content in the room's private flowing hot-spring baths, the charming large public bath, and the open-air rotenburo.

The 5% MATCHA discount cannot be applied to the Sanyo-so special winter stay plan.

Spring and Summer Stays: Charm That Shouldn't Be Missed!

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In spring, accommodation plans themed around the garden’s cherry blossoms and azaleas are offered. These are usually announced on the official website around January each year, so if you’re considering a spring stay, be sure to check for them.

Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

When it comes to summer, festivals, fireworks, and the experience of sitting on the engawa (veranda) while fanning yourself with a uchiwa to cool off are indispensable in Japan.

Sanyo-so also offers special accommodation plans that let you experience that quintessential summer scenery. Details are scheduled to be announced on the official website around April. If you are planning a summer holiday in Japan, don’t miss them.

*The exclusive 5% discount for a stay at Sanyo-so is visible on the reservation page only after you select your dates.

Geisha Entertainment and Other Cultural Activities

Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

For guests who want a firsthand experience of Japanese culture, Sanyo-so offers an accommodation plan that includes traditional geisha entertainment.

Izu Nagaoka Onsen, a historic hot spring resort, has a long-established geisha culture. The geiko performers are often invited to perform dances at local ryokan and also hold public performances at cultural centers in town.

Sanyo-so offers an exclusive accommodation plan that includes a seasonal kaiseki dinner course along with Ozashiki-asobi, a traditional form of geisha entertainment. This is a unique opportunity to interact with the geisha and appreciate their skills in dance, music, and entertainment.

Picture courtesy of Sanyo-so

Sanyo-so also offers other opportunities to experience traditional Japanese culture, such as occasional Bunraku puppet theater performances on the stage of its dining facility Yuho, and tea ceremony experiences that can be booked upon request.

If you are interested in these, please inquire with the staff directly when you make your booking.

The 5% MATCHA discount cannot be applied to the Ozashiki-asobi plan.

Stay at Sanyo-so to Fully Enjoy Japan's Nature and Culture

The activities mentioned above provide a glimpse of what you can enjoy at Sanyo-so beyond the relaxing hot springs and delicious cuisine.

From the Japanese garden to the nearby Izu Panorama Park, as well as special events and cultural performances, a stay at Sanyo-so will enhance your trip to Japan with memorable experiences and unforgettable views.

*The exclusive 5% discount for a stay at Sanyo-so is visible on the reservation page only after you select your dates.

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