31.3.09

1200 years

Hello. I'm going to introduce Deyu onsen today.

Deyu onsen, our hot spring, does have a long history.
It's been here more than 1,000 years!

Deyu onsen is located in at the west foot of the Gozu Range.
Deyu onsen is regarded as the oldest spa area in Niigata Prefecture.

An interesting legend has been left in Deyu onsen. According to
the existing oldest record at the Kehoji temple in Deyu, a buddism priest
called Kukai (also known as Kobodaishi, who established Shingonshu sect
in Heian period.) visited Deyu. When he tapped the ground with his stick
in 809, hot water started to spring out. The hotspring has flown out since then.

In 809..... that means, it is 1,200-year anniversary this year! Isn't it
a long history?  

24.3.09

Onsen Ryokan

Hello. I'm going to talk about Onsen Ryokan today.

Onsen Ryokan is a type of accommodation, and it is quite
unique style of accommodation;


"Onsen" stands for "hot spring" and "ryokan" is translated in
"hotel", "Inn" ,or "guest house", I suppose. However, it is a little
bit difficult to translate the word "ryokan" into English, as it is
a unique culture of Japan. So, it would be a good idea to keep it
as it is called.



Basically, at ryokans, they serve 2 meals; dinner and breakfast.
Onsen ryokans have those meals plus hotspring.



A number of Japanese like going to hotsprings and stay
at onsen ryokans. I would say that onsen ryokans can be
a strong motive for travellers as their holiday distanations.



You will discover a lot of traditional culuter in onsen ryokans!
Please come and visit Seikokan!



Traditional Japanese architecture



Wooden bathtub with fresh pure hotspring





Home made meals with fresh local products.
(sorry the photo below was taken in autumn...)


My grandmother and my mother prepare meals
for our guests. The food? Yum yum yum.

19.3.09

Hello from Niigata, Japan


Hello. I'm starting my blog from today!
My family runs a small Japanese style guest house
in Niigata, Japan.

Locating to a mountainside, having a hot spring,
our guests enjoy their holidays here.

I'd like to let you know bits and pieces of Deyu
hot spring and our guest house, Seikokan.