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 In Japan, the
feeling ones feel when soaking in a hot bath is
sometimes unexplainable but magical. There may
be different reasons why we go to go a Japanese
onsen ryokan. One common feeling that most
bathers shared is that the moment you slip into
these steamy hot spring waters, all of our
distracting concerns suddenly seems to have
disappeared from the face of the earth. This is
the magic of a Japanese spa inn. If you
traveling around the Miyahama Onsen region, make
a point to pay a visit to Sekitei. Located on a
hillside overlooking the Inland Sea, this famous
onsen ryokan in Japan is a garden of peace, not
far from a city that bravely stands as an
evidence to the humbling of peace, heiwa,
freedom from the terrible wars. One of the many
attractions why visitors from all over the world
come to Sekitei is its lawns of green, gentle
warm spring waters and the breathtaking view of
the holy island of Miyajima. Miyajima is a sacred
attraction of both Buddhism and Shintoism and is
one of the most
Photo: Sekitei at Ohno-cho
spectacular views in Japan. The
vermilion shrine gate (torii) looks like it is
floating on the waters and the Itsukushima
Shrine on Miyajima has been listed as a national
treasure. Across the water lies the a world that
is distinctly Japanese. A place where a nakai-san
is assigned to care for you during your stay.
Foamy green tea. Hot spring water meditations.
Ritualized routines to quiet, to sooth the mind,
the spirit.
Sekitei, built in 1965, is a quiet
paradise with ten Japanese-style rooms where the
are private bathrooms in seven of the rooms.
This popular onsen ryokan is run by Jyunichi
Ueno whose ancestor has managed to create a
savory dish that is still popular until today.
Called anago-meshi, this delicacy is a rice bowl
topped with sea eel baked in sweet soy sauce.
Another much sought after dish is the wafer-thin
sliced raw fugu, blowfish, oysters, sea urchin
which are together with the locally harvested
vegetables. Ryokan guests are served dinner and
breakfast in the comfort of their rooms but they
can choose to eat in a specially designed
banquet room. To add to your eating pleasure,
guest can have a cup of coffee or tea in a
beautifully landscaped garden overlooking the
ocean.
The real reason
travelers make their trip to Sekitei are the
five communal hot springs located here. Two are
indoor, one each for men and women, while the
other three are located outdoors. Some of the
decorations used to beautify this famous spa inn
include waves of Zen raked stones, expansive
green grass and walls of sliding latticed paper.
Sculptural paper lanterns are lit to give the
place a romantic atmosphere and leads you to
fragile beauty and luxurious peace. For guests
who are flying in from Haneda Airport, the
journey will take about ninety minutes to reach
Hiroshima Airport. Once you arrived, catch a cab
to Miyahama. Getting to Sekitei will take you
about fifteen minutes if you are traveling from
the Miyajimaguchi Pier Terminal. This onsen
guide will help you to choose from some of the
best hot baths and spa in Japan and to maximize
your spa experience.
Located at :
Miyahama Onsen,
Ohno-cho, Saeki-gun,
Hiroshima-ken
739-0454,
Japan.
Telephone :
81 (0)829 55 0601
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