2026.02.23
Kai Nagato, a hot spring inn nestled in the mountainous region of northern Yamaguchi Prefecture at Nagato Yumoto Onsen, will offer its “Spring in Full Bloom Stay” package for a limited period from 25 March to 6 April 2026.
Come spring, the cherry trees lining the Otosuzegawa River flowing before Kai Nagato burst into full bloom, colouring the hot spring town in vibrant splendour. This plan has been designed so you can savour these cherished blossoms to your heart’s content, enjoying hanami at any time during your stay. Before dinner, we offer a special moment to savour the murmuring river and cherry blossoms from prime seats on the riverside terrace. Furthermore, this year sees the addition of the “Sakura Wild Tea Ceremony”, allowing you to enjoy the tranquil morning blossoms in private. This plan enhances your hot spring inn stay with the full spirit of springtime flower viewing.
We present our “Night Cherry Blossom Aperitif”, where you may relax and savour the moments before dinner whilst gazing upon the cherry blossoms from our exclusive riverside terrace.
To accompany this aperitif, we have crafted three spring-inspired dishes featuring Yamaguchi Prefecture’s renowned fugu (pufferfish). We present “Fugu Prosciutto”, “Lightly Fried Fugu”, and “Cherry Blossom Mochi with Sea Urchin and Cream Cheese, Incorporating Fugu Paste”, served on Hagi-yaki pottery. Furthermore, as a sake for cherry blossom viewing, we have selected Japanese sake from a brewery in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which pairs beautifully with the delicate flavour of fugu.
At our dining venue, we offer semi-private window seats where you can enjoy your meal while viewing the cherry blossoms. These seats are adorned with cherry-patterned table mats, cherry-shaped chopstick rests, and pink table napkins. In the evening, you can dine whilst admiring the illuminated cherry blossoms along the Otozure River. For dinner, we present a spring kaiseki course featuring ingredients such as lily root shaped like cherry blossoms and salted cherry blossoms. The main dish is Kai Nagato’s signature “Tile-Baked Chicken and Fugu”, inspired by the Yamaguchi prefectural dish “Kawara-yaki”. Finished with citrus juice, it allows you to savour seasonal ingredients enveloped in a refreshing aroma.
Guest rooms are specially prepared with pink cushions and bed runners to heighten the cherry blossom viewing mood. Opening the sliding window panels reveals the cherry trees along the Otoshigawa River stretching out before you, allowing you to enjoy the blossoms in your own private space. Furthermore, during this period, the open-air bath in the main bathhouse is adorned with cherry blossoms. We offer the luxurious experience of bathing in the hot springs while admiring the cherry blossoms.
To allow you to spend a special moment gazing at the cherry blossoms on a quiet morning, we have prepared a prime viewing spot on the Akebono Bridge, directly in front of Kai Nagato. There, you can experience a wild tea ceremony, savouring matcha from the prestigious “Fukagawa Hagi” ware. Fukagawa Hagi is considered particularly prestigious among Hagi ware, cherished by many tea masters since the Edo period. To accompany the matcha, we offer dorayaki filled with sakura-flavoured sweet bean paste, available only during the cherry blossom season. This experience allows you to savour the luxury of admiring the blossoms spread before you, alongside matcha you have prepared yourself.
| Period: | 25 March to 6 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Price: | ¥40,000 per person (based on double occupancy, including tax and service charge) |
| Included: | Accommodation, dinner, breakfast, night-time cherry blossom aperitif, cherry blossom tea ceremony |
| Capacity: | Maximum 2 groups of 4 guests per day |
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Yamaguchi
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Tokyo
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Kyoto
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Osaka
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Wakayama
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Aomori
Culture
Event
The hot spring inn Kai Tsugaru, located in Ōwani Onsen, Aomori Prefecture, will once again host its Tsugaru Nanayuki Kamakura Aperitif event this February, where guests can enjoy Oma tuna and local sake in a traditional snow hut.
Aomori
Event
SAKURA
Hirosaki Park hosts the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival annually from late April to early May. Renowned as one of Japan’s three great night-time cherry blossom views and a sight to behold before you die, this popular spot attracts visitors from around the world to witness the simultaneous blooming of approximately 2,600 cherry trees of 50 varieties. To coincide with the peak snow season, the “Winter Sakura Illumination” will be held from Monday, 1st December 2025 to Saturday, 28th February 2026.
Kumamoto
JP info
Discover newly opened facilities and refurbished establishments in and around Kurokawa Onsen (Minamioguni Town, Kumamoto Prefecture). Each spot lies within a 5-10 minute drive from Kurokawa Onsen town, making them easy to visit between hot spring hopping. From new ventures by long-established inns to cafés nestled in lush satoyama landscapes and restaurants dedicated to local ingredients, these spots brim with diverse appeal. Explore them as fresh ways to enjoy Kurokawa Onsen.
Tochigi
JP info
From October 2025, we shall commence operations of the high-grade chartered coach ‘SPACIA X NIKKO CRUISER’ as a new secondary transport service within the Nikko area. To commemorate the launch, Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd. has planned the ‘SPACIA X NIKKO CRUISER Early Morning Autumn Foliage Viewing Journey’, which will go on sale from Friday, 12 September 2025.
Countrywide
Event
“To Return Alive, To Bring Others Home Alive”
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The destroyer Yukikaze, which served throughout the Pacific War, was renowned for rescuing numerous sailors thrown into the sea during fierce naval battles, surviving to the end of the war virtually unscathed. It earned the legendary moniker “the lucky ship.” This film brings to life the ship’s heroic journey, alongside the lives of those who persevered through one of the most turbulent eras in modern history.
Leading the cast is Yutaka Takenouchi as Captain Kazutoshi Terasawa—a fictional amalgamation inspired by the real-life captains of Yukikaze. Hiroshi Tamaki portrays Petty Officer First Class Kohei Hayase. Supporting roles are delivered by an ensemble of acclaimed actors including Daiken Okudaira, Rena Tanaka, Kanji Ishimaru, and Toru Masuoka. Kiichi Nakai delivers a commanding performance as Vice Admiral Seiichi Itō, the Second Fleet Commander of the IJN who met his fate aboard the battleship Yamato.
In today’s world, once again shaken by division and violence, YUKIKAZE poses an urgent question to those of us living in the peace that others fought to protect: Are we once again treading the path of past mistakes? As collective memory of the war fades, this film becomes ever more vital—a call to reflect on the true value of peace.
Fukuoka
Event
Restaurant
The Takamiya Teien Saryo will hold its popular seasonal event “Summer Lights” from 18 July (Fri) to 11 August (Mon) 2025.A special dinner course, prepared exclusively for Summer Lights, featuring an abundance of seasonal fish and summer vegetables to bring out the coolness of summer. The meal finishes with shaved ice with matcha green tea, a summery treat. Please enjoy the dishes that gently add coolness to your summer evening in a relaxed atmosphere.
