When you hear the name Hakone, one cannot help but picture the area's breathtaking natural landscapes, its shimmering blue lake, and the multitude of luxurious ryokan that grace one of Japan's most renowned areas for wellness. Every year, millions embark on a journey into the picturesque countryside of Kanagawa Prefecture to immerse themselves in the revitalizing and regenerative waters of the geothermal springs found there, which have been welcoming visitors in need of some rest and relaxation since ancient times.
What many people may not know is that there is a treasure trove of special and unique destinations all around Kanagawa Prefecture that one can experience before arriving in Hakone. From the sacred temples of Kamakura to the charming waterfront district of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture is home to some of Japan’s best-kept secrets that are just waiting to be unveiled.
Enoura Observatory
The brainchild of the world-renowned contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, the Enoura Observatory is a relatively new addition to the one-of-a-kind luxury experiences available on the way to Hakone from Tokyo. Opened in 2017 by the Odawara Art Foundation, this amazing venue overlooking Sagami Bay in Odawara is the pinnacle of integrating Japanese architectural and garden design concepts to birth something wholly unique.
Combining an art gallery, a stone stage, an optical glass stage, a tea house, a garden, and several other structures and objects collected by Sugimoto from far and wide, the installation is a monument to the fusion of both traditional and modern Japanese artistic aesthetics and design. The pieces carefully assembled by Sugimoto transform the area into a work of art with which you can interact with a higher level.
The facility has been meticulously designed to create points that coincide with the progression of the spring and autumn equinoxes, as well as to capture the light from the sunrise on the summer and winter solstices. The days when these astronomical alignments occur have become times of celebration at the facility, with the Odawara Art Foundation running a raffle to pick lucky people who can witness these events through the lens of artist Sugimoto’s vision.
A few of the other highlights of the Enoura Observatory include the Meigetsu Gate (Full Moon Gate) located at the entrance of the facility that was originally constructed in the Muromachi period (1336-1573) as the front of Meigetsuin Temple in Kamakura. Additionally, there is an Optical Glass Stage aligned to face the sunrise on the winter solstice, which has been used to host several performances in the past, including traditional Japanese Noh theater. Last but not least, the Uchoten (“Listen-to-the-Rain”) Tea House has been designed as a reinterpretation of the classic modest tea house and is oriented to capture the first light of the spring and autumn equinoxes. The name of the tea house, Uchoten, was chosen to evoke the nostalgic feeling of listening to the sound of rain as it pitter-patters on traditional Japanese roofing, creating a sense of comfort and calming happiness for many.
The Enoura Observatory is located roughly an hour and a half from Tokyo by car, making it an ideal stop before lunch for any client being transferred from their accommodation in Tokyo for an overnight stay at one of the many luxury ryokan in Hakone. Entrance to the complex is restricted to a morning admission period (10:00 – 13:00) and an afternoon admission period (13:30 – 16:30). While there are sometimes a limited number of walk-up tickets available for purchase at the facility, there is no guarantee they will be available. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you purchase a reserved ticket in advance, which are available via the official website up to two days before. Due to safety concerns, entrance to the Enoura Observatory is also limited to those twelve years or older.
By special arrangement and subject to availability, an exclusive English-language curator tour of the complex can be arranged. For anyone fascinated by the prospect of delving into this remarkable art installation in the company of one of its foremost experts, this tour offers unique insights that cannot be found anywhere else.
While you are free to stay as long as you like during the admission period for which you have a reservation, most visitors to the facility spend roughly an hour to an hour and a half exploring the grounds and seeing the various structures and works of art. Upon leaving Enoura Observatory, it takes roughly 15 minutes by car to reach Odawara Station, where the shinkansen (bullet train) departs, or thirty-five minutes to reach central Hakone, where most of the ryokan and museums are located.
If you want to experience one of the finest and most creative art installations in all of Japan, the Enoura Observatory comes highly recommended.
Izumibashi Sake Brewery
Ever since their founding in 1857, the Izumibashi Sake Brewery has always had one core belief: “Sake brewing starts with rice growing.” This core belief is what sets Izumibashi Sake Brewery apart from many of their contemporaries, in that, they partner with local rice farmers directly to grow the rice used in the production of their sake, managing all aspects of the process, from the rice field to your cup.
Currently operated by a 6th generation brewery, the staff at Izumibashi are involved in every step of the sake making process. From planting the fields, milling the rice, to the fermentation process in which the koji mold turns the rice mash into alcohol, the staff at Izumibashi Sake Brewery have devoted themselves to becoming experts in each facet of sake creation.
This knowledge and expertise extend to their Junmai sake—a highly polished variety of sake with no added alcohol. Their Junmai sake uses a water that has a high mineral count and that abstains from certain filtering techniques, such as carbon filtering, to help preserve the delicate flavors that epitomize Junmai sake. They also pride themselves on using 100% polished inhouse rice, as well as traditional sake brewing methods. The unique flavor of their Junmai sake also comes from the unique rice varieties they are cultivating, with their current focus being on producing high-quality yields of Yamada-Nishiki, Rakufumai, Shinriki, and Omachi rice to be used in sake creation.
One other unique aspect of the Izumibashi Sake Brewery is their commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly methods of farming to reduce their impact on the local environment; and this respect is no better personified than with the red dragonfly, known as an akatombo, that graces the label of many of their best bottles of sake. The red dragonfly was selected to signify the circle of life that exists within the rice field—where life is born, raised, and eventually is used to seed the next generation that will continue on the cycle. This respect for the rice field and the living beings that inhabit them is a major factor in why Izumibashi has such a strong commitment to low impact farming and for limiting the use of minimal fertilizers and pesticides. They want to ensure that the rice fields and the living beings that reside in them will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
The Izumibashi Sake Brewery is located roughly 1 hour by car from central Tokyo, 40 minutes from central Yokohama, and about an hour from Hakone. Except for some holidays, the brewery and the onsite store, where you can purchase their products, are open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Tastings are available onsite with a terrace to relax. They also have a restaurant in front of Ebina Station where you can experience their products.
The Izumibashi Sake Brewery offers some of the finest Junmai sake in all of Japan, so why not consider a stop there on your next visit?
Final Thoughts
The Enoura Observatory and Izumibashi Sake Brewery are just two of the incredible luxury experiences awaiting you on your way to Hakone. These gems of Kanagawa Prefecture are truly exceptional. However, there are countless more experiences waiting to be discovered. To gain a fuller picture of what Kanagawa Prefecture has to offer, we highly recommend delving into its Premium Collection and uncovering the amazing experiences that are waiting to welcome you upon arrival in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The Enoura Observatory
Kanagawa Premium Collection
Trip Type: Art/Gastronomy
Kanagawa’s Website & SNS
Top image credit ©Odawara Art Foundation
