HOSHINOYA Tokyo was born in the heart of Tokyo as a ``Japanese inn with a tower'' that evolves to match the modern times. I went through a special program called ``Deep Breathing Regimen'' for 2 days and 3 nights. In the second experience report, we will introduce [Spa Treatment], [Hot Spring], and [Gourmet].
[Spa treatment]
"Spa treatment" that you can receive twice during your stay
On the first day, I was enchanted by the gentle treatment using warmed jade.
In the ``Deep Breathing Regimen'', spa treatments will be performed twice over 2 days and 3 nights, 1 minutes after dinner on the first day and 60 minutes before dinner on the second day. Both have different menus depending on the program. I was able to receive a second spa treatment during my stay. It's very luxurious.
On the first night, you will receive a treatment using jade stones. Start by choosing your favorite scent from 3 types of aroma oils. What I liked was the oil blended with eucalyptus, which has a refreshing and refreshing scent. The treatment on the first day was arranged after dinner, so I was able to receive it while lying on my back. I understand that lying on your stomach puts pressure on your stomach after eating.
Lie down in the treatment room with the lights dimmed and begin by taking slow, deep breaths. Surrounded by the faint scent of aroma oil, you will notice that your breathing naturally deepens. The jade, warmed up by the hot water, slides over your arms, shoulders, and décolletage with gentle pressure, relaxing your body and mind with its warmth and smooth texture. At the same time, I also feel as if the energy of the ore permeates my body and recharges me.
A treatment room with a neat white shoji screen. There are two luxurious rooms with plenty of space. (Top photo)
Three types of oil are available. Have them apply oil on the back of their hands and choose the oil depending on their mood that day. (Photo below)
Jade used for treatment on the first night. As the jade warmed with hot water slides over your skin along with the oil, you will feel your body relaxing. (Top photo)
Leaf balls are Hoshinoya Tokyo's own version of herbal balls, which are common in Asian spas. The scent of mugwort has a nostalgic feel that makes you feel sleepy during the treatment. (Photo below)
Enjoy the luxury of 90 minutes of authentic body care while warming your body in a hot spring.
Original blend leaf ball treatment
On the second day, after warming your body sufficiently in the hot springs, you will have the luxury of receiving a 2-minute body treatment.
The day started by selecting an oil that matched my mood. On the second day, I chose a scent that reminded me of the warmth of a fireplace, which was blended with cinnamon. You can see how your senses will change during your stay by looking at the different oil selections.
The second day's treatment involves lightly hitting your body with a ``yougyoku'' (leaf ball), which is made by shaping steamed seasonal plants into the size of your fist and wrapping them in cloth. HOSHINOYA Tokyo seems to have created a herbal ball that is often seen at spas in Asia with a unique twist. The inside of the bowl contains mugwort and mochi powder, giving it a unique aroma of smoked mugwort and the chewy texture of mochi powder.
First, lie face down and look from behind. Carefully press the warm leaf beads gently and rhythmically onto areas where you tend to feel stiffness, such as your back and shoulders. Of course, it's a blissful time where your legs, décolletage, and arms are thoroughly treated. Both spa sessions were all-hand oil treatments. The aroma of vegetable oils will help you take deep breaths.
The second day's treatment involves tapping lightly with a leaf ball. The pleasant vibrations seem to relieve muscle tension.
【Onsen】
What does weightlessness feel like?
Have Otemachi Onsen all to yourself
Experience the feeling of floating like never before at a private hot spring
2Before your next spa treatment, you will have 30 minutes of private hot spring time. The natural hot spring that gushes out from 1500 meters underground has a high salt concentration and contains a lot of minerals from seawater and seaweed. Bend the floating pole like a pillow, place the back of your neck and arms spread out on it, stretch your entire body, submerge yourself in the hot water, and take deep breaths. When I took a deep breath, what was that? When you breathe, your body rises to the surface of the water, and when you exhale, it slowly sinks, starting with your feet. It was a strange feeling that I had never experienced before. What does weightlessness feel like? It's a floating feeling that makes you think. And it was at that moment that I once again realized that breathing is taking air into the body, something that is obvious when you think about it.
Otemachi Onsen has a light brown color. It is gentle on the skin and very warm. The Tokyo sky stretches far above the open-air bath. Time passes quickly as you float around looking up at the square-shaped sky. (Top photo) photo by Natsuko Okada (Studio Mug)
The inside of the bathroom is just the right amount of darkness, which makes it feel comfortable for some reason. Leave your body in the light brown Otemachi hot springs and feel like you are in another world. (Photo below)
[Gourmet]
The special menu focuses on ingredients that strengthen immunity.
Be kind to your body forever
Dinner on the first day is "soy milk hotpot." Enjoy white wood ear fungus, tofu, mushrooms, etc. in a hot pot of plenty of soy milk. The main ingredients are ingredients that boost lung function and immunity. I'm also happy that there are plenty of condiments such as ginger, green onion, and Japanese pepper. I have a spa treatment coming up after dinner, so I decided to keep it a little more modest. Still, I feel that the deep, gentle nourishment of soy milk permeates my body after undergoing a "body makeover."
Lunch on the second day includes over 30 types of vegetable-based dishes served on many small plates and brought to your room. It also comes with ginger soup. I counted 2 small plates. I suddenly thought that it was based on the 24 solar terms. Butterbur, myoga, pumpkin, fava beans... All of our vegetable dishes are made to take advantage of the flavor of the ingredients and add a little extra effort to them, all of which are good for your body.
The ingredients and dish name were written on the wooden plate part hidden by the small plate. It is a device that lets you know the name of the dish by moving the small plate. You can also have a bit of fun guessing the ingredients and matching the answers after eating.
Incorporating French essence into traditional Japanese food culture
"Nippon Cuisine - Gathering of Gourmet Food"
For dinner on the second day, we finished our second spa treatment and headed to the dining room on the first basement floor. The items named ``Nippon Cuisine - A Gathering of Gourmet Food'' are course meals that incorporate the essence of French cuisine into traditional Japanese food culture. Chef Ryosuke Oka's interpretation of the food culture of various parts of Japan, inspired by the ``sankin-tatai system'' that played a role in bringing ingredients from all over Japan to Edo, has resulted in dishes that you would never guess from the familiar names of dishes. Masu.
For example, "bonito tataki". The combination of neatly cut straw-grilled lean meat and pureed sauce of garlic and chives is a delicate and beautiful arrangement rather than a bold one. When you put it in your mouth, the fragrant flavor of the straw-grilled bonito and the garlic and chive puree bring out the texture of the bonito.
The dessert ``Ikinari Dango'' is said to be the name of a local sweet from Kumamoto. At first glance, it looks like a baked confectionery with matcha ice cream on top... The staff explained to me that gyuhi, which is made with dried sweet potatoes and amazake, was arranged in the style of Baba au Rum, a traditional French sweet. What I thought was matcha was mugwort ice cream.
What I realized after experiencing the "deep breathing regimen".
That is the importance of developing healthy habits
If you were to ask me if my physical condition changed dramatically after experiencing the 2-night, 3-day program, unfortunately, that was not the case. However, I have started to pay more attention to ``breathing,'' something I had not paid much attention to before. I try to take even just a few deep breaths whenever I feel like it, whether it's on my couch at home, in bed before bed, or sometimes while riding the train. I am also reviewing the movements I learned in ``Body Makeover'' and ``Deep Breath Stretching'' while remembering them at home. The ``deep breathing regimen'' was an invaluable first step in teaching me the importance of developing the habits of living a healthy life.
Also, I was able to spend time in Otemachi, the center of Tokyo, staying at home for 2 nights and 3 days, where I could take care of my mind and body while receiving the hospitality of a Japanese inn. It is certain that that time was the most luxurious experience ever.
I thought of this once again as I was soothed at home by the scent of aromas tailored to my taste during the "Fragrance Blending Experience."
◆Hoshinoya Tokyo “Deep breathing regimen”
This time I tried HOSHINOYA Tokyo's original 2-night, 3-day spa program, ``Deep Breathing Regimen.'' This is a program that incorporates HOSHINOYA Tokyo's desire to help you get away from your everyday life, enjoy something extraordinary, and take a breather to help balance your mind and body, which tend to be disturbed. It is an experience where you can escape from everyday life and feel like you have gone to a hot spring inn in a faraway place.
・Holding period: All year round
・Price: 1 yen per person (tax and service charge included) *Accommodation fee not included
・Included: Spa treatment (2 times), body makeover, deep breathing stretch, scent blending experience, dinner (2 times), breakfast (2 times), lunch (1 time), rental wear
・Reservation method: Reservations accepted up to 14 days in advance on the official website
・Capacity: 1 party of 1 - XNUMX people
・Eligibility: Guests staying at Hoshinoya Tokyo
text by Sakurako Miyao
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