“Kamakura Kokon” was opened in 1 as a luxury accommodation facility in Kamakura that accommodates only two groups per day. When I heard that the owner, Daisuke Matsumiya, was planning to open his next hotel for the wealthy in Sengokuhara, Hakone on February 2, 2019, I was curious to see what kind of hotel it would be. In order to find out the full story of the ``Sengokuhara Kokon'' that is being born in Sengokuhara, he visited Matsumiya at ``Kamakura Kokon''.

Speaking of luxury hotels in Kamakura
Aiming to be known as “Kamakura ancient and modern”

Now that the coronavirus pandemic has subsided, the world has started to move forward, and Japan's tourism industry is becoming more and more popular. With the recovery in inbound tourists and the expansion of domestic travel due to the weak yen, foreign hotels are opening one after another in Japan, and the world's money is being invested in Japan, but at the same time, concerns are rising. Are the essence of Japanese culture, tradition, and Japanese services being properly conveyed to the world?Does the world understand the charm of Japan?

Matsumiya worked as a hotelier in Japan for a long time, learned about service at hotels and restaurants for the wealthy, and was involved in the startup and management of hotels for the wealthy. He says that Japan's service is the best in the world, but wonders how Japanese service is these days. Hotels for the wealthy in Japan must also provide top-notch service. We spoke to Matsumiya about the ``Kokin'' brand, which is the best hotel that Matsumiya aims to be.

What is required of a hotel for the wealthy?

``After graduating from university, I got a job at a hotel catering to the wealthy.Even then, I had thought that someday I would like to own my own hotel catering to the wealthy," Matsumiya says. Including "Chateau Restaurant Taillevent Robuchon" and "The Ritz-Carlton Osaka", "Hotel Premiere Minowa" in Lake Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture, "Niki Club" in Nasu Kogen, Tochigi Prefecture, food and beverage manager, "Atami Fufu" in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture '', served as the general manager of ``River Retreat Garaku'' in Toyama, Toyama Prefecture, and was involved in the opening of approximately 10 hotels and inns. She says that the hotel that Matsumiya is aiming for is one that has the best space and environment, providing genuine service and creating an environment where guests can truly relax. And thus, “Kamakura Kokon” was born in 2019.

Kamakura Kokon is a fully renovated old folk house built in 2, and is a lodging facility that welcomes only two groups a day. It is located in a corner of a residential area in Kamakura, and the grounds include a beautiful Japanese garden with a pond filled with colored carp, trees swaying in the wind, and squirrels sometimes playing in the garden. The space is reminiscent of the affluent lifestyle of Japan in the past. The Japanese architecture, built over 1855 years ago, is truly beautiful, and incorporates cutting-edge technology to enhance comfort.

In addition to accommodation facilities, Matsumiya also has a counter restaurant, ``Restaurant COCON,'' which he carefully selected. This modern-style Italian restaurant is a must-visit spot when visiting Kamakura.

Restoration of old folk houses has been attracting a lot of attention lately, but in reality, renovating while retaining the charm of the past requires more care and money than building a new house. However, Matsumiya chose an old folk house because she values ​​Japanese aesthetics and wants her customers to experience the good old Japanese culture that has been woven through time.

Travel styles are changing worldwide, and services with a global perspective are required.

Matsumiya says that he has been looking for a potential location for his next hotel since the opening of Kamakura Kokon. ``I was looking for a location that would be within reach for my eyes and hands, but I couldn't quite find the building I had envisioned, so I finally found a bank resort in Sengokuhara. It's a perfect destination as it has a tsubo garden, hot springs, and is conveniently located from the city center.I also felt that this environment has a high affinity with Kamakura.''

Sengokuhara is a place where many company resorts are located, and the building known as ``Sengokuhara Kokon'' was also a former resort. The original 16 rooms were renovated into 12 all-suite rooms, with each room equipped with a hot spring view bath, sauna, and cold water bath. There is also a semi-open-air public bath with a view of the miniature bamboo garden. In addition to the hot springs, they also have an original medicinal bath made with XNUMX types of medicinal herbs.

``Kamakura has a purely Japanese-style space with a modern interior, but Sengokuhara has an all-modern finish with German and Italian furniture and contemporary and para-art decorations.'' Just listening to Matsumiya's enthusiastic explanation makes me interested. He also plans to raise goats on the premises and create an herb garden, among other experiments to create a small recycling-oriented society.

The aim of the “Kokin” brand is to provide a service that does not require people to say no.

Matsumiya says that in order to aim to be a top-class hotel that represents the area, there are non-negotiable standards for the ``Konkon'' brand.
``Although it is not limited to wealthy people, what is required of a hotel is something extraordinary.It is the space, time, and service that can be enjoyed by staying at a hotel.'' I place great importance on it. If you are a wealthy person, you may live in a tower apartment in Tokyo. Every day, we see the beautiful night view of Tokyo, so there has to be something more impressive than that, and if you live in a large house, you also need a spacious guest room.

It would be even better if there were beautiful views that you could spend all day looking at and hot springs flowing directly from the source, and all-suite rooms of 1 square meters or more are non-negotiable. Even if our customers stay only for one night, we will relieve them of stress and make them smile. I would like to provide that kind of space and time. And supporting this is our Kando service." It is said that moving service is the essence of Japanese service and consideration.

``When I was a hotel manager, I made a lot of mistakes in terms of service, and there were times when I was scolded,'' he says with a wry smile, but the essence of service he learned from those experiences has been passed down to his current staff, and he continues to use the Matsumiya style. Hospitality is practiced.
“Our services are born out of our thoughts about how much we value our customers, and how much we try to understand them.That's why we always strive to never say no! "I'm here." Furthermore, we share every detail about our customers with our staff via LINE. For example, he says that he immediately shares the conversations he had during pick-up and check-in on LINE.

"It's unpleasant to be asked the same questions over and over again by staff at a hotel. If staff members instantly share information and conversations with guests, such basic mistakes won't happen.Customers It gives people peace of mind knowing that they understand me and remember me properly."

Talking with Matsumiya makes me reconsider what Japanese service and hospitality are that are highly rated around the world. The greatness of the Matsumiya style of hospitality is probably evidenced by the large number of repeat customers at Kamakura Kokon. I'm sure the best hotel is one that has rich nature and an environment, as well as the warmth of its people. If you want to experience the best hotel that Matsumiya has created, why not visit the newly opened Sengokuhara Kokon? You are sure to have an unforgettable experience and time there.

(Titles omitted)

Kamakura ancient and modern
836 Nikaido, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
0467-81-4435

Sengokuhara ancient and modern
1256-280 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
0460-83-9585