Located on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula, Atagawa is a hot spring resort with hot springs gushing out along the coast. During the period of rapid economic growth, many inns and hotels were built, and the area flourished as a seaside hot spring resort, peaking in 54. Even today, the hot spring town retains a strong resemblance to its Showa period days.

On November 11st, a hotel called Izu Retreat Atagawa Suiko reopened in the area under the concept of "nostalgic luxury."

A trip to Izu enveloped in the warmth of the Showa era

The first vehicle we encountered at Izu Atagawa Station was nostalgic and inspiring. The vehicle chosen by the inn was a classic car from the 1990s, Mitsuoka Motors' "Gallie I."

"Nostalgic luxury" refers to the fact that the hotel is filled with touches that evoke the Showa era. This is its first characteristic.

This feeling becomes even stronger as you move from the reception to the lobby, where, for example, there is a corner with LP records displayed on the wall.

Earth, Wind & Fire, The Beatles, Keith Jarrett, Miyuki Nakajima, Akina Nakamori... You'll find yourself picking up the album with a sense of nostalgia. Of course, if you request it, you can listen to it at the lounge bar "Shiomachi."

A tastefully appointed and luxurious space ensures a comfortable stay.

There are 16 guest rooms in total, all with ocean views and open-air baths. What's more, the hotel boasts an abundant supply of hot spring water, so all rooms have free-flowing hot spring water.

The second feature is the bold renovation of all guest rooms.

There are six types of guest rooms. The smallest is approximately 87 square meters, and the largest is approximately 200 square meters, all of which are very luxuriously spacious. Even the smallest room will make you feel relaxed just by entering.

Even though there is no large public bath, it is wonderful that the room has an open-air bath. If you take a bath as soon as you arrive, the ocean of Higashiizu will spread out before you. You will want to take a bath again before going to bed, gazing at the moonlight shining on the sea surface (the moon's path), and then again the next morning, bathed in the dawn light.

The highlight of the renovation is the conversion of the two original large baths, one for men and one for women, into suite rooms.

The two "former large bath suites" are approximately 200 square meters, so large that they cannot be captured in a single photo, and it is interesting that the mirrors in the washing area have been left as they were as part of the design. The open-air bath is approximately 20 square meters and is equipped with a sauna. This suite is not only perfect for two people, but can also accommodate up to six people, making it ideal for families or groups.

There is also a "Karaoke Suite," one of which is a karaoke room. This one also comes equipped with a sauna, so it would be fun to stay with a group.

Also visible in both the guest rooms and the restaurant are ceramic works by local artists, local sake, and locally sourced ingredients from the sea and mountains, all of which help guests learn about the Higashiizu area during their stay and pique their interest in the area around the hotel.

This is the third feature. Rather than being isolated from the local community as a luxury hotel, it is wonderful that the hotel strives to work together with the local community and contribute to its development.

Savor the bounty of the sea with delicious cuisine

I would also like to mention the meals at the inn. The dinner is absolutely gorgeous. Starting with the November menu, the inn is offering innovative Japanese cuisine that makes generous use of Izu ingredients, such as golden-eyed snapper, spiny lobster, black cod, and local vegetables.

One dish that left a particularly strong impression on me was the "Fuji Trout Tartare" that was served as an appetizer. When the lid was removed, smoke rose from the diced trout fillets. The aroma was wonderful, and of course, the tartare had a lingering aroma.

Izu is known for its spiny lobster, and the "Sauteed Lobster with Sakura Shrimp and Tomato Sauce" was delicious. The plump lobster was cooked perfectly, but the deep flavor of the American sauce, which is an adaptation of the sakura shrimp and tomato sauce, and the shrimp miso dissolved in it was so rich that it was hard to forget.

The pairing of wine and sake was also excellent, and the one I paired with the spiny lobster was the Greek white Santore, a natural organic wine produced in the Peloponnese. With just the right amount of acidity and crispness, it was a true natural wine, and went perfectly with the tomato sauce.

We also enjoyed the roasted fillet of local Shizuoka beef, and the final dish, "Golden Eye Snapper Gennari Irodori Sushi, Golden Eye Snapper Miso Soup, and Three Kinds of Pickles," was a pressed sushi dish of red and white minced meat made from golden eye snapper. This is truly a local dish of Higashiizu Town. The vinegared rice served at the end of the meal was refreshing and delightful. The miso soup also had a very good consistency of flavor, perhaps due to the stock made from golden eye snapper bones.

The breakfast was also overwhelming, with a selection of grilled seasonal fish, miso hotpot, hassun (appetizers), and a variety of small side dishes...all packed into a small space.

It's definitely an inn you won't want to leave and will want to visit again.

Text by Toshizumi Ishibashi

Izu Retreat Atagawa Ikko by Onko Chishin

Address: 1271-2 Naramoto, Higashiizu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL：0557-23-2345
Price: From 94500 yen per night with two meals (for two people sharing a room, tax and service charge included)