The beautiful and relaxing waters of an outdoor spring at Ohara Hot Spring hotel in Kyoto

(Writer: Miyu Yamamoto)

Kansai

Kyoto’s Ohara hot spring hotel is one of the former capital’s hidden treasures in as far as such facilities go.

Comfortable to the point of luxury, with its own naturally fragranced hot spring waters, Ohara is surrounded by some of the best natural landscapes found in this area without – and within – given the chance to see the tea-ceremony (and sample related dishes); all links to a Japanese past not often available elsewhere.

Delicacies served at Ohara lean towards the naturally prepared, organic variety with a limited use of any agricultural materials. The hotel even grows some of its own materials in a private vegetable garden. An expert in Japanese sake is also on hand to offer advice and comments on the national drink.

The waters themselves are pumped up to the surface from a depth of 1175m to offer visitors and residents alike the opportunity to soak in and benefit from one of the few such springs in the Kyoto valley region; certain medicinal qualities and fatigue removal properties long appreciated by all-comers.