Asaba
Three Michelin Keys
Hotel Details
Location
Asaba · Izu, Japan
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Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional Service: The hospitality is consistently highlighted as impeccable and exceptional.
Expert Review: Asaba
Asaba in Izu, Japan, is a Three-Michelin-Key property renowned for providing an extraordinary and deeply traditional ryokan experience. Guests consistently praise its tranquil ambiance, impeccable service, and exquisite Japanese hospitality, making it a standout destination for those seeking a serene escape.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
Asaba garners overwhelmingly positive sentiment, reflected in exceptional ratings across various platforms. It holds a "Wonderful" rating of 9.3/10 based on 74 reviews on KAYAK and an "Exceptional" 9.4/10 on Hotels.com. The Michelin Guide awards it Three Keys, signifying an "extraordinary stay." Guests frequently describe their visits as "perfect," "beautiful and peaceful," and "a dream of Japan."
2. Key Highlights
The ryokan's key highlights are deeply rooted in its rich history and commitment to traditional Japanese aesthetics and service.
- Design & Atmosphere: Asaba offers an exquisite traditional atmosphere, with a picturesque setting facing a placid pond ringed with bamboo. The interior style is spare yet elegant, evoking the ideal of a traditional ryokan.
- Noh Stage: A unique and central feature is the floating Noh stage (Gekkeiden) on the pond, where traditional Japanese performing arts such as Noh, Kyogen comedy, Shinnai storytelling, and Japanese dance are showcased in seasonal performances.
- Hot Springs (Onsen): The property boasts natural hot springs, offering traditional semi-public baths and private in-room tubs for a relaxing onsen experience.
- Exceptional Service: The hospitality is consistently highlighted as impeccable and exceptional.
- Meticulous Gardens: The meticulously manicured gardens are considered living works of art, contributing to the serene environment.
3. Room Quality
Asaba features 12 traditional tatami-style rooms, characterized by minimal furniture and a spare, non-modern interior design. All rooms face the tranquil courtyard and pond, offering scenic views. Thoughtful amenities include air conditioning, free WiFi, safes, refrigerators, heating, and daily housekeeping. Some of the more luxurious options, like the Tenko Villa, are spacious at approximately 2300 sqft and include a private outdoor onsen and garden views. The custom-made bedding, often futons, is described as very comfortable, leading to a wonderful night's sleep.
4. Dining Experience
Dining at Asaba is a first-rate culinary journey focused on traditional Japanese cuisine and seasonal ingredients.
- Kaiseki Dinner: Dinner typically consists of traditional kaiseki, a multi-course meal often served in the guest's room. Guests praise the food as high-quality, delicious, and exquisitely prepared, emphasizing delicate flavors and dashi (broth).
- Japanese Breakfast: Breakfast is exclusively Japanese, featuring local cuisine, and is also served in the room. Reviewers have found it surprisingly delicious, with the dashimaki omelets being particularly exceptional.
- Other Options: The ryokan also features a coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Asaba is consistently lauded as exceptional and impeccable, with staff described as extremely kind, eager to please, and attentive to detail. Many guests highlight the personalized and thoughtful care they receive, making their stay memorable. However, some international guests have noted minor communication issues due to a language barrier, with some staff members having limited English proficiency.
6. Location & Accessibility
Asaba is located in the charming hot spring town of Shuzenji in Izu, Japan, offering a serene and picturesque setting.
- Local Attractions: It is conveniently situated within a 5-minute walk of popular attractions like the Bamboo Forest Path, Tokko-no-yu Hot Spring, and Shuzenji Temple. The local area is peaceful and suitable for exploration.
- Transportation: The ryokan is approximately 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) from Shuzenji train station (Izu-Hakone line). It's also accessible by car, about 40 minutes from Mishima JR station, which is an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Asaba offers a fixed-rate taxi service from both stations and provides complimentary self-parking.
7. Value & Pricing
Asaba is considered one of Japan's most luxurious and expensive ryokans. Pricing is very high, with a one-night stay for two people, including dinner and breakfast, reportedly costing around 500,000 JPY (approximately $3,300 USD as of current exchange rates for April 2025). KAYAK lists rates from $4412. While many guests find the experience profoundly rewarding and worth the cost, some have debated its value, especially concerning the dining experience compared to dedicated high-end kaiseki restaurants.
8. Common Complaints
Despite its stellar reputation, a few recurring criticisms or minor issues have been noted by guests:
- Limited English Communication: Some guests experienced minor communication difficulties due to staff not speaking much English.
- Limited Local Activities: The town of Shuzenji, while charming, is described by some as small with limited activities, potentially leading to boredom after a day or two of relaxation at the ryokan.
- Dining Expectations: While generally highly praised, a few reviews suggest that the traditional kaiseki dinner, while excellent, might not always reach the same heights as dedicated high-end kaiseki restaurants, especially given the premium price point.
- Noh Performances: The Noh stage performances are not a daily occurrence, which can be a slight disappointment for guests expecting regular shows.
- Incidental Issues: One review mentioned encountering a large insect in the room, though this appears to be an isolated incident.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Despite its stellar reputation, a few recurring criticisms or minor issues have been noted by guests:
- •Incidental Issues: One review mentioned encountering a large insect in the room, though this appears to be an isolated incident.
Google Reviews
345 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Sam Stein
Simply spectacular stay. This small family operated establishment is dedicated to incredible service and attention to detail. We had one of the best dinners of our vacation and the swimming koi and natural hot springs and onsens on property and in your rooms create the most relaxing spa-like environment to decompress from days of walking in Tokyo and Kyoto. This is a beautiful small mountain retre...
Laura Wright
Most spectacular stay and experience of our entire trip. The service and staff are exceptional. The food was so delicious and creative, the best of our 10 day trip to Japan. We had the classic tatami beds which was like sleeping on a cloud. We left feeling so zen and centered and rested. What a magical stay we will cherish forever. Thank you to the Asaba family for the experience of a lifetime!
Grant Smith
We spent two nights at Asaba Ryokan for our honeymoon and it was an amazing experience. For those wanting a truly authentic traditional Japanese experience, Asaba is the perfect place with a rich history and heritage. The food is unbelievable and we loved seeing the staff everyday. The local area is also peaceful and nice to explore during the day.
Ali Kazmi
One of the greatest experiences in my life. I highly recommend everyone come here, especially in the autumn with the falling red leaves. Service, food, and room were exceptional.
Annabelle
This hotel is not worth the very high cost. It is a beautiful and tranquil ryokan but the town it is located in is very small and there is little to do there, so you quickly get bored once you relax for a day at the hotel. While the staff is extremely kind and eager to please, most do not speak English so it is difficult as a foreigner to communicate your needs. The hotel does not organize any act...
Lea Huang
Beautiful ryokan neighboring shuzenji. Our room “Tenko” was spacious, amidst the forest with indoor and outdoor onsen. The room only has 2 beds, but there was a living room that could close off almost entirely and has its own bathroom, futons can be added here and it can easily accommodate more people. I had high expectations for dinner due to the high rating on tabelog, but there were only a fe...
About Three Michelin Keys
The Michelin Guide awards Three Keys to hotels that offer an exceptional stay. These are outstanding properties that represent the pinnacle of hospitality, with extraordinary character, service, and attention to detail.
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