If you’re looking to escape the crowds while on vacation in Japan, the Izu Peninsula might be a destination for you. Located just 2 hours by train or 3 hours by car from Tokyo, the peninsula is a popular weekend spot for locals and an off-the-beaten-path destination for visitors.
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Izu is famous for its small onsen (hot spring) towns, dramatic coastlines, abundant waterfalls, hiking trails, cultural experiences, seafood and stunning views of Mt Fuji.
About Ito
Izu Peninsula is home to many hot spring towns where one can relax, unwind, and enjoy great food and the healing properties of onsens. Among them is Ito – an onsen town on the Izu Peninsula’s east coast with great views of the Pacific Ocean.
The town of Ito is known for its historical significance during the Edo period. It is where the English navigator William Adams, Japan’s first foreign samurai, helped construct Japan’s first Western-style sailing ship under the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Adams, who became a samurai and an advisor to Ieyasu, played a significant role in fostering Japan’s maritime and trade ambitions during this time. Renamed Miura Anjin, meaning “Pilot of Miura,” he is also referred to as the “Blue-Eyed Samurai.”
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The town of Ito honours Miura Anjin (William Adams) through landmarks and cultural commemorations that celebrate his historical contributions. KAI Anjin, a ryokan (Japanese inn) by Hoshino Resorts in Ito, is named after him, acknowledging his legacy as a bridge between Japan and the West during the Edo period.
Read on to learn more about our stay at KAI Anjin during our time in Ito.
About Hoshino Resorts
Hoshino Resorts is a Japanese hospitality company known for its luxurious and meticulously curated accommodations, blending traditional Japanese culture with modern design. Founded in 1914, the company began as a hot spring inn in Karuizawa and has since expanded into a diverse portfolio of over 50 properties across Japan and internationally.
Today, Hoshino Resorts properties range from five-star resorts to contemporary hot spring ryokan to relaxed urban accommodations.
Though no two properties are the same, all of the Hoshino Resorts share deep respect and pride for their culture and embody a high level of Japanese-style hospitality known as omotenashi.
About KAI Brand
KAI is Hoshino Resorts’ luxury hot spring ryokan brand, offering an elevated experience of Japan’s traditional hospitality combined with modern comforts.
Each KAI property is located near a famous onsen (hot spring) and is designed to showcase the unique cultural and natural characteristics of its region. KAI properties offer meticulously crafted kaiseki meals using seasonal, local ingredients and provide the right setting to relax in beautifully designed onsen baths with serene surroundings.
There are 23 KAI properties in Japan, located in hot spring regions like Ito and Nikko, to name a few.
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About KAI Anjin
KAI Anjin is a luxurious hot spring ryokan by Hoshino Resorts, located in the coastal city of Ito on Japan’s Izu Peninsula. Inspired by the legacy of Miura Anjin (William Adams), the first English samurai in Japan, the ryokan blends nautical design elements with traditional Japanese aesthetics, evoking the spirit of maritime exploration.
Anjin inspired the character of John Blackthorne in the award-winning TV series and novel Shogun. As fans of the show, we were thrilled at the chance to stay at KAI Anjin, drawn not just by its luxury but also by its deep connection to this fascinating piece of history!
However, KAI Anjin impressed us far beyond its historical connection. As we have discovered during our stay, KAI Anjin is the most unique property in the KAI portfolio of hotels, as it is the only modern ryokan with Western-style rooms, paying homage to Anjin’s British heritage. The interiors seamlessly combine traditional Japanese inn aesthetics with nautical elements, honouring Anjin’s life and maritime explorations.
For us, one of the highlights of staying at KAI Anjin was also its location – close to numerous local attractions. The hotel is just a short walk from Anjin Memorial Park, the Tokaikan, the Matsukawa Boardwalk, Ito Orange Beach, Komuroyama Park, and Usami Beach. It’s also a great base for exploring Mt Omuro and Jogasaki Coast.
The Rooms at Hoshino Resorts KAI Anjin
The rooms at KAI Anjin are designed to provide a perfect blend of comfort and luxury, with thoughtful details that reflect modern elegance and the hotel’s nautical theme.
The rooms at KAI Anjin all feature a modern Western style, with each one thoughtfully designed to reflect the local culture of Ito. The interior incorporates elements inspired by the region’s maritime history, including artwork crafted from materials salvaged from old ships – a subtle yet meaningful tribute to Miura Anjin.
Every room offers stunning ocean views, adding a luxurious feel to the atmosphere of the stay. Amenities in all rooms include flat-screen televisions, electric kettles, minibars, room wear, and essential bath products.
The main difference between room types is the bed configurations, with options ranging from twin and double beds ideal for solo travellers or couples to triple-twin rooms designed to accommodate up to three guests.
During our time at KAI Anjin, we stayed in their Suite. Located on the top floor, the suite offers breathtaking panoramic views overlooking Sagami Bay and the statue commemorating the site where Miura Anjin’s first ship, San Buena Ventura, was built.
At 77 sqm, the suite was spacious, offering separation between the bedroom, living area, and bathroom. It also had a long desk and was equipped with everything you’d expect from a luxurious Western-style room, including a TV, humidifier, fridge, room wear, a traditional Japanese tea set, electric kettle, mini bar, and premium bath products.
Upon arrival, we received a beautiful amenity set wrapped in traditional Japanese furoshiki fabric. It was a subtle touch of Japanese culture that we really appreciated.
The Food at Hoshino Resorts KAI Anjin
As customary at all KAI properties, our stay at KAI Anjin included complimentary breakfast and dinner. Meals at Hoshino Resorts KAI Anjin featured fresh local seafood with an essence of Britain, where Anjin Miura was born.
The dining area at KAI Anjin was very unique, with the room divided into individual dining booths, offering the utmost privacy and an intimate atmosphere. Each booth is designed to provide a personal dining experience, allowing guests to enjoy their meals in a serene, secluded space. The booth partitions were crafted from 15 unique materials, such as antique books, coloured acrylic, wire, cardboard, and dyed fabric, creating a visually striking and eclectic display of designs.
KAI’s local breakfast was inspired by the traditional Japanese fisherman’s breakfast with a sophisticated take. Dishes included grilled red snapper, homemade tofu, shiitake mushroom fish cakes, simmered beef with ginger, and a British-style scotch broth.
Dinner was an elaborate affair with a 10-course kaiseki-style meal. The dishes featured seasonal produce and offered a touch of British influence. The menu differed every day and featured a variety of exquisite dishes, like a porthole-style roast beef appetizer, broiled tilefish soup with shrimp dumplings, rice cake balls with walnut miso, matsukaze-style steamed chicken and raisin cake, roast duck and conger eel sushi, to name a few.
Given the popularity of fresh wasabi in this area, the dishes were served with freshly grated wasabi, a specialty found only in high-end restaurants in this area.
Activities at Hoshino Resorts KAI Anjin
Go on a Baird Brewery Tour
Hoshino Resorts KAI Anjin offers a “Craft Beer Brewery Tour with the Blessings of Izu” a unique beer tasting experience at Baird Brewery that we had a chance to enjoy during our stay at the hotel.
The experience started with a visit to the Baird Brewery in Shuzenji to learn about their particular brewing process. We got a chance to tour the brewery with one of the founders, Sayuri Baird, who shared fascinating insights into the craftsmanship behind their beers and the careful selection of ingredients. After the tour, we had the opportunity to sample a variety of their brews, each with distinct flavours reflecting their dedication to quality and innovation.
The experience continued back at the hotel, with beer pairing during our Kaiseki meal and another sample to enjoy in the evening after bathing in the on-site onsen.
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Watch the Anjin Journey Short Film
KAI Anjin invites guests to watch a free 15-minute film that traces the life of William Adams (Miura Anjin). This dramatic telling describes his arrival in Japan during the Age of Discovery and how he came to teach the country how to build Western-style ships.
The film is a great introduction to the story of William Adams and offers a great insight into the influences that inspired the KAI Anjin hotel.
Start Your Day with a Sunrise Breathing Exercise
The top floor at KAI Anjin features the San Buena Deck, a unique and tranquil space thoughtfully designed to mimic a ship’s deck. It’s an ideal place to begin your day, offering beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere. Guests can participate in energizing morning exercise sessions and try out local breathing techniques inspired by the Uruhashi Modern Toji Guidebook, infusing mindfulness into their stay.
Enjoy Tea Time at Travel Library
KAI Anjin has a wide variety of teas sourced from the actual route that Miura Anjin took on his voyage from England to Japan. The teams range from black to green and herbal and can be enjoyed in the cozy library with a book in hand.
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Relax at an Onsen
There are two types of onsens you can enjoy at Hoshino Resorts KAI Anjin: an indoor bath and an outdoor bath. As with most establishments, the onsens are separated by gender, and bathing is allowed only after thoroughly washing at the provided shower stations. The indoor bath, made of elegant granite, offers serene views of the Pacific Ocean, while the outdoor bath provides a more immersive experience, surrounded by the fresh sea breeze. Both options provide a relaxing setting, whether you’re soaking during sunrise, under the moonlight, or watching fireworks.
After bathing, guests can unwind in the bath lounge, where comfortable sofas provide a place to relax and recharge. For a more open-air experience, you can head to the San Buena Deck to enjoy the ocean breeze. To complete the experience, complimentary beverages such as IPA beer and soft drinks are available, making it the perfect way to cool down and extend your relaxation.
The Bottom Line
Balance is a core part of Japanese culture, and Hoshino Resorts KAI Anjin is a one-of-a-kind property that balances tradition and modernity.
We loved staying in this traditional-inspired ryokan with modern luxuries and nautical influences. Hoshino Resorts KAI Anjin had everything we loved about ryokans and more, offering a great base for a few relaxing days in Ito.
Disclaimer: Our stay at KAI Anjin was provided courtesy of Hoshino Resorts, but as always, all opinions expressed in this article, are our own.
