Japan is easily one of the most popular destinations for Singaporean travelers; a place that we return to time and time again for its culture, food, history and natural beauty. While tried and tested routes have their benefits, it’s often off the beaten trail where Japan’s most memorable experiences await. With new hotel group Nipponia, these experiences are now within easy reach. Here’s why.
You’ll stay at unique properties
Sasayama Castle Town Hotel
To really immerse yourself in a destination, it helps to stay in a hotel that embodies all its charms. Nipponia’s hotels are steeped in history and allow you to connect with the cities where they’re located. Among these hotels are Takeda Castle Town Hotel EN, housed in a former distillery in Asago; Auberge Toyooka 1925, previously a bank; and the incredible Sasayama Castle Town Hotel. Located on the grounds of a 400-year-old fortification, Sasayama Castle Town Hotel will make you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time to the era of the Tokugawa shogunate.
You’ll discover new destinations
Sasayama townscape
While Asago, Sasayama and Toyooka are located close to Kyoto and Osaka, they’re gaining attention as destinations in their own right. The three cities in Hyogo Prefecture each offer their own must-see attractions. In addition to its namesake castle, Sasayama is also where you’ll find the well-preserved Anma samurai house. Asago, meanwhile, is the home of Takeda Castle, the “Castle in the Sky” known as “Japan’s Machu Picchu”. As one of the municipalities that makes up the San’in Kaigan Geopark, Toyooka is a place where nature lovers can explore mountain trails, visit beaches and caves, and kayak along the Maruyama River.
You’ll savor authentic local food and drinks on-site
Local cuisine and sake
Discerning foodies will know that this part of Japan is famous for its food and drinks, and Nipponia’s properties will have the best of the region available at your doorstep. From Tajima wagyu beef to fresh local vegetables and Sasayama’s renowned sake, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
You can rely on bespoke services
Local ingredients
At Nipponia’s hotels, you get the kind of bespoke service you can only dream of in a big chain property. Guests at Auberge Toyooka 1925, for example, get to bid for seafood at a nearby fish market where bidding is normally reserved for people with specific qualifications. Once you’ve taken your pick from the catch of the day, a chef at the hotel will prepare it for you. At Sasayama Castle Town Hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in agritourism, harvesting and tasting rice, black soya beans, strawberries and more. Nipponia’s knowledgeable concierges will also be on hand to offer more insider recommendations and answer any questions you might have.
You’ll have gateways to one-of-a-kind cultural experiences
Making Tamba pottery
Staying in a Nipponia hotel is a cultural experience in itself, but each property also grants you access to other unforgettable slices of local life. In Asago, you’ll be able to enjoy the fireworks of the annual summer festival. In Sasayama, you’ll get to work on Tamba pottery and fire your pieces in traditional climbing kilns; just as village potters have done for 800 years. And in Toyooka, you can order a unique, handcrafted bag made by one of the towns many bag artisans.
For more information and to make your bookings, visit the following websites or email the hotels directly:
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