Founded in 1484 by Yakuro Yukitada Asaba, the lord of Kakegawa Castle, Asaba Ryokan began as a lodging for monks in front of the Shuzenji Temple, of which Asaba served as the keeper. The temple, initially aligned with the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, was converted by Asaba towards following Soto Zen Buddhism later on, paralleling the shift of the property from being a shukubo lodging for pilgrims to a more general ryokan lodge open to the wider public. From then on, the ownership of the ryokan passed down to succeeding generations of the Asaba family up to the present.

During the late Meiji period, the Gekkiden Noh stage found its way from the Fukagawa Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine in Tokyo to the ryokan thanks to the generosity of Viscount Toshika Maeda. Thanks to a 3-year process and the acceptance of the seventh-generation proprietor Yasuemon Asaba, this was a feature unique to the ryokan for decades. Eventually, the ryokan held the ‘Asaba Cultural Journey’, which showcases to guests and visitors the rich cultural heritage of Japan. To this day, the ryokan regularly showcases such performances for its visitors to discover and appreciate the cultural treasures in their care.

With its long and storied history, it is only expected for the Asaba Ryokan to be an exemplar of Edo-period architecture. On the outside, it showcases the staples of traditional Japanese architecture, with wooden beams, tiled roofs, and minimalist design, all emblematic of the sukiya-zukuri style used by heritage residences. It is further surrounded by exterior gardens dotted with blossom trees and bamboo shoots, open to all guests.

Inside, the ryokan features 11 rooms and a detached villa, the Villa Tenko. Despite different design features of the themes of each room, they share a basic commonality of reflecting traditional Japanese architecture inside as well. Seating and table arrangements are also variable, with both Japanese and Western-style seats available inside. Bedding is either Western-style beds or custom futons, depending on the themed room or the number of guests inside. These features allow guests to maximize their comfort while providing them with an authentic experience throughout their stay.

The dining experience at the Asaba Ryokan is largely an indoor kaiseki experience. Alternatively, the ryokan also has The Salon, a place where guests can recline and enjoy alcohol, as well as complimentary tea and coffee throughout much of the day. The ryokan takes care to utilize fresh, local ingredients for their meals, gathered from all over Izus.

Breakfast

Breakfast is served between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, with guests having the choice of either a Western-style or Japanese-style breakfast. A Japanese-style breakfast would include the ryokan’s own home-dried grilled fish and fluffy egg dish.

Dinner

By contrast, dinner is a much more elaborate experience, served between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Aside from a broad seasonal platter, visitors can largely expect to have seafood, vegetables, and specialties including kuro-awabi black abalone, Matsuba crab, and various Matsutake mushroom dishes. Wagyu shabu-shabu is also available, but only with advanced reservations, and only for those reservations with two or more people.

The ryokan is also open to those who wish to have their wedding held there, whether through a Shinto or non-religious ceremony. These will be held at the same Gekkiden Noh stage used by performers along the pond. Interested visitors may peruse an itemized list where they can have and choose various options, such as the services of a Shinto priest and altar maiden, Japanese attire for the bride and groom, traditional music during the ceremony, as well as video and photography services. Other amenities include a boat for the couple to reach the stage, catering services, floral arrangements, and even various gifts for invited guests.

Asaba Ryokan has a unique relationship with culture and heritage, which is reflected in its yearly features of various traditional Japanese performances. The Asaba Cultural Journey allows guests to experience these kinds of performances directly from nationally recognized experts.

Examples of performances which visitors may witness at the ryokan are joruri sung narratives featuring shamisen music and puppetry, or more comedic kyogen theater plays, presented by Living National Treasures of Japan. For those interested in dances, there are also performances of buyo and kyomai. More strictly musical performances include the recital of wagakki, traditional Japanese musical instruments, and a separate showing of fue music, referring to Japanese bamboo flutes, also by a Living National Treasure of Japan.

Besides the cultural experience, the ryokan also offers visitors more conventional services to ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay. Souvenirs are available at the gift shop for those who wish to buy mementos of their stay. Those with particular health needs may make use of the outdoor and indoor baths filled with water sourced directly from the Shuzenji hot spring. The in-house Hitotoki Spa offers visitors various kinds of massages, facials, and physical therapies.