Donari-cho in Awa city, Tokushima prefecture is an area of abundant greenery.
On top of the hill stands an inn built in the Heian palatial architecture style carefully hidden by the colors of the four seasons.
It’s called “Gosho Yashiro no Mori” Travel Inn.
This is a location for adults only (over 13-year-olds).
When you step inside the large gate that separates time-space from busy modern society, you will see the refined world of the Heian dynasty spread out before your eyes.

When you set foot here, you become a member of the Heian aristocracy.
To start off, let’s put on the home wear prepared for us.

For the rest of the time, just enjoy the calmly flowing atmosphere of the Heian era…
This time we’d like to introduce you to just a few of the charms and ways of enjoying “Yashiro no Mori”.
Main Building

Each of the spacious guest rooms located in the main building measure over 80m².
Anyone will be taken over with emotion by the fairy tale-like beauty partitioned by excellent cypress wood and bamboo blinders.
As the people in Heian era would use the kimono they wore in daytime as a bed cover, this is recreated with the bed covers in the rooms.
In addition, at the indoor bath within each room you can enjoy a radon bath with radium minerals.

Dining rooms
Meals are served in the dining rooms with a view to the beautiful garden.
You can enjoy delicacies grown in the local mountains and sea of Tokushima in the form of a carefully prepared banquet.

Bathing area
Another enjoyment is the liberating open-air bath with 100% natural spring water.
The sodium bicarbonate spring flowing freely from its source is called “a spring for beauties” and “a spring for beautiful skin”.
The bath is shaped like a boat, and its tip points in the direction of the shrine located within the inn’s premises.

Heian costume experience
Other than the home wear, you can also try on gorgeous outfits. It truly feels like you’re a member of the Heian aristocracy.
This outfit at this location, you can’t experience it often, so don’t forget to take commemorative photographs!

Experiencing Heian games
You can enjoy the Heian era aristocracy’s games such as the “incense game” and “tosenkyo”, which included trying to hit the butterfly (target) with a folding fan. You can also enjoy matcha tea…

Banquet of elegant dance
Everyday at around sunset, “Kanraku-mai”, “Heian Oucho-mai”, and “Shirabyoshi”, among other dances are performed.
Time flows calmly while watching the elegant dances among the beautiful dusk scenery.

Gosho Yashiro no Mori Travel Inn separates itself from the business of modern life…
Spending a moment here will surely become an unforgettable memory. How about taking a short trip surpassing time to the Heian era?

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Gosho Yashiro no Mori Travel Inn:

Location: 71-2 Ochikubo, Miyagawauchi, Donari-cho, Awa City, Tokushima Prefecture
TEL: 088-695-5846
Open: All year round
Rates: JPY 39,500 per person per night (two people using one room) including two meals  *No guests under 13-years of age allowed
Parking: For 16 cars
Homepage: http://yashironomori.jp/ (Japanese)

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Daisuke Chiba