Nisai-no-Yuyado Asahiya / A hot spring hotel in Beppu Kannawa where you can be natural in mind and body

Hotels and Japanese-style inns offer us healing through their extraordinary space and hospitality. Hotels and inns that offer extraordinary space and hospitality to heal us.
Among the charming inns located all over Japan, there is one that offers HAA for bath.

This time we would like to introduce "Nisai-no-Yuyado Asahiya" (Asahiya), located in Kannawa Onsen, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture.
Asahiya, a long-established inn that has been in business for 95 years, has begun a new chapter in its history with a large-scale renovation in 2022.
We spoke with Yoneko Nakano, the third-generation proprietress, and Mutsuko Nakano, the young proprietress, about the "past" and "future" of the Asahiya.

(From left, Mutsuko Nakano, the young proprietress, and Yoneko Nakano, the third generation proprietress)

A sudden natural disaster. The determination to be reborn

2022 Asahiya reopened in January 2022. The catalyst for this major renovation was the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.

Mutsuko: "Asahiya was severely damaged by the Kumamoto earthquake. As I thought about what to do in the future in the wake of the earthquake, a feeling of excitement arose in me that said, 'I have to do it,' and I made the decision to take over the inn as the fourth-generation proprietress.

Yoneko Yonago said, "However, there were large holes in the exterior walls of the building and leaks in the rain. ...... We could have continued to work on it while repairing it, but we thought about our daughter who would take over the business, so we made the bold choice to rebuild.

A sudden natural disaster.

Suddenly, a natural disaster struck. They must have had an extraordinary determination to move forward while preserving the history.

Yonago: "It was a journey that hurt not only my heart, but many other places. Thankfully, with the cooperation of the local people and the careful attention of the architect, we were able to build up and shape the project step by step."

Tekirin time at the new Asahiya to heal visitors

Asahiya's new Kannawa Time

After renewal, Asahiya has been reborn as a sophisticated space that blends history and modernity.

Mutsuko: "We have renewed the building and guest room setup while retaining some of the long-standing history. Another major change is that we now offer guest rooms with private open-air baths. There are not many inns in Kannawa Onsen that offer baths in their guest rooms, so our guests are very pleased with the new rooms.

Yonago: "The entire space was designed with the image of an idyllic, everyday inn, rather than a glamorous atmosphere. We also incorporated many natural elements to give guests a sense of comfort through all five senses.

Yonago: "For example, the curtains in the guest rooms and the curtains at the inn were made by Yuko Yano, a designer who makes sustainable clothing in Kannawa Onsen. By using gentle colors that are not pure white, but rather those you would encounter in nature, you can relax and blend into the space even if you stay two or three nights.

The warmth of wood envelops the entire space.
The comfort of being wrapped in soft linen.
Gentle light shining through the windows.

The beauty of the space that will delight your senses and the attentive hospitality will relax your mind and body and bring you closer to your natural state.

I believe this is what leads to the many comments we receive at Asahiya, "I will definitely come back again.

We want our customers to enjoy the "daily life at Kannawa = customers' extraordinary life" at their leisure.

There are many different hot spring resorts throughout Japan, but what does Kannawa Onsen mean to you?

Mutsuko: "I feel that Kannawa Onsen is a hot springs resort that is close to my daily life. In the summer, I often see an old man after taking a bath walking down the street with his upper body naked and looking comfortable. I think this is a scene that is unique to Kannawa Onsen and is hard to find in urban hot spring resorts. Such everyday scenery in Kannawa may help visitors relax and enjoy their time in Kannawa.

Yonago: "I would be happy if you could also experience the culture that has taken root here. At Asahiya, you can enjoy "jigoku-mushi" (steaming in hell), which has been a tradition in the Kannawa hot springs since the Edo period (1603-1868). Steaming food in the steam of salty hot spring water locks in the flavor and brings out the original deliciousness and sweetness of the ingredients. Please try it for yourself.

HAA for bath is available at the front desk.