Oiso is known as Japan's first beach town and Oiso Prince Hotel boasts a great location within the Shonan region where you can see the ocean up close. The nearest station, Oiso Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line, is about an hour from Tokyo Station, and it's about a 13-minute bus ride from the station to the hotel.

In addition to English-speaking staff, hotel information is available in English. The building is fully Wi-Fi enabled, so it's also a suitable workcation destination.

In 2017, the interior was renovated with a seaside villa theme to make guests feel at home and any rooms overlook the shining blue ocean. In the past, Oiso was a popular destination for influential figures, with Shigeru Yoshida, former Prime Minister of Japan, and literary master Toson Shimazaki owning local residences.

In summer, the resort's Oiso Long Beach pool opens and guests can participate in a variety of activities. Newly developed Thermal Spa S.Wave, which has four types of saunas and hot springs, and an infinity pool, is also gaining popularity.

(*Please note that these facilities have a no-tattoo policy.)

You can eat seasonal dishes featuring seafood and mountain foods served at restaurants overlooking the Pacific Ocean, including a kaiseki (homestyle Japanese cooking) restaurant specializing in local fish and yams and a modern Chinese restaurant.

Countermeasures against Covid-19
•Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of facilities
•Hand sanitizer made available
•Plastic partitions installed
•Implementation of regular cleaning, ventilation, and disinfection
•Social distancing measures in place
•Shortening of business hours at each facility in the building
•Breakfast buffet suspended
•Staff wear masks and gloves, use hand sanitizer, and monitor temperatures
•Masks required for guests
•Guest temperature and health checks enforced

Hakone is considered the best hot spring resort area in Kanagawa, and one of the newest hotels in the Gora area is Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, opened in January 2020. There's a free shuttle bus from Odawara Station or you can get there on foot from Hakone Tozan Railway Gora Station in about 13 minutes.

The hotel's philosophy of presenting a next-generation travel experience is accomplished by introducing the one and only "Neighborhood Story" theme that incorporates nature, culture, and history that can only be found in Hakone.

For example, the halls and rooms feature parquet flooring, one of Hakone's traditional crafts. All the guest rooms have hot springs so you can relax in privacy while watching the Hayakawa River flowing below your window.

Another of the hotel's features is the opportunity to reap the healing benefits of Hakone's famous hot springs in a completely new way. International guests unaccustomed to hot springs can relax as swimsuits are worn in the large communal bath, making it possible for couples and families to bathe together regardless of gender.

There's also a digital art show projected on a huge screen to add to the extraordinary experience, and tattooed guest may enter if their body art is covered.

The restaurant has an attractive interior design inspired by the nature and culture of Hakone Gora. In the large oven at the center of the dining room, the chef grills dishes while skillfully tending the flames.

Abundant local ingredients are used, including Ashigara beef from local vendors, fresh seafood delivered from the Odawara market, fresh eggs produced in the suburbs, and locally grown vegetables.

Guests have a choice of Japanese or Western breakfast, and menus in English and Japanese are available on the hotel's homepage (free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel).

Countermeasures against Covid-19
•Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of facilities
•Hand sanitizer made available
•Plastic partitions installed
•Implementation of regular cleaning, ventilation, and disinfection
•Restriction on the number of people using communal baths and spa facilities
•Social distancing measures in place
•Spacious seating arrangement
•Staff wear masks, disinfect hands, and monitor temperatures
•Guests requested to wear masks
•Guest temperatures measured

Hakone / Lake Ashi Hanaori is situated right next to the lake and this prime location is just a 2-minute walk from the Hakone Ropeway and the Togendai pirate ship dock. Front desk staff speak English and free Wi-Fi is available anywhere in the hotel.

Most impressively, you're treated to a screen-like view of Lake Ashi from the lobby, terrace, footbath, and more.

The guest rooms combine Western modernity with the relaxed style of a Japanese ryokan inn. There are room types to suit different tastes, with open-air baths on the terrace or views of Lake Ashi.

Two large communal baths offer an up-close view of Lake Ashi and a garden view that changes with the seasons. The open-air bath provides further enjoyment of Hakone's famous hot springs. Tattoo-covering stickers are sold at the front desk, so even tattooed guests can use the communal hot springs without hesitation.

At the dining room overlooking Lake Ashi, guests are treated to a colorful Japanese and Western buffet of seasonal dishes. Dinner includes appetizers, meat and fish dishes, carefully prepared salads, and sweets. Breakfast features a wide offering of healthy food to satisfy your appetite.

Countermeasures against Covid-19
•Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of facilities
•Hand sanitizer made available
•Implementation of regular cleaning, ventilation, and disinfection
•Frequent replacement of tongs, ladles, and other serving utensils
•Staff wear masks, disinfect hands, and monitor temperatures
•Guests requested to have temperatures measured, wear masks, disinfect hands, and wear gloves at restaurants

A convenient base for exploring Hakone, Hakone Retreat Före is in the mountains of Sengokuhara, about 30 minutes from Hakone-Yumoto Station via the Hakone Tozan Bus. "Före" is a Swedish word that means "forward" and, along with the beautiful green scenery, Hakone Retreat Före is reminiscent of a Scandinavian resort.

Located about a 3-minute walk from the Tawaraishi Glass Forest bus stop, the retreat has English and Chinese speaking staff, and multilingual signs posted throughout. Further information is available in English and free Wi-Fi is available anywhere in the facility.

The cafe lounge serves coffee made with beans from Unir Coffee in Nagaoka, Kyoto, and a terrace where you can feel close to nature. The guest rooms have a modern atmosphere and views of Sengokuhara's natural beauty. Some rooms are equipped with wood-burning stoves, so you can delight your senses with the sound of burning wood and the sight of flickering flames.

A large communal bath surrounded by lush greenery rests along a forest-facing 200-meter-long wooden deck. As you soak in the hot water, the scent and near-silence of the woods along with the echoing chirps of small birds will make you feel like part of the forest.

Originally intended as a COVID-19 countermeasure to increase airflow, changing the bath to a semi-open-air style by removing the former indoor bath's windows has resulted in an increased the sense of unity with nature. Free tattoo-covering stickers are available at the front desk.

For meals, guests can choose from a restaurant offering wood-fired French cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients or a kaiseki restaurant tailored to elaborate tastes.

Guests are invited to a gastronomic journey featuring some of Japan's finest fresh meat, vegetables, and fish from the Suruga area.

Countermeasures against Covid-19
•Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of facilities
•Hand sanitizer made available
•Implementation of regular cleaning, ventilation, and disinfection
•Private check-in/check-out
•Providing disposable gloves at the restaurant
•Staff wear masks, wash hands, gargle and disinfect
•Guests requested wear masks and disinfect hands

Kamakura, about an hour from Tokyo by train, is a popular day-trip destination. The Kamakura Prince Hotel, located about an 8-minute walk from Enoshima Electric Railway's Shichirigahama Station, is surrounded by the sea and mountains and boasts a unique view of Kamakura. Staff members can speak English and hotel information is also available in English.

All the rooms overlook Sagami Bay, and some offer views of Enoshima and Mt. Fuji. In summer, you can also enjoy looking at the ocean from the outdoor pool. In contrast, vibrant greenery fills the large windows of the lounge.

(*All rooms have free Wi-Fi. Pool has a no-tattoo policy.)

Restaurant choices include a French restaurant overlooking the ocean or a restaurant in the annex where you can enjoy teppanyaki, kaiseki meals, and soba noodles. Dishes are seasonal and made with local ingredients.

Countermeasures against Covid-19
•Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of facilities
•Hand sanitizer made available
•Plastic partitions installed
•Implementation of regular cleaning, ventilation, and disinfection
•Social distancing measures in place
•Shortening of business hours at each facility in the building
•Breakfast buffet suspended
•Staff wear masks and gloves, use hand sanitizer, and monitor temperatures
•Masks required for guests
•Guest temperature and health checks enforced

Kanagawa has many popular tourist destinations like Kamakura and Hakone and has traditionally attracted a high volume of micro-tourism. Easily accessible from Tokyo, it's a great place to experience a resort-like getaway. Why not take the opportunity to rediscover the charms of Kanagawa!

* Due to the influence of COVID-19, business hours may be changed and temporary closures or changes in services may occur.

English translation: Gabriel Wilkinson