The Kanaya Hotel in Nikko

History, nature, and plenty of charm

Tomoko Kamishima Jun 17, 2012 - 1 min read

View of Shinkyo Bridge from the riverbank, early in the morning.

This statue in the garden-courtyard tells you "I am in Japan!"

Beautiful wooden decorations at the entrance to the Annex.

Room lighting reflected in the window with a view of the outside woods.

A comfortable writing desk in the main lounge area, looking out on the garden-courtyard.

This Western classical hotel used to be a popular social hangout for Western executives, Hollywood stars, and politicians in early Meiji (around 1860-1900). People escaped from hot humid Tokyo and enjoyed the cool summer at the Kanaya Hotel. If you stay at the Kanaya Hotel, I recommend that you play the role of “early bird”. The short walk down to the riverbank in the morning is so special. You will never forget the mystic view of the Shinkyo red bridge, and the emerald green river.

Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima

Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...