As I pass through the entrance of Asaba Ryokana traditional Japanese inn located in the quiet hot spring town of Shuzenji, Shizuoka Prefecture, I feel as if I have stepped into a living ukiyo-e from the Edo period (1603-1868).
The panoramic windows offer an idyllic view: a waterfall cascading into a pond full of carp, on which a 19th-century Noh house stands but yeahan indoor stage for traditional theatre performances. This timeless beauty, imbued with a deep sense of place, is an example of the elite hotel group Relay & Castles‘s approach to the preservation and celebration of cultural heritage worldwide, a mission the association has pursued in Japan for the past 36 years.
In an era of globalization and standardization where the hotel industry is increasingly dominated by international chains, Relais & Chateaux has played an important role in promoting luxury accommodations that reflect the distinctive character of its locations. The association was founded in 1954 by Marcel and Nelly Tilloy, the owners of La Cardinale hotel and restaurant in Paris, and consists of a network of independently run properties united by shared values of exceptional hospitality, culinary excellence, cultural uniqueness and sustainability. Today the organization has 580 branches in 65 countries.
