3 carefully selected hotels in Kagawa Prefecture (Japanese-style inns where you’ll want to stay at least once)

🕓 2025/7/20
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 table of contents

    1. Naoshima Ryokan Rokasumi
    2. Yumoto Konpira Onsen Hananoyu Kobaitei
    3. THE CHELSEA BREATH


About Kagawa Prefecture

Kagawa Prefecture, which occupies a corner of Shikoku, is known for its calm Seto Inland Sea and warm climate. However, its charm is not limited to the scenic views. At the intersection of art, tradition, and modern luxury, you’ll find exceptional accommodations that have the power to define your journey.

A modern retreat on an island of art, a traditional and innovative hot spring inn in a historic hot spring town, and an all-inclusive hill that promises a tranquil time for adults. Each of these three facilities embodies the sophisticated form of modern Japanese travel. Depending on which inn a traveler chooses from among these, their experience in Kagawa will be completely different.



Carefully selected Kagawa PrefectureJapanese style inn3 selections

1. Naoshima Ryokan Roka — blending into art and nature 

a_08-1Source: Naoshima Ryokan Roka official website

 ■The charm of “Naoshima Ryokan Roka”

Naoshima Ryokan Roka, which opened in April 2022 on Naoshima, a sacred place for art, is attracting attention as the island’s first full-fledged luxury inn. All 11 rooms are suites with open-air baths, with an emphasis on exclusivity. We provide an immersive experience that makes your stay itself feel like an extension of your Naoshima art experience, meeting the expectations of highly sensitive art lovers who visit from all over the world.

 1. Fusion of architecture and design

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“Rokasumi” is a modern Japanese inn designed by nottuoInc.+ARCIF. It is a talented product that won the “DFA Design for Asia Awards 2022” for its sophisticated design. The reason we don’t have a TV is to cut off the noise of everyday life and allow the guests to immerse themselves in art and silence. The entire building is designed as a “meditation art retreat,” so you’ll feel relaxed both physically and mentally during your stay.

However, because the experience is prioritized over practicality, some people are confused, saying, “The sofa faces the opposite direction to the sink, so it might not be comfortable…” It may be a utopia for those who value design, while those who value functionality may have different tastes.

 

 2. Resonance with young artists

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“Rokasumi” has declared itself “a base for disseminating young artists.” Rather than just displaying pieces, art will be present in every moment of your stay. Located in the middle of the Honmura district of the House Project, a 5-minute walk from the Ando Museum and Goo Shrine, it is also in the middle of Naoshima’s art ecosystem.

Unlike art museums that display works by Yayoi Kusama-level figures, Rokasumi’s niche spotlights the next generation of talent. The experience here is more up-close and full of discoveries than visiting an art museum—a stay where you can “invest in the future of art” so to speak.

 

 3. Private space in all suites with open-air baths

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Rokasumi is unique in that all 11 rooms are suites with open-air baths. There are three types: Deluxe, Premium, and the top-of-the-line Roka Suite, with a relaxing stone bath that retains heat. We purposely did not provide a large public bath, and each guest room remains your own personal sanctuary.

You can cool down after visiting art without worrying about other people’s attention.The design emphasizes privacy, ensuring that your entire stay is a personal “art retreat.” 

 

 4. Exploration of food — Setouchi gastronomy is divided into innovation and reputation

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The food experience at Rokasumi focuses on innovative Japanese cuisine featuring fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea. The restaurant’s creative approach to creating a “new type of sushi” that surprises guests has been praised by some foodies.

For guests looking for an innovative culinary experience, this can be the highlight of their stay. This challenging gastronomy is an important part of the experience offered by Roka and is an essential element in measuring its appeal. 

 

 ■Access information to “Naoshima Ryokan Roka”

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2. Yumoto Konpira Onsen Hananoyu Kobaitei — Konpira no Yu Inn

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Source: Yumoto Konpira Onsen Hananoyu Kobaitei official website

 ■The charm of “Yumoto Konpira Onsen Hananoyu Kobaitei”

Standing majestically in the historic temple town of Kotohira Shrine, Yumoto Konpira Onsen Hananoyu Kobaitei is an inn that embodies the essence of a traditional Japanese hot spring inn. Its name is known throughout the country for its vast and diverse hot spring facilities, outstanding gastronomy, and unwavering hospitality. Having been selected as a “5-star inn” and “100 Japanese hotels and inns selected by professionals”, it can truly be called the gold standard for traditional ryokan experiences.

 1. An amazing hot spring experience — 2 hot springs and 15 baths

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The biggest attraction of Kobaitei is its unparalleled hot spring facilities. There are three different types of baths within the facility: “Hana Sumika”, “Hana Terrace”, and the privately reserved “Hana Club”, and you can tour a total of 15 different types of baths. What is noteworthy is that the large communal bath uses the sodium-chloride hot spring “Yumoto Konpira Onsen Hana no Yu”, and the open-air bath draws from “Kotohira-cho Chikoin Onsen”, two different types of hot springs.

At Hana Roten, which is especially popular among women, roses and orchids are floated depending on the time of day, creating an elegant atmosphere.

 

 2. A world of gourmet food where the head chef shows off his skills

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Kobaitei’s food is an important pillar supporting its reputation. What is noteworthy is that they are able to balance two different food styles: high-quality kaiseki cuisine and a high-quality buffet with a wide variety of items.

The Kaiseki cuisine served at Kappo Dining “Maruchu” uses plenty of high-quality local ingredients such as Sanuki Olive beef and fresh seafood from the Setouchi Inland Sea, and will delight gourmets. On the other hand, the breakfast buffet, which has won an award at the Jalan Awards, has about 60 different Japanese and Western dishes, and is popular for its high quality and freshly prepared food prepared in a live kitchen.

 

 3. Hospitality that meets diverse needs

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“Kobai-tei” takes advantage of the economies of scale of a traditional large-scale inn to carefully respond to the needs of a surprisingly diverse range of guests. Guest rooms range from standard Japanese-style rooms to luxurious suites with open-air baths. A symbolic initiative that responds to the demands of the times is Toraume, a luxury villa where pets are welcome, which opened in June 2024.

This is a thorough approach that does not simply provide pet-friendly rooms, but builds new high-quality facilities exclusively for them, and has received overwhelming support from pet owners.

 

 4. Historical location in front of Kotohira Shrine

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The highly convenient location, just a 5-minute walk from JR Kotohira Station, further enhances the value of Kobaitei. As a base for visiting Kotohira Shrine, affectionately known as “Konpira-san,” the conditions are perfect. Many guests look forward to the inn’s hot springs and gourmet food after climbing the 785 stone steps to visit the shrine.

This series of experiences of “the labor of worship” and “healing at the inn” elevates your stay from just an overnight stay to an unforgettable cultural journey.

 

 ■”Yumoto Konpira Onsen Hananoyu Kobaitei”Access information

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3. THE CHELSEA BREATH — All Inclusive Hills

img_main03-pc (1)Source: THE CHELSEA BREATH Official Website

 ■Charm of “THE CHELSEA BREATH”

“THE CHELSEA BREATH”, which stands quietly on a hill on the outskirts of Takamatsu City, is a sophisticated retreat hotel for adults. Its unique character is shaped by three clear concepts: “a quiet hill location,” “an adult-only space restricted to children under elementary school age,” and “an all-inclusive experience where you can enjoy your stay without having to worry about costs.”


 1. The true value of all-inclusive

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At the core of THE CHELSEA BREATH experience is the all-inclusive concept. This goes beyond alcoholic drinks, snacks and ice cream served in two dedicated lounges. Drinks at the restaurant for dinner and breakfast, and even Sanuki Curry Udon, which is served as a late night snack, are included in the room rate.

The real value of this system, beyond just being “free,” is that it removes the very thought process of “worrying about paying.” During their stay, guests are completely freed from the small decisions and financial calculations that occur every time they order something.

 

 2. French Kaiseki with the theme of Shikoku taste travelogue

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The hotel’s culinary signature is a creative multi-course meal called “French Kaiseki.” With the theme of “Shikoku Taste Travel”, we use carefully selected ingredients from the four prefectures of Shikoku, and fuse French cooking techniques with the spirit of Japanese Kaiseki cuisine. This dish blends perfectly with the hotel’s “Japanese modern” architectural design and overall concept, making it more than just a meal, it is an important element that expresses the hotel brand.

The beauty, creativity, and deep flavor of our dishes have earned us overwhelming praise from our guests, with many saying it’s worth staying just for this dish.

 

 3. A quiet space for adults to breathe

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“THE CHELSEA BREATH” maintains an “adults only” policy that restricts the use of children under elementary school age. Add to this the hilltop location away from the hustle and bustle of the city, creating a uniquely quiet and peaceful environment. Some guests have complained about the inconvenience of transportation, but that’s a deliberate trade-off the hotel has made to deliver on its promise of tranquility.

The hotel is designed as a ‘sanctuary’, a destination in itself, rather than a tourist hub. For adults who want to escape from everyday life and reset their mind and body, this isolated environment is the ultimate luxury.

 

 4. Anniversary support close to your heart

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The know-how and hospitality needed to create the perfect special day are deeply rooted in hotel management. Therefore, we have a good reputation for supporting “anniversary stays” such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

Many hotels offer anniversary plans, but for THE CHELSEA BREATH, it is part of our corporate culture and our specialty.

 ■“THE CHELSEA BREATH”Access information

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