Few residences can claim to have remained in the same family for five centuries. This ryokan, established by the Asaba family in 1484, is one of them. Each guest room honours the residence’s legacy with the thoughtful touch of a name, rather than a number. Meals are served in-room following the kaiseki tradition, artfully showcasing the produce of the surrounding Shizuoka region. Interiors are uncluttered, embracing the concept of Ma, an appreciation of emptiness and space, to allow the outdoors to blend seamlessly into daily life. Calligraphy prints and floral arrangements add gentle touches, while at the heart of the experience, the onsen – fed by natural hot springs – immerse guests in a five-century legacy of serenity.