Escape to Paradise: Izu Kogen's Mori no Izumi Ito - Unforgettable Onsen Luxury
Escape to Paradise: Mori no Izumi Ito - A Review That's Actually Real (and a Little Bit Messy)
Okay, folks, let's talk real about Mori no Izumi Ito in Izu Kogen. You know, the one they promise is "Unforgettable Onsen Luxury"? I went, I soaked, I ate, and honestly? I'm still trying to process it all. So, buckle up, because this ain't your typical glossy hotel review. This is the raw, unfiltered, slightly-obsessed-with-the-onsen-experience version.
(Disclaimer: This review is based on my own experience. Your mileage will vary. Just saying.)
Accessibility (and My Slightly Clumsy Self):
Right, gotta start with the basics. Accessibility. Because, let's be honest, I’m not exactly graceful. Thankfully, the hotel is pretty decent in this department. The elevator was a LIFESAVER (especially after all that onsen hopping!), and I saw signs for facilities for disabled guests. However, navigating the uneven stone paths outside? That was a workout. Someone with Mobility issues should probably call ahead and clarify details to avoid a 'minor' trip hazard or two.
Getting There (and the Joy of Free Parking):
Okay, huge win: car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site]. Seriously, the convenience of not having to worry about parking is a massive stress reliever, especially when you're lugging a suitcase stuffed with way too many bathrobes. I saw signs for car power charging station too. Planning on flying in? They also offer airport transfer, so that’s covered.
Check-in/out (and the Bliss of Contactless):
Check-in/out [express] and Contactless check-in/out? HELL YEAH. Seriously, I love a smooth process. Especially after a long drive. So, bonus points for that. There was also Check-in/out [private] available, which I didn't use, as I figured if I'm already there, what's the rush?
Rooms (and the Bathtub That Changed My Life):
Alright, let’s talk rooms. Mine was… well, it was a room. Standard stuff: air conditioning, blackout curtains (essential, people!), coffee/tea maker (thank the gods!), and a surprisingly comfy bed. But the real star of the show? The separate shower/bathtub. And not just any bathtub. This was a bathtub built for soaking, for sighing, for forgetting the real world. I spent an embarrassingly long time in there. Just… floating. The bathrobes? Luxuriously soft. The slippers? Heaven. I even had a window that opens, which let in the crisp, clean mountain air. I'm a sucker for that.
Internet (and My Eternal Dependence on Wi-Fi):
Okay, let’s be real. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Internet access – wireless. Internet access – LAN. I'm a digital nomad, so access is non-negotiable. No complaints here. It worked. I could post my envy-inducing onsen pics on Instagram, and that's all that matters, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (and the Mystery of Japanese Breakfast):
Okay, this is where it gets interesting. Let's start with a quick shout-out to the 24-hour room service. Sometimes you just need that midnight snack.
- Asian breakfast and buffet in restaurant: The breakfast was delicious, though I was a bit bamboozled by the traditional Japanese breakfast the first morning. I'm used to cereal and toast and maybe throwing a few berries in, but this was a whole other level of… well, I don't even know how to describe it. But delicious.
- Western Breakfast: If you like the familiar foods of home.
- Restaurants: A la carte, there's various types, you can choose your preference.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop Good. Need I say more?
- **Poolside bar, *Snack bar* I'd also note the bottle of water that's provided.
Things to Do (and the Onsen Obsession Begins):
Alright, let's get to the good stuff. The onsen. THE. ONSEN. I'm not kidding, I think I spent half my trip in various states of steamy bliss. They have Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Sauna, Pool with view, Foot bath. It was a total sensory overload in the best possible way.
I'm a convert. I now understand the hype. Body scrub? Yes, absolutely. Massage? Sign me up. I didn't make it to the fitness center, but honestly, after all that onsen soaking, I didn't feel like I needed a workout. My muscles were already sufficiently relaxed.
Cleanliness and Safety (and the Post-COVID Anxiety):
Okay, I'm a paranoid germaphobe, so this is important. They take hygiene seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere. I’m pretty sure they did a deep clean of every single room. No complaints. I noticed physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Safe dining setup, which put my mind at ease. Seriously, I felt safe.
Services and Conveniences (and the Lost Luggage Moment):
They've got all the usual suspects: Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Luggage storage. I was actually saved by the luggage storage because I slightly overpacked. The concierge was super helpful when I had a minor panic about lost luggage (turns out it was just under the bus).
For the Kids (and My Brief Stint as a Babysitter):
I don't have kids, but I noticed they had Babysitting service and Kids meal options. The hotel definitely seemed Family/child friendly.
My Verdict (and Would I Go Back?):
Mori no Izumi Ito is a slice of heaven, especially if you embrace the onsen life. It's not perfect – okay, the Japanese breakfast threw me for a loop – but the overall experience is incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating.
Would I go back?
Absolutely. I'm already planning my next trip. This is a place where you can truly escape, unwind, and maybe, just maybe, find your inner peace… in a hot spring.
SEO Friendly Keywords (because I'm supposed to do that):
Izu Kogen Hotels
Onsen Hotels Japan
Luxury Hotels Japan
Mori no Izumi Ito Review
Izu Peninsula Hotels
Spa Hotels Japan
Accessible Hotels Japan
Things to do Izu Kogen
Onsen Experience
Hotel Mori No Izumi Ito
Offer: Book your escape to paradise today with Mori no Izumi Ito! Experience the ultimate onsen luxury and unwind in the heart of Izu Kogen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, world-class dining, and rejuvenating spa treatments. Mention this review and receive a complimentary sake tasting! Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience – book now and let your worries melt away!
(End of Review… now I need another onsen.)
Cinere Resort Paradise: Your Dreamy 2BR Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably-slightly-crazy account of my recent pilgrimage to Izu Kogen Onsen Hotel Mori no Izumi Ito, Japan. Prepare for a wild ride – and maybe grab a snack, because this could take a while…
Izu Kogen Onsen Hotel Mori no Izumi Ito: A Messy, Wonderful, Possibly Slightly Embarrassing Itinerary
Pre-Trip Ramblings & Anxiety Vomit (metaphorically…mostly)
- Weeks Before: OMG, Japan! Japan! Japan! I spent weeks obsessively watching YouTube videos of Japanese onsen (hot springs) and practicing my incredibly rusty Japanese (mostly "Sumimasen" and "Arigato"). My suitcase remained stubbornly empty, filled only with the existential dread of packing. I also developed a deep, unhealthy fear of jet lag. I’m convinced it’s a personal vendetta airlines have against my sanity.
- Days Before: Finally, a suitcase! Filled. Barely. Managed to squeeze in enough "cute" socks, and a ridiculously oversized travel pillow that looks like I’m smuggling a small, fluffy animal. Also, a sudden, overwhelming craving for sushi, which I'm convinced is my body's way of preparing for actual sushi in Japan.
- Hour Before: Last-minute panic! Did I bring a universal adapter? Did I download enough podcasts? Did I remember to water my plants? (Spoiler alert: I didn't. RIP, little succulents). The airport was a chaotic swirl of stressed-out people, and I was pretty sure I embodied that perfectly.
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Onsen Overload (and Minor Panic)
- Morning (ish): Flight landed! Hallelujah! Tokyo Narita Airport was…well, it was massive. I navigated (with much, much assistance from helpful airport staff – bless their hearts) and caught the bullet train to Ito. The view? Stunning. Lush greenery, glimpses of the ocean. I briefly considered becoming a landscape photographer, then remembered my camera skills are basically non-existent.
- Afternoon: Arrived at the hotel – Mori no Izumi! It looked even better in person than the photos. Seriously, Pinterest did not do this place justice. Check-in was smooth, and I was immediately ushered to my room. My jaw hit the floor. It was pure Japanese elegance. Tatami mats, sliding paper doors, a tiny balcony with a view that made my soul sing.
- Late Afternoon: The Great Onsen Experiment – My First Japanese Bathing Adventure. I’m not going to lie, the thought of stripping down and bathing with strangers had me slightly panicked. Like, full-blown, cold-sweat, "I'm just going to pretend I lost my room key and hide in a closet" panic. I took a deep breath, grabbed my tiny hotel provided towel, and ventured forth. The onsen was…amazing. The water was so warm and soothing, and the scent of…well, I'm not sure what the scent was, but it was earthy and wonderful. I quickly forgot any self-consciousness as I soaked, lost in the moment and completely blissed out. This was exactly what I needed.
- Evening: Dinner. Oh, the dinner. Kaiseki (multi-course Japanese dinner)! A parade of tiny, exquisite dishes. I was so busy Instagramming each beautiful morsel that I almost forgot to eat! (Priorities, people!). I ate the seared tuna, the tempura vegetables, the mini-soufflé! I might have even made impressed, smacking noises.
Day 2: Hiking, Art & Deep-Fried Tempura (and Internal Struggles)
- Morning: Hiking! I decided to be a “fit traveller,” which is a hilarious thing to say given my general aversion to exercise. I found a trail near the hotel and set off, armed with a map (which I barely understood) and a bottle of water. The hike was…well, let's just say I stopped frequently to admire the view (and catch my breath). The waterfalls were stunning, though and the air was so clean I'm pretty sure I could’ve bottled it and sold it as a new miracle beauty product.
- Mid-day: Visit Izu Kogen Art Museum. It was surprisingly interesting. I’m no art critic, but the exhibits were beautiful and thought-provoking. (Okay, maybe I just stood there and nodded a lot, pretending to understand the abstract paintings.) I'm definitely a person who appreciates the aesthetic of art, even if I don't know what the hell it all means.
- Afternoon: Tempura Triumph (and Calorie Guilt). Walked into a little restaurant and ordered the tempura set. The crunch! The flavour! The perfectly cooked vegetables and shrimp! I devoured everything in about five minutes flat. Afterwards, I felt the familiar clutch of calorie guilt, immediately starting to calculate how many extra steps I had to take (a lot).
- Evening: Back at the onsen. This time, less panic, more pure enjoyment. I felt like a total expert, calmly soaking and observing the other bathers (mostly old ladies) with an air of quiet, zen-like contentment. Followed by a second Kaiseki dinner. Food coma achieved.
Day 3: The Double-Down - Onsen Immersion (and Existential Pondering)
- Morning: Decided, screw it, I’m going to conquer onsen. This time, I took a more strategic approach. Tried all the different baths. (The outside bath, bathing under the open sky, felt like heaven). I might have even given a little courtesy wave to the mountains. The mineral water made my skin soft, I could tell so easily.
- Mid-day: This is it. I'm doing it. I walked in with an utter confidence. The women were very friendly, and I tried to talk to them, I'm pretty sure I said some things wrong, but they all smiled.
- Afternoon: I spent an hour in the onsen. Just…sitting. Staring at the steam. Thinking. Not about anything particularly profound, just generally letting my mind wander. The water. The silence. The feeling of complete relaxation. I swear, I could have stayed there forever. It was a sensory experience. I might have even experienced a slight, brief, existential crisis as I contemplated my place in the vast, uncaring universe. But the warmth of the water quickly chased those thoughts away. I found myself thinking about life, death, my career choices, and whether or not I should buy that pair of ridiculously expensive shoes.
- Evening: Third and last Kaiseki and final onsen. I am almost sobbing to have to leave. I have never felt this calm or at peace. I need to return.
Day 4: Departure & Jet Lag’s Revenge (or, "Hello, World?!")
- Morning: Packing my bags. Reality hits – I have to leave. Goodbye, Mori no Izumi! Goodbye, blissful onsen! Goodbye, tiny, perfectly portioned food! The flight back to the city.
- Afternoon: The airport. The same chaotic energy as before, but this time, I was more immune to the stress. Or maybe it was just the lingering effects of the onsen? I even found myself surprisingly calm and patient in the security line.
- Evening: Jet lag hits. Hard. I stumble around my home, looking like a zombie, fighting off the urge to crawl back into my suitcase and stay in Japan forever. The first night back was a blur of sleep, wakefulness, and confused attempts to communicate with my pet cat.
- The Aftermath: Am I different person after being in Japan? Maybe a little. I'm certainly obsessed with Japanese food. I have a newfound appreciation for tranquility. I have already started planning my return trip. And I'm actively looking into buying some of those "cute" socks.
- Final Thoughts: Stay in Mori no Izumi. You will love it.
Escape to Paradise: Izu Kogen's Mori no Izumi Ito - Seriously, Is It Worth It? (Unfiltered FAQs)
Okay, spilling the tea – is Mori no Izumi Ito *actually* as amazing as those Instagram pics make it out to be? Like, real talk?
Tell me about the rooms. Are they actually as spacious and luxurious as they seem? I need room to breathe, man.
The onsen – private or public? Which do you recommend? Because, you know, I’m a bit shy.
What's the food situation like? Is it all fancy Japanese food? I'm a picky eater, can they handle that?
Is it worth the price tag? Because, let's be real, it's not cheap.
The staff - are they as attentive and helpful as everyone says?
Okay, give me ONE annoying thing about the place. Spill the tea!
Could I see myself going back?
Final verdict: Should I book this place?
