The Hotel EN of Takeda Castle 竹田城城下町ホテルEN

A luxury establishment

Located in the city of Asago, in Hyôgo prefecture, the EN hotel is a luxury establishment belonging to the Nipponia chain, which specializes in the renovation and transformation of old buildings into hotels that showcase traditional Japanese architecture. If staying there can be quite expensive (allow at least a hundred euros per night and per person for the cheapest room, knowing that prices vary during the year), it nevertheless promises its visitors a unique experience .

Built more than 400 years ago, the building that now houses the hotel was originally a place of residence before becoming the Kimura sake brewery , which was very famous in the region, in 1625 . Rebuilt for the last time in 1902 following a fire, it is today classified as a cultural heritage by the Japanese government, because of its history but also of its remarkable architecture .

All wood and shouji (walls made of rice paper) and a true jewel of traditional Japanese architecture , the EN hotel has 4 rooms in the main building, but also an annex with 2 floors and 4 other rooms and intended to accommodate large groups of travellers. In order to preserve the authenticity of the building and to allow travelers to live, during their stay, an unforgettable experience, very few modifications have been made to the various rooms which have been transformed into bedrooms.

See also: Rent a car in Hyôgo Prefecture

Although the sake brewery is no longer in operation today, the EN hotel also knows how to take advantage of its past by offering tours of the different rooms of the old brewery . Other activities are also offered to the curious, such as various workshops led by artisans from the region or a market that takes place once a month.

Read also: Sake

If you want to admire the sea of clouds that surrounds the castle, it is in the fall that you will have to go there, and more precisely in October and November, at daybreak (between 6 am and 6:30 am). Do not panic if your stay takes place in summer or winter, the ruins are also to their advantage when they are surrounded by lush summer vegetation or covered with snow .

However, be careful not to forget to bring a good pair of sneakers or hiking boots if you plan to visit the ruins since it takes 30 to 40 minutes to climb to access the most beautiful viewpoints.

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