November 2024 saw Greenity Iwata Hotel in Shizuoka, Japan, open its doors for the first time. This luxurious hotel
offers visitors a serene retreat, surrounded by lush greenery on a hill overlooking the bustling streets of Iwata.
Just one hour from Tokyo by bullet train, Shizuoka prefecture is home to the iconic Mount Fuji and boasts a spectacular natural environment of coastline, mountains and lakes. The beautiful Izu Peninsula, described as “Japan’s Riviera”, was designated a Global Geopark by UNESCO in April 2018.
The region, which is steeped in history and natural beauty, is also a gourmet paradise. It produces some of the country’s best food and drink, from green tea and wasabi to fresh seafood.
Iwata is located on the western side of Shizuoka, and is, with sea and lush, green mountains nearby, surrounded by nature. The landscape inspired the hotel’s design, from the interior decoration to the gardens. The aim was not only to wow the visitors but also the local community, bringing them together to enjoy the rich culture and history of the region.
The property boasts 55 beautifully designed guest rooms, including ten premium suites, created using high-quality materials to blend in with the property’s surroundings. Guests can connect with nature in the hotel’s gardens adorned with an array of seasonal plants and trees or enjoy the peaceful and calming atmosphere of the property’s lounge and bar overlooking the outside space. Two onsite restaurants serve French and Japanese dishes made using fresh local ingredients, and two private banquet rooms are available for hire.
Throughout Japan, there are around 25,000 natural hot spring sources and Greenity Iwata Hotel has created two large public onsen, or hot springs with bathing facilities, which guests can enjoy. Each onsen has saunas and a choice of open-air or indoor baths. The natural hot spring waters, pumped from 1,500 meters below the hotel’s foundations, are thought to have skin-purifying properties.
As well as the hotel, guests seeking nature and wildlife can enjoy Shishigahana Park, which boosts fabulous displays of cherry blossoms in spring and colourful leaves in autumn. Okegayanuma’s nature conservation area is one of the top natural habitats for dragonflies in Japan, and the Ryuyo Insect Nature Observation Park teems with tiny inhabitants.
For visitors looking for a more racey pace of life, one of the world’s leading motorcycle companies, Yamaha Motor, is headquartered in Iwata City. Yamaha’s Communication Plaza museum is located on-site, with a display of motorcycles and other products created by the motor company for visitors to enjoy.
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