Ito Kowakien, a hot spring hotel renowned for its drinkable hot spring water and alfonsino fish cuisine, located in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, will officially launch a new "Welcome Service" at its lobby lounge starting February 21st, 2026.
To celebrate the opening, the hotel will host a special "Lobby Concert - Spring Begins" on the launch day, proposing a new style of stay where guests can enjoy music and teatime in addition to relaxing in their hot spring rooms.
About Ito Kowakien
Ito Kowakien is situated in Ito Onsen, one of Japan's top hot spring areas by water output volume. The hotel's large public bath "Kowaku-no-Yu" features flowing alkaline simple thermal water, known as the "beauty hot spring," available for guests to enjoy. Furthermore, the hotel possesses a rare "drinkable hot spring (drinking spring)" facility in the Izu region, allowing guests to experience the hot spring's benefits not only externally through bathing but also internally, which has been particularly well-received by female guests.
The hotel has continuously evolved over the years by introducing new services, including facility renovations, opening new dining areas, and offering seasonal accommodation plans. Within the same premises, the separate building "Ito Ryokuyu" recently opened a private dining room "Fuji" in February 2026, providing more private stays with all rooms featuring garden open-air baths. Despite being a long-established inn, the hotel consistently creates new experiences.
New Lobby Lounge Welcome Service
The newly launched welcome service at the lobby lounge incorporates Ito Kowakien's unique "drinking spring" culture. The service offers hot spring-steamed buns (manju) and original drinks using local specialties, allowing guests to relax and enjoy "a moment before soaking in the hot spring" right after arrival.
The entire initiative has been named "Spring Begins" to evoke the early arrival of spring, proposing it as a prologue to a journey in Izu where guests can feel the footsteps of spring.
Service Details
Lobby Lounge Hours:
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM:
- Sparkling wine
- Sencha green tea (cold)
- Orange hojicha (cold)
- Hot spring-steamed buns
7:00 AM to 12:00 AM:
- Tea (hot): Darjeeling / Ceylon / Earl Grey / Peach & Mango / Mixed Berry / Green Tea
- Coffee (hot)
*Service offerings may change depending on the season.
Opening Concert - Spring Begins
Date: February 21st, 2026
Location: Ito Kowakien 1st Floor Lobby
Performance Times: 4:20 PM / 5:20 PM (2 performances, approximately 20 minutes each)
*Performance times are subject to change.
Performer
Saxophonist: Mizuki Iwabuchi
Born in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Discovered the saxophone through her middle school brass band. After graduating from Matsumoto Misuzugaoka High School, she completed her studies at Kunitachi College of Music, majoring in saxophone. She later studied abroad in Germany at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln (Cologne University of Music and Dance), pursuing a master's degree. She received the highest evaluation in her chamber music graduation exam at the university but withdrew. After returning to Japan, she won first place in the chamber music division (saxophone quartet) at the 1st Japan Soukyoku Competition. Her saxophone quartet CD work "VARIATIONS" was selected as a Record Geijutsu Outstanding Recording.
Special Limited Accommodation Plan
Period: From February 19th, 2026
Plan Name: [Spring Begins] Lobby Lounge Opening Special - Limited Days - First Come, First Served Great Deal - Chef's Recommended Kaiseki Course with Alfonsino姿煮 & Abalone (Dinner & Breakfast Included)
Price: From 17,600 yen (excluding bathing tax)
*Price per person based on 2 guests per room
Reservation: Official website exclusive plan
https://go-fujita-kanko.reservation.jp/ja/hotels/fkg029/plans/10048987
*Meal contents may change depending on seasonal availability (image shown is an example).
Hotel Overview
Ito Kowakien is a hotel where guests can enjoy both hot springs and cuisine. The hotel owns a rare "drinkable hot spring" in the Ito area. The large public bath features both "hot water" and "lukewarm water," and alternating between them is recommended. For dinner, guests can enjoy various dishes prepared with care by the chef, including the signature "Alfonsino姿煮" (whole simmered alfonsino).
Official Website: https://www.ito-kowakien.com/
