Our Story
About citrexium.com
For over a century, our family has welcomed travelers to this quiet corner of Hakone, where the art of Japanese hospitality is practiced with sincerity and care.
Since 1912
A Legacy of Welcome
Our ryokan was founded in 1912 by the Yamamoto family, who recognized that Hakone's natural hot springs and mountain beauty deserved a place of rest that honored both nature and guest alike. What began as a modest inn with just five rooms has grown into a cherished destination, now in its fourth generation of family stewardship.
The original cedar beams still frame our main hall, and the garden — designed over a century ago using the principles of borrowed scenery (shakkei) — continues to frame views of the surrounding mountains as though they were part of our own grounds.
Through two world wars, economic upheaval, and the passage of time, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to omotenashi, the selfless art of anticipating and fulfilling each guest's needs before they are expressed.
Omotenashi
Our Hospitality Philosophy
Omotenashi is not a service standard — it is a way of being. It means caring for our guests with wholehearted attention, humility, and genuine warmth.
Ichigo Ichie
One encounter, one chance. We treat every guest interaction as a once-in-a-lifetime meeting, bringing our full presence and care to each moment shared.
Wabi-Sabi
We find beauty in imperfection and the passage of time. Our aged wooden corridors, moss-covered stones, and hand-repaired ceramics tell stories that new things cannot.
Wa (Harmony)
Harmony between guest and host, between built space and natural world. Every design choice, every menu selection, every garden path is crafted to foster a sense of peaceful unity.
Responsibility
Sustainability Practices
Caring for the natural world that sustains us is not a modern initiative — it has been part of our philosophy since our founding. The mountains, forests, and springs of Hakone are our partners, and we are their stewards.
- Water Conservation: Our hot spring water is recycled for garden irrigation after cooling, reducing freshwater consumption by 40%.
- Local Sourcing: Over 80% of our kaiseki ingredients come from within 50 kilometers, supporting local farmers and reducing transportation impact.
- Zero-Waste Kitchen: Food scraps are composted and returned to our kitchen garden. We have reduced food waste by 65% since 2018.
- Renewable Energy: Solar panels and geothermal heating from our hot spring sources provide 60% of our energy needs.
- Natural Materials: All renovations use sustainably harvested Japanese cedar, bamboo, and traditional earth plaster techniques.
Our Garden
A Living Masterpiece
Our garden was designed over a century ago following the principles of kaiyushiki, a strolling garden style that reveals new perspectives with each step. Maintained by our dedicated gardener, Tanaka-san, who has tended these grounds for over thirty years, the garden changes with each season yet retains its timeless character.
Stone paths wind past koi ponds, moss-covered lanterns, and carefully pruned pines. In spring, cherry and plum blossoms paint the canopy pink and white. By autumn, the maples blaze in scarlet and gold. Even in winter, the garden holds beauty — snow-capped stones and the stark elegance of bare branches against a grey sky.