Wellness Forest Ito – Kyoritsu Resort

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what hit me first about Wellness Forest Ito? The name actually makes sense – you’re literally surrounded by forest, and I mean the kind where you wake up to birds instead of traffic. It’s tucked away in the Oka area of Ito, which honestly feels like a different world from the touristy hot spring strip closer to the station. The drive up here winds through some seriously lush hillsides, and when you pull into their parking area (plenty of spots, thank god), you immediately get why they picked this location.

The whole place has this rustic-modern vibe that works surprisingly well – think clean lines but with lots of natural wood and stone. My room had this massive window that basically framed the forest canopy, and I spent way too much time just sitting there with coffee in the morning. The onsen here is the real deal though. It’s not huge like some of the resort chains, but the outdoor bath sits right at the edge of the forest, so you’re soaking in mineral-rich water while listening to actual nature sounds. I went around sunset one evening and honestly, it was one of those moments where you just stop thinking about everything else. The water quality is excellent – that’s the Izu Peninsula for you, all volcanic activity means incredible hot springs.

Food-wise, they do the traditional kaiseki dinner thing, but with a wellness twist that doesn’t feel gimmicky. Lots of local mountain vegetables and fresh seafood from nearby Sagami Bay. The breakfast spread actually got me excited – proper Japanese breakfast with grilled fish, miso soup, and pickles, plus some Western options that didn’t feel like an afterthought. Service is attentive without being hovering, which I appreciated. The staff clearly knows the area well too – they pointed me toward some hiking trails I never would have found otherwise. Honestly, the location is what sets this place apart. You’re about 20 minutes from Ito Station by car, but it feels completely removed from any hustle. Perfect if you want to actually disconnect for a few days. It’s pricier than your average business hotel, sure, but for a proper forest retreat with quality hot springs and thoughtful service, it delivers on what it promises.