Brazil
Antarctica
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Bermuda
Canada
the United States
Greenland
Mexico
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Egypt
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Historic building · Itō, Shizuoka
Tokaikan
Former three-story wooden ryokan from 1928, on the banks of the Okawa River in central Ito, now open as a cultural center, with tatami rooms, an observation tower and a hot-spring bath on some days.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
A look at the place
Tokaikan in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Discover
About Tokaikan
The Tokaikan was built in 1928 as a ryokan, the traditional Japanese inn, on the banks of the Okawa River when Ito was growing as a hot-spring resort. It operated as a guesthouse until 1997. Afterwards it was donated to the city, restored and opened as a cultural center, and today is a cultural property of Ito.
The wooden building has three floors and a small observation tower at the top. Each floor was made by a different carpenter, so details vary from room to room: lattice windows, plank ceilings, carved panels and polished wooden corridors. The visit follows the tatami rooms, the third-floor hall and the staircase up to the tower, which looks out over the river and the rooftops of the town center.
The Tokaikan’s hot-spring bath, lined with tiles and stone, is usually open to visitors only on certain days of the week, at times separate from the general tour. There is also a tea room on the ground floor with views of the garden and the river.
At night, the illuminated façade is reflected in the Okawa River, and the riverbank has a path that leads to the sea. Tokaikan is about a 10-minute walk from Ito Station, near the public baths in town. On the same riverbank, other old wooden ryokan still operate, together giving a sense of what the hot-spring town looked like in the early 20th century.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
By day, to see the wooden details in natural light; at night, for the lit façade seen from the river. Check the days the bath is open and the days the site is closed.
How to get there
About a 10-minute walk from Ito Station, on the banks of the Okawa River.
Tip
Climb up to the observation tower at the top of the building. If you want to use the bath, check beforehand on which days it is open to visitors.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Tokaikan
What is the Tokaikan?
A former wooden ryokan from 1928 in central Ito, now operating as a cultural center open to visitors.
Can you take a hot-spring bath at the Tokaikan?
On some days of the week, yes, at specific times and for an extra fee. Check the days before you go.
How long does a visit to the Tokaikan take?
30 minutes to 1 hour, walking through the three floors and the tower.
Is the Tokaikan near Ito Station?
Yes, about a 10-minute walk, on the banks of the Okawa River.
Beyond the guide
