The answer to all questions of food ideas and menu are found at the farm.
Chefs from around the world search for ingredients or pursue their culinary ideals, sometimes even settling in the regions they explore. Tashi Gyamtso, who built his career as a sous chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant ‘Blue Hill at Stone Barns’ in New York, is one such individual.
To bring Tashi’s vision of creating the ultimate dish from ingredients imbued with the Earth’s vitality to life, ‘ENOWA YUFUIN’ began cultivating farmland nearly three years before the hotel opened. Under the guidance of Ishiwari Farm, which has a history spanning ten generations in Kyoto, they started with soil preparation and ventured into vegetable cultivation, leading up to the hotel’s opening in 2023.
With a view of Mount Yufu, ENOWA FARM offers farm tours, with the aim of connecting guests with their food as closely as possible.
With farming prowess akin to magic, The vegetables grown by Teruhisa Ishiwari are truly gifts from the earth. Producing the ultimate quality in order made vegetables, he enjoys praise and support from three-star restaurants throughout Japan.
At ‘ENOWA FARM,’ which is rooted in the hotel’s origins, around 30 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and fruits are grown seasonally, totaling over 200 types. The restaurant does not have a fixed menu; each morning, the chef personally visits the farm to select the best ingredients of the day, creating a unique dish for that moment. Sometimes simple, sometimes bold, what matters most to Tashi is the energy that the ingredients convey.
First image : Executive Chef Tashi Gyamtso showcases the ultimate terroir at the hotel’s main dining restaurant, ‘JIMGU.’
Second image : In recent years, they’ve partnered with a nearby poultry farm to harvest fresh eggs daily.
“For a chef, knowing where and how ingredients are grown is essential. Choosing perfectly ripened vegetables and fruits by hand and using freshly harvested produce for that evening’s dinner is an unparalleled luxury and a true joy. These carefully cultivated ingredients offer the purest nutrition for our bodies, bringing genuine richness.”
After hearing Tashi’s words, you can’t help but want to savor the “dish of the day, in that moment,” each day over an extended stay, as the earth shares its bounty.
JIMGU showcases a modern design that complements its refined cuisine.
Vibrant dishes crafted with a deep love for the vegetables.
While the cuisine is extraordinary, ENOWA YUFUIN also captivates with its refined, cultivated atmosphere, where relaxation and sophistication blend seamlessly. With only 19 guest rooms—10 villas and 9 rooms tucked along the slopes with views of Mount Yufu—each room includes an open-air bath fed by 100% natural hot spring water, and unique interior designs that invite guests to return for a fresh experience each time. Inside the hotel, guests can connect with ‘ENOWA FARM’ through the ‘Indoor Garden,’ while the grounds offer distinct spaces, like the ‘Herb Garden,’ ‘Healing Garden,’ and ‘Working Garden,’ providing a perfect retreat for everyone.
First image : The slope of the mountain has been carefully utilized to ensure guest privacy.
Second image : At the Indoor Garden, guests can savor an aperitif paired with the vegetables grown on-site.
“When I first visited, I was deeply drawn to the area’s stunning natural beauty and the warmth of the people in Yufuin. For our international guests, I hope they can fully immerse in the energy of this mystical landscape, feel the power of the hot springs, and savor the delicate vegetables that stimulate all five senses,” Tashi shares.
Reflecting his resonance with the land, Tashi hikes up Mount Yufu many times, seeking closeness to the earth’s unique mysteries found only here.
Hilltop Sky Pavilion A features a stunning infinity pool and hot spring.
Photo provided by ENOWA YUFUIN
ENOWA YUFUIN
Address: 544 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture
Phone: 0977-28-8310
https://enowa-yufuin.jp/?locale=en
