About moksa
moksa, a name derived from Sanskrit meaning "liberation" or "release."
In this land, once used by nobles and samurai to purify body and mind:
"steamed, scented by wood smoke, soothed by the sound of water, and refreshed by greenery."
It embodies the wish that guests may be freed from daily life, cleanse their weary body and
mind, and enjoy a moment of true tranquillity.
History
N. 01
The mother mountain
of japanese buddhism
moksa is located in Yase,
at the foot of Mount Hiei —often called the “mother
mountain”
of
Japanese Buddhism— surrounded by clear streams and forests.
We invite you to cleanse your weary body and mind,
gently freeing yourself from the
everyday,
and to experience deep relaxation.
May the time you spend here allow your senses to reset and
become a moment of true
serenity.
N. 02
The oldest
steam bath
In Yase, there is a tradition of the oldest steam bath in Japan,
known as "Yase no
Kamaburo."
Since ancient times, this place has been cherished by nobles and
samurai as a
sanctuary
for purifying
body and mind,and in modern times, it has been loved as a retreat
area.
N. 03
A Garden That
records history
The moss garden, carefully preserved even before the birth of the hotel,
reflects the
same history as Rurikoin and quietly holds the shadows of the four seasons.
It is a
living testament to the passage of time and the enduring beauty of nature.
N. 04
Saba Kaido -Connecting
the sea and the capital
Yase sits on the
historic Saba Kaidō,
the route that once carried seafood
from
Wakasa
bay to the capital.
Vegetables and meat throug
the route via Shiga and
Ohara.
Memories carried Kyoto's food culture
still live on in this land.
Origin of moksa
The origin of moksa
The name "moksa," meaning "liberation" or "release" in Sanskrit,
embodies the desire to
gently ease the weary body and mind in this land where the history and memories of Yase
breathe.
It is a place where one can find solace and renewal.
Essence
Steamed - A healing space where history breathes
"Tanjo" - Purify body and mind with the power of charcoal.
"Hijo" - Unwind your mind with the scent of cypress.
"Bijo" - Lead you to beautiful skin.
These are private sauna experiences that convey
the wisdom and culture of Japan's oldest
steam bath,
"Kamaburo," to the present day.
Produced by Mikie Sasano, daughter of the founder of
the renowned "Sauna Shikiji" in
Shizuoka,
a place celebrated as the sacred ground of sauna culture.
At moksa's "Jōan", history and tradition linger in
a special space, offering an
unparalleled sauna experience
that leads to the ultimate state of relaxation.
Scented by wood smoke - Bliss born from the harmony of ingredients and fire
The restaurant "MALA" derives its name from the Sanskrit word meaning "circulation."
True
to its name, it values the sensation of the blessings of the land circulating and becoming
the life force flowing within the body.
Inspired by the "Oharame" culture passed down in
Yase, Kyoto, the restaurant offers dishes prepared over wood fire using fresh and delicate
ingredients.
The crackle of wood, the rising aroma, the flicker of flames.
The primal fire of a wood-burning hearth envelops each ingredient, drawing out its natural
flavours as if a work of art were being born.
With "ethnic modernism" as a sub-theme, just as in art, each dish stirs the senses and
transports to a world beyond the everyday.
With every bite, the landscape, history, and rhythm of the seasons flow through the body -
an experience that transcends mere dining and encounters the memories of the land passed
down through time.
Savour the unparalleled harmony of wood-fired cooking and Kyoto's finest ingredients, a
blissful symphony found only here.
Listening to the sound of water - A hidden retreat embraced by the melody of silence
The gentle murmur of the Takano River and the tranquil greenery of the moss-covered garden
unfold outside the windows.
The nature of Yase, Kyoto, gently loosens the heart and
quietly releases it from the everyday.
The interior, wrapped in the warmth of wood
and filled with soft light,
offers a space where both solitary moments and times spent
with family or close friends harmonise with the natural melody,
deeply healing both body
and mind.
Cradled by the serenity and gentle murmur of waters at the foot of Mount Hiei in Yase, this is a hidden sanctuary to reconnect with one's true self.
Soothing with greenery - The breath of the four seasons woven by Yase's moss garden
The moss garden breathes life into Yase.
Koi fish glide through the pond fed by the clear waters of the Takano River, while weeping
cherries, crepe myrtles, and Japanese andromedas add vibrant colour.
Walking along the paths, with the sounds of wind and insects and the mountains as a gentle
backdrop, the heart slowly returns to nature.
At the lounge "帰去来-Kikyorai-," gaze upon the garden reflecting the four seasons,
surrendering to the presence of the wind.
With each cup, the rhythms of daily life soften, and the breath quietly settles.