If you head up the steep slope toward Mount Tanayama from the Izu Hakone Railway’s “Takyō” Station, you’ll find Star Hills, a stylish 66,000-square-meter vacation home available for exclusive rental, nestled deep in the mountains.

April 25, since the owner, Mr. Mitsui, had some time off, he invited us to stay at the new, stylish lodge at Star Hills for the first time.

Yesterday, Shiozawa’s chronic back pain flared up, so he headed there this morning equipped with pain relief patches and a support belt. Upon arriving at Star Hills, surrounded by fresh greenery, both his body and mind were instantly soothed.

That evening, we were taken to Sushiya Genji, a sushi restaurant near Takyō Station, where we were treated to some wonderful nigiri.

Flounder, Red seabream, Nodoguro, various types of tuna, locally caught squid…, 

In Tokyo, these ingredients—which are outrageously expensive—are skillfully transformed into sushi one after another, and they’re outrageously delicious. There’s just one head chef—it’s fantastic!

When we returned to Star Hills, Dr. Mitsui had started a campfire for us. We had such a good time chatting and watching the flames that we couldn’t get enough of it, so we ended up opening two bottles of delicious wine.

Then, the moon peeked out from behind the clouds.

Thank you for the wonderful sushi, a true local specialty of Izu, and for the evening by the campfire. Doctor Mitsui, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

The next morning, we enjoyed a leisurely cup of tea on the terrace surrounded by the fresh greenery of May, then took a two-hour stroll through the hills of Star Hills.

After soaking in the bathtub placed on the terrace surrounded by fresh greenery, Shiozawa’s back pain had improved by 80%.

Later, Dr. Mitsui baked us pizza for lunch, and we enjoyed another glass of wine in the afternoon, relaxing until evening.

We promised Dr. Mitsui, “Let’s hold a tree-planting ceremony here at this special place, using saplings grown from seeds of the Bodhi tree at Mahabodhi Temple!” and then set off on our return journey.