For Pilgrimage Preparation & Renewal Hotel Ridge

The Story Held In the Guesthouse

A Place of Hospitality Born from Naruto’s Hometown Spirit

In Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, Hotel Ridge stands within a 230,000 m² forested cape overlooking the Naruto Strait at the eastern edge of Setonaikai National Park. The lodge-style property features just nine guest rooms, nestled along the ridgeline from which it takes its name. From every room, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the tranquil Harima-nada Sea. Its calm waters stretch out like a vast, mirror-like lake.

Hotel Ridge opened its doors in 2006. It is operated by the Otsuka Group, a global healthcare company with its roots in Naruto. “It would be a shame if there were no hotel in Naruto where visitors could truly enjoy an exceptional stay.” Born from this desire to give back to the local community, the hotel continues to embody the founding family’s philosophy to this day.

The Otsuka Group is driven by a desire to contribute to people’s health through our healthcare-related businesses. Here at our hotel, we want our guests—both domestic and international—to enjoy a comfortable stay where they can find relaxation for both body and mind.

The owner’s thoughts and philosophy

Health as the Foundation of Hospitality

The hotel is led by General Manager and Executive Director Katsuhisa Masuda, whose career path is somewhat unusual for the hospitality industry. He joined Otsuka Pharmaceutical in 1984 and spent more than twenty years working as a Medical Representative (MR), supporting healthcare professionals while gradually taking on greater responsibilities as a team leader and branch manager. He later served in Human Resources and the General Affairs Department, overseeing environmental initiatives, before managing one of the Otsuka Group’s employee welfare facilities located near the Otsuka Museum of Art for more than six years. Today, he brings that wealth of experience to Hotel Ridge.

The staff at Hotel Ridge are dedicated to ensuring every guest enjoys a truly comfortable stay. While always respecting the fundamentals of hospitality, each team member is encouraged to express their own individuality in serving guests. By openly sharing both successes and areas for improvement, we believe we have cultivated a style of hospitality unique to Hotel Ridge.

Throughout my career, especially after taking on leadership roles, what I found most rewarding was working alongside my team and sharing both the joys and challenges of the job. I am still a newcomer to the hotel industry, so rather than simply giving instructions, I believe my role is to listen to the thoughts and aspirations of our staff and create an environment where everyone can work with comfort, purpose, and pride. I believe that this is what ultimately leads to the finest hospitality for our guests. I believe that this is what ultimately leads to the finest hospitality for our guests.

Experience Naruto’s Nature and Culture Through All Five Senses

Hotel Ridge is guided by the concept of “Delight for the Five Senses.” We value allowing guests to slowly immerse both body and mind in the power of this environment—the colors of the forest, the seasonal sounds of living creatures, the sea, and the trees, the scent of the tide, and seasonal ingredients—without disturbing its natural harmony.

Ocean-View Lodges Along the Ridgeline

With only nine guest rooms, Hotel Ridge is designed as a series of detached lodge-style spaces, like a quiet row of private retreats. Created primarily for two guests, each room offers time away from the noise of everyday life, surrounded by the “space” of mountains and sea. From interiors where Japanese design meets modern comfort, guests can enjoy views of the calm Seto Inland Sea straight ahead, the Onaruto Bridge over the Naruto Strait to the right, and Awaji Island beyond. As the rooms face east, the sunrise over the sea can also be seen from your room.

Creative Japanese Kaiseki at the Sukiya-Style Banriso

The cuisine, unconstrained by fixed courses, is another hallmark of Hotel Ridge. Centered on the finest seafood and mountain produce from Naruto, Tokushima, while also incorporating carefully selected seasonal ingredients from across Japan, each meal is presented as an original Japanese kaiseki experience. Every detail—from the selection of ingredients to the cutting techniques, presentation, and choice of tableware—is thoughtfully considered by our chefs. Allergies and personal preferences are carefully discussed in advance so that every course can be individually tailored to each guest.

Meals are served at Banriso, a magnificent sukiya-style dining house where master temple carpenters from across Japan showcased their craftsmanship. While overlooking its serene dry landscape garden, guests enjoy both breakfast and dinner. Transportation between the guest lodges and Banriso is provided by Century sedan. For those who appreciate fine wine, our certified sommelier is available to recommend pairings, including Ridge Wine, produced at the Otsuka Group’s own winery, to complement each kaiseki course.

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Temple No.1 Ryozenji

You can watch videos about the history of each temple and interviews with their head priests. Please take a look before your pilgrimage.