Japanese Inn Puts Kombu Kelp at the Heart of Its Dining and Spa Experience

An inn in central Japan has taken its approach to kombu — Japan's edible kelp — beyond the dining table, making the ingredient the centerpiece of a whole-stay experience.

According to the inn, guests can enjoy kombu not only in their meals but also in cocktails. The property additionally offers baths infused with kombu essence for soaking, along with spa treatments that use the kelp as a key ingredient.

The approach reflects the inn's effort to draw on kombu across a range of experiences — from food and drink to relaxation and wellness — rather than confining the traditional ingredient to mealtimes.