| Shizuka Ryokan |
| 静か旅館 |
Jen Swanton took some time out to head up to Hepburn Springs and to Shizuka Ryokan. While she was there, she | caught up with Alison Harbick and managed to get a 10% discount for JETAA members. Way to go, Jen! |
 | If you're yearning for a little taste of Japan close to home, Shizuka Ryokan may just the be place to put those "homesick" blues at ease. Located in Hepburn Springs in Victoria's northwest, Shizuka Ryokan is a Japanese style country retreat, which provides accommodation and meals, in a picturesque, tranquil setting. From the slippers in the genkan, to the shoji doors and tatami rooms, you'll be crying "natsukashii" at every turn. It's a soothing and somewhat surreal place - the innovation of long time friends Alison Harbick and Rosemary Carrick, who run the ryokan with their respective husbands, Kiyoyuki Eguchi and Marco Piccioneri. Intrigued by the idea that there could be a traditional Japanese style lodging right here in Victoria, I interviewed Alison about Shizuka and how it came to be in the first place. |
AH: I first went to Japan in 1990 with my friend Rosemary Carrick to teach English. We ended up staying for about two years during which we both became interested in the culture and particularly the traditional style of Japanese living. We dreamed of one day building a Japanese style guest house in Australia to introduce Australians to the beauty of Japanese culture. I returned for a further couple of years and met my now husband. He has a background in architectural design and also cooking, so when we all hooked up back in 1996 we revisited the idea of establishing a ryokan in Australia. Rosemary's husband is also a chef so between the four of us and a wonderful bunch of Japanese staff we have been running the business now for over three years.
JS: What were some of the logistical problems you came across whilst building it?AH: Building the ryokan was a nightmare with many mistakes having to be corrected and lots of supervision needed. Having worked with Japanese carpenters, Kiyo nearly had a heart attack each day with the Australian builders trying to meld the two different styles of working. In Japan everything is much more precise and carefully done. But we ended up with a building that we get many compliments on and which was eventually worth all the frustrations.
JS: How close is it in authenticity, to a true Japanese ryokan experience?
AH: We have tried to design the Shizuka experience to be as close to that of a ryokan in Japan while still being accessible and in fact comfortable for most Australians. We have kept it as authentic as possible in some areas - i.e. shoes are removed on entry, futons are flat on the floor - but some aspects such as a fireplace in the lounge and the option of a Western breakfast have been added to cater for those not quite ready for a cultural immersion and wanting some of the usual luxuries. We think that the success of our business has rested on this dedication to being as authentic as possible which makes us so different to the other accommodation options available.
