Wa is a Japanese cultural concept usually translated into English as ‘harmony’. It implies a peaceful unity and conformity within a social group, a designated area or the natural surroundings of a place. From the moment I walked into Gora Byakudan, in the hill-station town of Hakone, this notion felt ever-present. The elegant interiors and sense of place were very welcoming, calming and comforting all at the same time.