The hotel is located in the Karuizawa High Land, 150km northwest of Tokyo.  Based at the foot of Mt. Asama, an active volcano, it is a popular destination for vacations, weddings and second homes.  Many artists, intellectuals, and even Royal family members (The Emperor and Empress first met here) spend summers here escaping the heat and humidity.  To get here from Tokyo, take a BulletTrain which takes you to Karuizawa in little over an hour.

Our resort offers a vacation set in a rural Japanese village nestled along a creek drawn from Yukawa River.  Guests will feel the serenity from the soothing sound of water, seasonal colorful trees, terraced paddy fields, and nights of illuminated floating lanterns on the creek.

Each of our 77 villas has a gorgeous view.  The interiors are designed in a sophisticated contemporary Japanese style to be extremely comfortable.  The resort perfectly blends with nature and received the 2006 Good Design Award for Architecture and Environment.

In your room, you will find a pair of slippers at the entrance and two sets of clothes on the bed.  One is 2-piece called “samui”, loose fit Japanese craftsman’s clothes.  The other is a casual kimono, “yukata”.  After all, this is a Japanese “ryokan” (hot springs spa hotel).  You are expected to take your shoes off and encouraged to change to either of these clothes.  So kick your shoes off, enjoy the coolness of the sleek hardwood floor in warm days and pleasant warmth of the heated floor in cold days, and have a relaxing time in your living room with your choice of Virtuoso amenity, “Nagocha”, tea and a variety of pretty Japanese cake.  Since you are free to go anywhere in the resort in those clothes, walk to other relaxing places, the library lounge, where books, oversized couches, and complimentary beverages are available all day.

What is very unique about Hoshinoya is its hot springs spa.  All of our baths are filled constantly with mineral-rich, natural hot springs water.  Each villa has a deep tub so you can immerse yourself in the privacy of your own room.  We also have a “Meditation Bath” for guests only.  This common bath has an almost surreal atmosphere with a mystical combination of light and dark.  Or guests can also visit,“Tombonoyu”, a very popular public bath with big indoor and outdoor tubs.  Our spa treatments are also superb.  Either in the spa villas or in your room, you will be pampered with exotic oriental herbs and aromas.

Hoshinoya Karuizawa offers you the opportunity to forget about time and really enjoy the freedom to choose from a great selection of dining alternatives.  We offer a truly unique range of restaurants that specialize in local delicacies of the Shinshu area and seasonal ingredients.  There are two restaurants that offer Japanese cuisine at Hoshinoya.  “Kasuke” for guests only, is run by a renowned chef whoserves traditional multiple course dinners and breakfast with fresh seasonal ingredients.  Here, slow down and savor the meal among the beautiful interior design and exquisite presentations of food.  Also “Sonmin-Shokudo”, which literally translated is “Villagers’ Restaurant”.  It is more casual and is always bustling with tourists and locals.  Or you may enjoy a taste of the four seasons in Karuizawa to stimulate your senses at “Restaurant No One’s Recipe”.

Hoshinoya Ecotours – This is an exclusive tour providing Hoshinoya guests with the opportunity to enjoy nature in small groups.  “Picchio” guided tours received the grand prize at the 1st Japan Ecotourism Awards sponsored by the Ministry for the Environment. An experienced ecotour guide will lead you through the natural forest for a truly unique experience.

Simple, secluded, serene . . . a resort of Japanese ryokan-style villas set along a mist-shrouded river, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa conjures the essence of storied Japan. The area has long been renowned for its healing hot springs, offering travelers the promise of “Water for Beautiful Skin.” HOSHINOYA Karuizawa has perfected the concept with two onsens (natural hot springs) and a host of rejuvenating spa offerings, including a Meditation Bath that weaves light and darkness to create a mystical, soothing setting. Plump futons beckon in elegantly spare guestrooms, while unique restaurants specialize in a range of Shinshu-area delicacies.

For delicious French cuisine, visit Yukawatan restaurant — your meal will be the creation of the first Japanese chef to be recognized at the Bocuse d’Or in 2013.Distance from Tokyo Airport (NRT): 150 minutes