Karuizawa｜Stay at Hoshinoya Karuizawa Mizunami Room

It takes only an hour to reach Karuizawa, a forest hill, from downtown Tokyo by Shinkansen. The cherry blossoms in spring, the coolness in summer, and the autumn leaves are all picturesque. This time, I was lucky enough to see the romantic winter snow. Hoshinoya Karuizawa is a famous highland resort in Japan, located at an altitude of about 900 to 1,000 meters in Nagano Prefecture. It was a village of inns during the Edo period and a summer resort for foreigners during the Meiji period. As the first top hotel of the Hoshinoya brand, it is the best choice for your first trip to Karuizawa. The hotel has a total of 77 rooms, divided into three types: the Yama no Michi Room on the hillside, the Mizunami Room in the water, and the Garden Room in front of the garden. The Mizunami Room I stayed in this time can accommodate 2-3 people at the same time, with a water balcony outside the room and a private bath inside. Hoshino Onsen opened in 1915. It is a natural hot spring that gushes directly from the source. The smooth and warm spring water is believed to wash away impurities from the body. After soaking in the hot spring, a thin layer of salt will remain on the body to keep the skin hydrated. Within walking distance of the hotel is the public bath Hoshino Onsen Tombo no Yu, as well as a meditation hot spring exclusively for hotel guests. In terms of dining, the hotel has a self-service restaurant offering seasonal kaiseki or shabu-shabu dinner options, which need to be reserved in advance. Breakfast is also served in the space connected to the check-in lobby, with Japanese/Western options and room service. There are also free refreshments every day at 5 pm. Whether you are sitting outdoors drinking pumpkin soup or dazing in the indoor book gallery, the sound of gurgling water echoes in the valley, and the trees stretch freely in front of you, immersing you in the unique tranquility of the mountains. In terms of entertainment facilities, there are regular spa treatments, morning yoga stretching programs, guided bird-watching activities in the mountains and forests, etc. In winter, there is also an ice rink and Christmas lights. The villagers' cafeteria and Elm Town, also developed by the Hoshino Group, are within the surrounding area. There is a shuttle bus every ten minutes to the Highland Church and Stone Church. There is also a free shuttle bus from Karuizawa Shinkansen Station to the hotel lobby. In terms of the overall experience, after all, it has been open to the public for many years, and the old facilities are inevitable. Many old-fashioned space designs have long been outdated (I was afraid of the stairs from the restaurant to the lobby every day, which is very unfriendly to the elderly and children). But the service is delicate and thoughtful, capturing the essence of hospitality. I will never forget the night snow on the way back to my room after soaking in the hot spring, slightly drunk under the starry sky, and falling asleep with a good dream. The next day, I woke up to another world. 🍄‍🟫Hoshinoya Karuizawa 📍2148 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano