What is Hoshinoya Karuizawa?

Hoshinoya Karuizawa is a Selected hotel located in Karuizawa, Japan. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does Hoshinoya Karuizawa have?

Hoshinoya Karuizawa has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is Hoshinoya Karuizawa located?

Hoshinoya Karuizawa is located in Karuizawa, Japan, in the Asia region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book Hoshinoya Karuizawa?

You can view more details and booking information for Hoshinoya Karuizawa through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

Hoshinoya Karuizawa | Selected in Karuizawa, Japan

Name: Hoshinoya Karuizawa
Address: Hoshino, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0194, Japan, Karuizawa, Asia, Japan
Rating: 4.5

Hoshinoya Karuizawa, a Michelin Key Selected property, is consistently praised for its serene natural setting, luxurious accommodations, and exceptional service, offering guests a unique "village of the valley" experience.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Hoshinoya Karuizawa garners an overwhelmingly positive sentiment, often described as a tranquil and luxurious sanctuary deeply connected to nature. It's considered a top-tier luxury ryokan, providing a peaceful escape from urban chaos. The property's concept is ryokan-like, complete with onsen baths and traditional kaiseki dining, but on a larger, more modern scale.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight the resort's profound integration with its natural surroundings, featuring a hot spring, a small lake, and a bird sanctuary. The hot spring baths, including the exclusive Meditation Bath and the public Tombo-no-Yu, are significant draws, offering a rejuvenating experience. The dedicated hospitality, contemporary design with traditional Japanese character, and sustainable energy practices (hydro and geothermal) are also frequently praised.

3. Room Quality

The 77 guest rooms are designed as pavilions or villas, aiming to make guests feel like residents of a village surrounded by trees and water. Accommodations are contemporary in style, yet retain plenty of traditional Japanese character, offering impressive luxury. Many rooms boast high ceilings, large floor-to-ceiling glass windows providing panoramic views of the external landscape, and some even feature geothermally heated floors or terraces overlooking the forest. All rooms are equipped with a private bath. Notably, rooms are often without televisions and newspapers, encouraging a focus on relaxation and disconnecting from daily life. Amenities typically include premium bedding, 24-hour room service, minibars, safes, refrigerators, coffee/tea makers, and complimentary toiletries.

4. Dining Experience

Hoshinoya Karuizawa offers a diverse and high-quality dining experience. The main dining facility, Kasuke, serves evening course dining and hotpot, alongside breakfast referred to as "Alpine Cuisine." Executive Chef Yoshihiro Ishii leads a menu rooted in locality and showcasing Japan's coastal produce, with seasonal course menus. Another option is Western-style course cuisine at Bleston Court Yukawatan. For more casual Japanese meals, guests can visit Sonmin-Shokudo. Breakfast often features a "Whole Food" concept, with vegetable broths simmered for hours. In-room dining is also available.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at Hoshinoya Karuizawa is a key highlight, often described as dedicated and commencing immediately upon arrival. Guests are greeted with a welcome drink, and their cars are valeted. Staff are noted for their pleasant demeanor, creating an atmosphere where guests feel like "villagers" or "friends." The resort provides a driver service using Nissan Cubes to transport guests around the expansive property and to nearby areas like Harunire Terrace. Multilingual staff are also available to assist guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hoshinoya Karuizawa is nestled in a pastoral and nature-abundant environment, set on a hot spring by a small lake and surrounded by forests. It is easily accessible, located about an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train to Karuizawa Station. From Karuizawa Station, the resort offers a complimentary shuttle service, or it's approximately a 20-minute taxi ride. Within the resort, walking is enjoyable, and the internal shuttle service provides convenient transport. Nearby, Harunire Terrace offers a quaint cluster of restaurants, boutique craft stores, and bakeries.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury property, Hoshinoya Karuizawa commands premium pricing. Prices typically start from approximately JPY 70,000 per person per night for double occupancy, which can include dinner and breakfast. Average nightly rates can be around $672, though deals may be found starting from $276 depending on the season and room type. Prices are subject to seasonal fluctuations, with October generally being the most expensive month and February the cheapest. A city tax of JPY 150 per person per night applies.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor points of concern have been noted. One recurring observation is the limited number of amenities available within walking distance outside of the immediate resort village area. Additionally, some rooms, particularly those situated higher up, may involve steep stairs, which could be a consideration for guests with mobility challenges.