Japan's Hot Springs: Hoshinoya, Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture
Hoshinoya 星のや
Hoshinoya Resort, the flagship of the Hoshino group of deluxe ryokan and hotels, is located in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture just over an hour by Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo.
The Hoshino company has its roots in this Japanese inn opened in Karuizawa in 1904 and now has accommodations in Arashiyama in Kyoto, two inns on Taketomi Island in Okinawa, one in the Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture, others in Tamatsukuri in the Izumo region of Shimane, Atami, Hakone, Ito in Shizuoka, Kaga Onsen in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanzanji on Lake Hamana in Hamamatsu and Kai Aso in Oita Prefecture and also the Risonare Yatsugatake in Yamanashi.
Hoshino accommodations have less than 50 rooms and offer delicious, multi-course, kaiseki cuisine in the evening and traditional Japanese breakfasts in superb natural surroundings.
Facilities at Hoshinoya
The spacious villas at Hoshinoya are either right on the river or set on the surrounding hillside.
All the villas have a spacious terrace and some of them are two-story structures with a living room downstairs and a bedroom upstairs.
The finely-decorated rooms have a large lounge and bedroom with two double beds and include LAN internet access, humidifier, and CD/DVD player. There is no TV in the rooms.
The Hoshinoya Ryokan area includes the Harunire Terrace which can be reached by free shuttle bus. There are 14 shops and restaurants including Chinese, French and Japanese dining options.
The Library Lounge area is a comfy space to relax, read and enjoy the complimentary drinks and snacks on offer.
The Kids Room is a place where your children can play under supervision while you relax and enjoy the onsen or spa treatment.
The Chaya Tea House has been restored to as a space for morning stretching and learning Japanese crafts.
Winter treats include the Starry Sky Bar, a skating rink and full moon walks. Other activities that guests at Hoshinoya can join include Eco tours of the Karuizawa Wild Sanctuary and trips to see the Snow Monkeys in Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park and Zenkoji Temple in Nagano city.
Cuisine at Hoshinoya
One of the delights at staying at a Hoshino Resort is the excellence of the cuisine, superbly cooked and presented by top class chefs. The menus are seasonal and source local produce.
Hoshinoya offers such local delicacies as locally-raised duck from the Shinshu area, shabu-shabu and a mouth-watering selection of desserts.
Access - Getting to Hoshinoya
Hoshinoya
Hoshino
Karuizawa-machi
Kitasaku-gun
Nagano, 389-0194
Tel: 050 3786 0066
There is a shuttle bus service to Hoshinoya from Karuizawa Station which is 77 minutes by Nagano shinkansen from Tokyo Station.
Japanese Bath Products
Purchase a range of wooden Japanese bath products made from the finest Japanese wood including original bath buckets, chairs and soap basins to give your bathroom that Japanese hot spring onsen feel.
Guide Books on Japan
