20 Ryokan with Incredible Hot Springs in Karuizawa: Refresh Your Mind and Body While on Vacation!

10 Recommended Onsen Lodges in New/Old Karuizawa

1. The Prince Karuizawa

The Prince Karuizawa is a modern resort hotel fully equipped with skiing grounds and a golf course, and all rooms have a picturesque view of Mt. Asama. During your stay, you'll have unlimited access to the hot spring area via a hotel-run shuttle bus that traverses the hotel grounds. You'll also have the luxuries of an indoor bath, an open-air bath, and a steam sauna, right in the center of the lush green surrounding forest.

The Forest Hot Spring, exclusive to hotel guests, sources its water from a nearby natural spring. Between the exquisite seasonal beauty of the nearby nature and the bliss of being enveloped in the steamy, clear waters of the natural spring, how about spending some time in lavish ease and comfort at the resort?

2. TOKYU Harvest Club - Kyu Karuizawa

3. Le Grand Kyu Karuizawa Hotel

The open-air bath on the top floor reflects the sunlight that pours through the outstretched branches of the trees by day and offers a starry mountain sky by night for two different kinds of stunning bath experiences. Their hot spring water is sourced from the famous Hanamaki Spring in Iwate Prefecture, where the amber water has the viscosity of high-end perfume. The spring water is also said to improve the sheen of your skin. Le Grand offers an opulent, one-of-a-kind experience in pure luxury.     

To ensure that you can make the most of your time during your stay, Le Grand has rental bikes for you to make your way around. As a popular vacation area, Karuizawa is rife in recreational activities and there are many ways to explore the art and culture of the area. You also have multiple options to choose from if you'd rather go shopping. Feel free to tailor your schedule according to your interests while Le Grand takes care of everything else to make sure your stay is as relaxing as it can possibly be.

4. Le Chien

5. Karuizawa Prince Hotel East

Karuizawa Prince Hotel East is a modern resort hotel furnished with many pieces of artwork. Its design is inspired by the nearby forest and gives the facility quite a different feel from typical Prince Hotels. There are also spectacular views of the different shades of green from the guest rooms at the main building, and a cottage room where dogs are permitted.

At the spa, you can relieve all of the built-up tension in your body with a white birch and lavender oil massage, all while listening to the ambient sounds of a singing bowl and exercising some deep breathing. How about some relaxation in tandem with a vacation getaway?

6. Tsuruya Ryokan

You might be intrigued to know that Karuizawa was first popularized as a vacation spot by a Canadian priest, and it was in fact foreigners in Japan who first started building vacation homes in the area. This Western influence is evident in Tsuruya Ryokan, an old-fashioned lodge highly popular with those visiting from abroad. On account of its history, the lodge has a quaint feel and you can taste the culinary traditions that have been passed down in their cuisine. The ryokan is also in a convenient location that serves as a useful base for getting around Karuizawa.

The waters of the inn's onsen baths are drawn from Karuizawa's natural water, and the igneous rocks in the soft water are said to have far infrared properties that better relax the body. Many literary giants are said to have frequented this relaxing ryokan, so you're sure to enjoy a restful time.

7. Hotel Cypress Karuizawa

8. Karuizawa Hotel LONGINGHOUSE

The hotel has a picturesque look, like something out of a fairy tale, and the dainty appearance of the premises attracts many visitors. They also offer various stay plans depending on whether you're visiting as a couple, solo traveler, or a parent with a child. It's highly recommended that you stay at LONGINGHOUSE if you're looking for an unconventional and extraordinary vacation in Karuizawa.

9. Yuusuge Onsen Ryokan

Yuusuge Onsen Ryokan takes pride in their hot springs, and they even accept day guests who are interested in enjoying their baths. The soft water of the natural hot spring is sourced from the ground and warms your body from the outside-in. The old-fashioned atmosphere is homely and unpretentious.

The ryokan has been traditionally family-run, sustaining the warm hospitality of the Showa Era (1926-1989) that evokes nostalgia for anyone who's stayed overnight with classmates during field trips. Traditional Japanese meals are prepared from scratch using seasonal ingredients, and the time and care taken to cook the dishes are reflected in the delicious taste. Their room rates are also very affordable.

10. KYUKARUIZAWA KIKYO

KIKYO is a high-end resort hotel that stands nearby the main street of Kyu Karuizawa. During a stay at the hotel, you'll be met with cordial hospitality in their leisurely and timeless atmosphere. The morning buffet and dinner are sublime, both in flavor and atmosphere.

The large public bath is adorned with trees and rocks, creating a serene and pleasant scenery while you bathe. The hotel concept is about new beginnings; to refresh and revitalize both physically and mentally to achieve a state of complete relaxation.

5 Recommended Hot Spring Hotels in Naka Karuizawa

1. Karuizawa Marriott Hotel

Karuizawa Marriott Hotel stands amidst a quiet forest, and the establishment takes pride in its pristine interior and hospitality. The public bath and open-air bath accept day visitors during the spring and it sources its water from Kose Onsen, whose water is known for its pore cleansing properties. The rooms in the north wing have access to the waters of Shiotaku Onsen, which is said to help soothe pain from rheumatism and other muscular pains.

Staying with dogs is permitted in the cottage rooms where you'll have beautiful seasonal views of the surrounding forest, along with heated floors for when it gets cold. Some rooms even include their own open-air hot spring baths and private gardens. The opulent facilities and picturesque setting of the hotel are popular with vacationers, and the hotel has a private bus for pick up and drop off from and to Karuizawa Station for easy access.

2. Kutsukake Stay Naka Karuizawa

Kutsukake Stay was once an old traditional Japanese house, but after some renovations, it has become a guest house with modern functionality. The historical building and its garden are both popular, with a sense of Japanese culture that international travelers particularly love. Meals consist of traditional Japanese cuisine, and even the cutlery and tableware match the ambience. The earthy and quaint feel makes relaxation a matter of course.

Once settled in, some leisurely reading on the lounge sofa out on the terrace is an enticing prospect for a moment of private time. The library space also reflects a stylistically Japanese touch, and the quiet space is optimal for its intended purpose. Visitors can enjoy a day of shopping in the area during the day and have lively conversations over some sumptuously prepared dinners at night. There is also, of course, a large public bath where you can immerse yourself in the steamy waters. 

3. Shiotsubo Onsen Hotel

According to legend, this natural spring was said to have been found by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate. The spring water will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and warm after a hot bath. There is both a jacuzzi and neyu (a bath you can lie down in) in the large public bath, as well as a reserved family bath that, needless to say, is a popular attraction for traveling families. The hotel is recommended for a slow-going, reclusive kind of escape.

Another attraction of the location is Lake Myojin, which can be found right in front of the lounge and is the natural habitat of many birds. The period between autumn and winter is an especially good time for seeing wildlife like birds and squirrels - a sight you can enjoy while sipping hot drinks and having a meal indoors. The convenience of the location for birdwatching is recommended, even for those who have no prior experience.

4. HOSHINOYA Karuizawa

The establishment also takes pride in their hot spring, which sources its water from a natural spring. There are two sublime hot springs that are offered exclusively for guests. The first is the meditation bath, oriented to facilitate a serene experience with fine adjustments to the lighting. The other is Tombo no Yu, which offers a view of cherry blossoms, fall leaves, and snowscapes, depending on the season. The unique variance of the baths each leave a lasting impression on your senses, and you may find it difficult to avoid the temptation of taking multiple baths. 

5. Nakadanasou

The water of the open-air bath is continually replenished and sourced from a natural spring, and you'll have access to an indoor bath as well as a reserved bath. Between October and May, locally grown apples are placed in the baths in homage to a poem about a bittersweet first love written by Shimazaki. The fragrant scent of the apple bath is also a winter seasonal tradition of Nakadanasou.

5 Onsen Hotels in Kita Karuizawa

1. Kose Onsen Hotel

You can take a bath in the natural and continuously flowing open-air spring while listening to the pleasant sounds of the running river and gentle rustling of the trees. You'll also have the luxury of solitude while bathing outside in their private reserved bath. On the outer wooden deck, a picturesque backdrop of snow-laden foliage can be seen during the winter, and a chorus of lively birds can be heard in the summer. 

2. Hotel Green Plaza Karuizawa

3. Yamadaya Onsen

4. Jizogawa

Their distinguished repertoire of dishes is made with specialty ingredients from Gunma Prefecture. The 3 different course options, called Matsu, Take, and Umi, involve a sukiyaki nabe (Japanese hot pot), Yamato pork grilled on magnolia leaves, and ji-dori (domestic free-range chiken) nabe, respectively. You can inquire about your meal plan when making a reservation. Paintings and flowers decorate the interior, and the cozy, welcoming elegance characterizes Jizogawa.

5. President Resort KARUIZAWA

President Resort KARUIZAWA offers natural hot spring baths with a view of a scenic expanse that includes Mt. Asama and the Shirane mountain range. The blissful, steamy springs are all situated to capitalize on the surrounding scenery. You can experience the elements of each season in their open-air baths, accompanied by saunas, jacuzzis, a beauty salon, and a spa relaxation spot.

The resort also offers recreational activities like golf, tennis, skiing during the winter, as well a varied selection of other outdoor activities. They also offer cottages where pets are allowed, and the resort generally has the means to accommodate many different interests over the course of your stay. You can enjoy the pleasant scenery while taking in the refreshing Karuizawa air for a resplendent vacation at this resort.

Experience an Unbelievably Relaxing Vacation in the Hot Springs of Karuizawa's Ryokan

Karuizawa once flourished as a post town where travelers could rest amidst their travels during the Edo period (1603-1868). Since then, the area has evolved into a popular summer vacation spot, initially by foreigners, then later by locals. As such, the region melded different cultural influences while seeking to harmonize with its surrounding nature. The result has been the establishment of a globally renowned resort area with fancy restaurants, fashionable shopping outlets, and some stellar hot springs. Karuizawa starkly contrasts the bustle of metropolitan areas in the densely populated areas of Japan, and the pristine natural springs in the tranquility of its fresh air, clear streams, and plentiful wildlife is a spectacular environment to kick back and clear your head.  

 

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Translated and republished with permission from: SPIRA (formerly known as Relux Magazine)



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